A 3D printer can produce an endless array of tools and accessories to enhance your existing hobbies.Since the weekend is the best time to get crafty, why not print a few things to get you in the mood this weekend? Some of these are just plain useful, others will help you dip your toes into a new hobby, and one is a weekend project all by itself.Painting palettes and other accessories For your next masterpiece These 3D-printed paint palettes give you very little to complain about if you want a quick solution for your next piece.
There is a range of designs available, in different sizes with different layouts for storing and mixing colors.The smallest designs use less than 40g of filament and print in under an hour (though you could probably speed this up with a different preset).This is of course one of many, with other designs like a mini palette that fits on your thumb, round designs, and wet palettes for acrylics that prevent the paints from drying out.
Another print you might want to consider is a cheaper copy of IKEA’s excellent arch light.Printing press for etchings, linocuts, and more Your weekend project is sorted Close There’s no shortage of 3D-printed printing presses out there, with the “original” Open Press Project having featured in this column before.But today I’m taking a moment to highlight the Dusty Press, a labor of love that includes some of the best documentation of any such project.
This is important, since many similar prints leave makers high and dry when it comes to assembly and usage instructions.The Dusty Press a weekend project, but one that can foster real creativity in the future.The whole thing is 3D printed, outside of a few screws, and the press can be disassembled to replace parts as necessary.
The total build requires around 1.7KG of filament (PLA is fine) and takes around 2 days to print (so you’d better get started).Kumihimo bracelet maker disc BFFs 4eva Kumihimo is a Japanese word that literally means “gathered threads” and refers to the art of making braids and cords from fabric.This technique can be used to create friendship bracelets using relatively simple or slightly more complex printed discs.
It’s an ideal afternoon craft idea to keep the kids busy, with the reward of actually making something in the end.Flower press ’Tis the season The delicate art of flower pressing rewards patience with a keepsake that will stand the test of time.This 3D-printed flower press has been designed with durability in mind, with the creator noting that they’ve attempted to address some of the other concerns with similar models online.
They have even created a tower for storing eight of these presses at a time.One MakerWorld user remixed the design slightly and uploaded it as a different printing profile with star-shaped screws, which should make it easier to tighten the press.Crochet hook set Crochet away Crochet looks like a pretty zen way to manipulate yarn into interesting patterns, and for that you’ll need some crochet hooks.
This particular set of interchangeable hooks includes long and short handles and hook heads, and there’s even a printable case available for storage.The author notes that some post-processing in the form of sanding is necessary to clean the hooks up after printing.Tools for clay sculpting Print a huge number of accessories I’m quite taken aback by just how many clay sculpting tools there are that can be 3D printed.
These range from a set of basic sculpting tools (from which you can pick and choose), to slab rolling guides of varying thickness, texture rollers, stamp wheels, and a helper for rolling perfect clay balls.This really is the tip of the iceberg, plus they work with Play-Doh too! Macramé rings, beads, and guides The art of knotting Macramé is the result of knotting fabric into decorative patterns, often used with planters and other hanging items.For this particular use, you’ll need beads and rings, which you can print yourself on demand as and when you need them.
You can also print a separator tool set to maintain consistent distances.There are also a good number of guides available for download, like rainbows, polygons, mountains, and more.A 3D printer can be used with a wealth of hobbies to foster creativity and pique your interest in projects new and old.
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