Trinkets and toys are fun, but a 3D printer really shows its value when you start fixing stuff with it.That was one of the main reasons why I bought a 3D printer in the first place.With three years of printing under my belt, my home has never been running smoother.
Add How-To Geek on Google Add as Preferred Source Follow on Google Discover Personally, I find it fun to fix things with my 3D printer, and it's not always about printing a copy of a broken part.Sometimes, what needs "fixing" is an inefficiency, and the only solution is an object that simply doesn't exist.A tipsy spice rack The simplest of fixes Close Let's start with something that was shockingly easy, but has made a big impact.
I have one of those classic expandable tri-level spice racks in my kitchen.It's great, but there's one problem.The size of the rack is not an exact multiple of the width of my spice jars.
In other words, a jar is always sitting right on the edge of where the rack expands, and it will tip over if I grab the jar next to it.The solution was a simple "leveling block." I measured the width of the expansion and the height difference, then created a basic rectangle to fill the space.To cut down on filament, I printed it without a top and bottom.
Now, my spices sit perfectly.Fridge water pitcher doesn't fit One of my very first 3D prints Around the same time that I got my first 3D printer, I also bought a Brita fridge water dispenser.Immediately, there was one problem with it.
The plastic frame around the glass shelves in my fridge creates a lip.To sit flat, the dispenser has to be pushed further away from the edge — blocking the spigot.The solution was a base with a cut-out underneath the front edge.
It raised the dispenser up a bit, and the cut-out allowed it to be slid forward far enough to use the spigot.I also tilted the base slightly forward, so when the water gets low, it naturally moves toward the spigot.Making smart home buttons blend in Custom light switch plates My smart home has its fair share of buttons, and getting these buttons to blend in without looking ugly isn't always easy.
Thankfully, we basically solved this problem already with switch plates.I just wanted to make them work for buttons, too.If you buy smart home buttons and switches from a big box store, you can probably find switch plates for them.
However, I have an assortment of buttons from random brands, so I needed to make my own.Thankfully, it's easy to find existing models of switch plates online.All I had to do was find a double switch plate and cut out the shape of my button.
Fixing a coffee maker without spare parts Make it work to keep it out of the trash I bought a pour-over style coffee machine back in 2018, and it's my favorite one I've ever owned.Sadly, two important parts have broken since then: the glass carafe and the filter basket (separate accidents on my part).I couldn't buy replacements, but I didn't want to trash a perfectly functional machine.
So, I improvised.First, I found a glass carafe that was roughly the same size.A simple fix.
The filter basket was harder to swap — that's where 3D printing saved the day.I bought a ceramic coffee dripper, but it sat very precariously in the machine.I designed a "mount" of sorts that makes sure the dripper is placed in the correct position and gives it a bit of support.
It works! A box of tangled cables When rubber bands and Velcro aren't good enough The common solution to a box of tangled cables is rubber bands and Velcro straps.Personally, I've just never liked either option.Both technically work fine, but they're annoying to take off and on.
I wanted something that could slide on and off super easily so I'd actually use it.The fix was an extremely simple peanut-shaped "clip." All I have to do is bunch up a cable and slide the clip on.Sliding it off to use the cable is obviously easy too.
I printed a bunch of these in a couple of different sizes, and it's been working for me ever since.Keeping the fridge less sticky The dark side of maple syrup Close One thing to know about me is I love waffles, and I love maple syrup on top of those waffles.I keep a small syrup dispenser in my fridge topped off from big jugs of locally made syrup.
No matter how neat I try to be, the dispenser always gets a bit sticky.I recently decided to finally fix this problem with a drip tray.Me being me, a simple tray wasn't good enough — I added a maple leaf pattern in the bottom for fun.
Now, I can keep the fridge shelf and dining room table just a bit neater.That's what I call a —never mind.
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