The 5 Best 3D Printer Accessories for Beginners

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Purchasing a 3D printer is just the first step for anyone who wants to start exploring what this type of equipment can do. Even though many models already come with a few basic tools to start the first processes, some additional 3D printer accessories make the routine even easier, especially for beginners.

This also doesn’t mean you have to build a bench full of extra tools. Knowing what matters before purchasing a 3D printer also helps you understand which elements are useful to you. Some handy items cost little while helping to solve several common problems that can arise during the first few weeks of use, such as measuring parts or cleaning, making them a worthwhile investment.

Although needs change depending on the projects you want to do or the printer you purchased, there are some items that are often recommended for 3D printer owners. This is why we have selected some accessories that can make your life easier, especially for beginners with little experience in this hobby.

For anyone new to 3D printing, a digital caliper can be a great help in better understanding part dimensions and reducing errors during first projects. Indeed, digital calipers allow you to precisely measure reference objects for models, in addition to checking the width, thickness and other details of a print as it exits the machine.

It is also a relatively small investment. For example, you can buy the Neiko Digital Electronic Vernier Caliper for $28 on Amazon. At this price, it allows you to measure objects up to 6 inches, or 150 mm, with a resolution of 0.01 mm, in addition to allowing you to quickly change the unit of measurement. The model also has an LCD screen, making it easier to read the values ​​during checks.

While this kind of precision doesn’t matter much to anyone who already downloads ready-made templates from the Internet, it’s still useful for anyone starting to create their own. For example, if you need a replacement part for something, you can measure the dimensions with the caliper and transfer these values ​​to the software.

Another accessory that can be very useful for anyone new to 3D printing is a flush cutter. This can help cut the tip of the filament before inserting it into the extruder, in addition to removing small pieces of remaining material. This helps a lot in finishing parts without requiring you to use a more expensive tool.

This type of tool also complements basic adjustments that improve the printing result, especially if your project uses a lot of media or requires manual finishing. So having a flush cutter nearby can speed up part cleanup and make printing much easier.

A relatively affordable flush cutter to purchase is the Xuron 170-II Micro Shear, which costs $12. Its blades are designed to make flush cuts in soft materials, while having a narrow shape to reach smaller areas. It is therefore very useful for cutting tight areas of a print more easily.

A deburring tool can make a big difference when first prints start to come out of bed with rough edges, edges, or small marks left by supports. The AFA Tooling Deburring Tool is a simple option for this type of job, as it costs around $15 and helps beginners achieve a cleaner finish without relying solely on sandpaper.

Additionally, sandpaper has some drawbacks, especially if you want to reach a tighter corner of a room. This isn’t always practical, especially if your model is smaller or full of details. So, having a rotating blade allows you to remove excess plastic with more control and reach those more difficult areas. The AFA Tooling version includes 11 high-speed steel blades as well as a rotating head that follows irregular surfaces. So, for anyone learning to deal with these imperfections, having one makes the manual finishing process easier.

While not every beginner needs to purchase a filament dryer right away, especially if they’re focused on printing with PLA, having one can be extremely helpful. This is because filament typically absorbs water from the air over time, which can affect the quality of your projects, even if it appears to be in good condition.

When this happens, the main problems that can appear are excessive stringing, rough surfaces, and weak lamination. For anyone wanting to work with more sensitive materials, like nylon or PVA, it’s important to consider a printing filament dryer, as they can deteriorate more quickly.

The Sunlu S2 Filament Dryer costs $46 and is a great alternative because it offers 360° heating and reaches drying temperatures of up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also feed the printer directly into the dryer while it is running. However, if you are a beginner and can store your filaments in a dry environment, you may consider investing in other equipment first.

Another accessory you can purchase if you are new to 3D printing is a plastic scraper from Home Depot or any retailer of your choice, as it makes the cleaning routine much easier for anyone new to a 3D printer. After a few completed prints, it is normal for some residue to remain stuck to the build plate and you cannot always remove it entirely by hand. So a plastic blade allows you to loosen this material without using something metallic that could scratch your printer’s build plate.

Knowing how to properly clean a 3D printer helps prevent residue buildup and other issues that can affect future prints. The scraper can be a useful addition and is not a huge investment, since you can find this accessory for just a few dollars online. Opting for a compact model also makes it easy to store, making it an accessible option for beginners who want to clean the build plate easily.

There are many accessories that someone interested in 3D printing can find, but many vary in usefulness, price, and complexity. To compile this list, we studied the top recommendations from 3D printer users and prioritized those that solve common problems beginners face.

We also favored products that are cheaper and easier to find on the market, precisely because accessories for beginners need to be more accessible. Besides price, we also considered the ease of use of these items and avoided tools that were too specific or required a certain degree of expertise to use.