Satisfaction means different things to different people.For some, it’s completing a complex set of instructions in order to build something truly impressive, for others, it’s something altogether more tactile.Sometimes it’s finding another way to keep your hands busy while you focus on other tasks.
This week’s 3D printing projects hopefully touch on all of the above.Dune Weaver kinetic sand table Fear (of projects like this) is the mind-killer The Dune Weaver is a web-controlled kinetic sand table that uses a steel ball, magnets, a Raspberry Pi, and a microcontroller like the ESP32 to draw mesmerizing patterns in sand.While that sounds like a lot of components, the project is designed to use 3D printing wherever possible while using easily available materials (like IKEA furniture) for everything else.
The project is completely open-source (with paid versions available) and includes support for LED strips, a pattern library, a web interface, playlists, schedules, and even works with Home Assistant.The Hairy Lion Mane character syndrome The Hairy Lion is a unique 3D printing project that rewards patience in order to create a lion figure with a shaggy mane.The figure prints with its mane attached to a tough plastic support.
You then have to use scissors to remove the hair from the support as carefully as possible.Once you’re done, you can use a hairdryer to heat and soften the hair and style it as needed.The end result is surprisingly organic-looking, considering the project is 3D-printed.
Planetary gears fidget spinner Hear me out I’m not a huge fan of 3D printing dust collectors, but I’ll make an exception for a good fidget toy.The infinity cube is one of my favorite print-in-place models—I’m still fiddling with it months after printing.The planetary gears fidget spinner might be even better.
It’s a spinner that sits on your finger and moves as you flick it, and the interaction between the inner and outer gears is fun to watch.It’s also quieter than the fidget cube, which makes it arguably a better way to keep my hands busy during work calls.SolidSlime It’s not solid, nor is it slime SolidSlime is another satisfying print-in-place model that sells itself as a less messy alternative to real slime.
It comes in three varieties: a small pocket-friendly version, a larger palm-sized toy, and a “mega matrix” two-handed end boss.The idea is to mimic the fluid feel of slime in your hand.The author has even included some extras to print, like display bases on which to leave the toy when you’re not busy fiddling.
Toothpaste (or any tube) squeezer Useful satisfying Turn the frustrating act of getting the last little bit of toothpaste out of the tube into a satisfying action with a ratcheted toothpaste tube squeezer.There are many such models on repositories like MakerWorld, but this is one of the better-reviewed versions.It requires some assembly, which seems to hold up better than some of the other print-in-place models.
Try scaling it up (or down) to use with larger or smaller tubes.Helix core optical illusion Looks can be deceiving Not all models need to be useful to have value.Optical illusions, like the helix core, confuse your brain while simultaneously entertaining you.
It’s fun to show them to friends, family members, and anyone else who isn’t sick of hearing about your latest 3D printing adventure.Subscribe to the newsletter for new 3D-print project ideas Unlock more 3D-print builds—subscribe to the newsletter for curated project ideas, downloadable models, and practical build tips.Whether you like kinetic sand tables, print-in-place toys, or household gadgets, the newsletter fuels your next printer run.
Get Updates By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can unsubscribe anytime.This particular model makes it seem like the internal structure is moving up and down, which is impossible given where the model stops and starts.
It prints in several parts and requires around 75g of filament.Sierpinski fractal pyramid Can you count all the triangles? The only print on this list that doesn’t actually anything, the Sierpinski fractal pyramid takes the concept of the Sierpinski triangle to its natural physical conclusion.It’s an equilateral triangle, subdivided into smaller equilateral triangles, which creates something of a feast for the eyes that you’ll want to pick up and inspect from different angles.
Designed for PLA printing, the model presents a great opportunity to use a filament with a fancy color, finish, or even gradient.The author notes that the seven-level model breaks MakerWorld’s STL limits (since the website slices models as they are uploaded), so this version should be downloaded in 3MF format instead.Expect to wait around 10 minutes for the model to slice before the printer kicks in.
Bambu Labs A1 mini 3D Printer Build Volume 180x180x180 Printing Speed 500mm/s The Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D printer is ready to go out of the box and can have you printing within 30 minutes.Offering full-auto calibration, this compact 3D printer features a 180mm build volume and is compatible with the AMS Lite for multi-color printing.It also features built-in vibration and flow-rate calibration, which are typically features only found on more premium printers.
$299 at Bambu Lab Expand Collapse Bambu Lab P2S Build Volume 256x256x256mm Printing Speed 600mm/s The Bambu Labs P2S 3D printer is ready to go out of the box and can have you printing within 15 minutes.It features up to 20-color printing with the AMS unit, has an upgraded built-in camera for remote monitoring and time lapses, and has an enclosed body for printing even high-temperature filament.$549 at Bambu Lab $549 at bhphotovideo $550 at Micro Center Expand Collapse Bambu Lab AMS 2 Pro A multi-material system for Bambu Lab printers with active air vent 65°C filament drying, air-tight filament storage, a brushless servo feeding motor, Bambu's signature RFID filament sync, and compatibility with up to up 24-color/material printing by connecting more AMS 2 Pro units.
$359 at Bambu Lab Expand Collapse Looking for more projects? Check out last week’s surprisingly portable 3D printing projects.
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