When I bought my 3D printer, I didn’t have any great expectations of value for money—but it definitely feels like my Bambu Lab P2S has paid for itself.I’m not just talking about my bank account, either—there are some other pleasing upsides to 3D printer ownership.My new Switch 2 grips are great At a fraction of the price of the retail equivalent Close The last thing I printed, two days ago, was a set of grips for the Nintendo Switch 2.
My console has sat largely unused for the past couple of months, with a backlog of games piling up that I’ve been meaning to play.One of the biggest upsides to the Switch is its portable nature, but I’ve always found it a bit cramped for longer play sessions and games that demand a bit more in terms of dexterity.Instead of buying a set of $60 grips that I wasn’t even sure would fit my hands properly, I spent about $1 on filament to print my own.
The result is transformational.Not only have I literally saved $59 plus postage, but I feel like I can properly make use of the console for the first time in its oh-so-cozy portable form factor.So far, all I’ve done with this opportunity is become horribly addicted to again, but I no longer think twice about hand cramps before reaching for the console.
The convenience of 3D-printed fixes shouldn’t be overlooked It’s not always about the money saved Money is one thing, but time and effort are another.I 3D-printed some custom wall plugs to fix a broken awning winch a few weeks ago, and by doing that I was able to avoid buying several different sizes of plugs and having to drive an hour round-trip.I fixed the problem before I’d even made it back from the store.
The hardest part is remembering that many household fixes can be solved with a printer.You can 3D-print all sorts of helpful items, from door shims to spare parts.With parametric models, you don’t even need to design your own prints.
If you do take the time to develop the skill, you’ll be able to make almost anything.I’ve greatly expanded my camera lens and filter options Adapters ahoy Close Camera lenses are expensive, and over the years I’ve collected quite a few of them.I don’t take photos quite like I used to, but I’ve managed to rekindle the hobby a bit over the last year with my 3D printer’s ability to create adapters.
By far the most exciting are those that allow me to adapt my Sony mirrorless for use with other lenses.This allows me to use Canon, Nikon, and some of the weirder 35mm-era lenses I’ve collected on a completely different camera system, without autofocus.Add to this the camera’s ability to create fine threads for use on filter adapters and manipulate the way light enters the lens for fun bokeh shapes, and I’ve managed to get a lot of value out of a few grams of filament.
A hidden AirTag mount might save my bike And my fake trackers aren’t bad either Item finders like AirTags can’t stop your stuff from being stolen, but they can help greatly in its recovery.The only problem is that you need to find somewhere convincing to hide an AirTag so that it’s not immediately disabled and thrown away.While looking at 3D-printed AirTag holders, I discovered a bicycle saddle AirTag mount that fits to the underside of a saddle neatly out of view.
This is just one of many options, with others like decoy reflectors, bottle cage mounts, and AirTag holders for hiding the item finder in suspension forks and cranks.I’m in the process of buying a new bike, and I’m wary of bike theft.An AirTag mount like this—many of which don’t even exist at retail—delivers a bit of security that money can’t necessarily buy.
On top of this, I’ve also made a few decoy item trackers to deter thieves.I’m starting to think differently about solutions and prints My eyes have been opened I’m a firm believer that if you enjoy something, you shouldn’t feel bad spending money on it.That is to say, a hobby can “pay” for itself in pure enjoyment, fun, and inspiration.
3D printing can become something of a hobby, particularly if you’re fond of functional prints that can level-up your power tools or fix your messy desk.There’s also an endless number of projects to take on, from printing your own speakers to creating your own smart home accessories.I have a long list of things I want to make and items I’ll eventually need to print, saved for a rainy day.
I also have a new outlet for my intrigue and boredom, plus a means of experiencing what genius ideas other people have come up with.Yes, I’m cognizant of the waste involved in producing plastic items at home, but this skepticism is what makes me print things I know won’t immediately make their way into the recycling.Considering a 3D printer? Learn why print quality is one of the last things you should be concerned about.
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