Thinking about starting a 3D printing business? Want to try to sell 3D printed items on the side? You may be wondering where to start. There are several ways to make money with a 3D printer, for example, you can open an online shop to sell 3D printed items, or …
Are you thinking of trying to 3D print with PLA filament? PLA is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing and an excellent choice for beginners because it’s easy to use and more economical than other filament options. Even so, there are some things you need to know …
PLA Filament: Tips and Settings for the Best 3D Prints Read More
SLA or stereolithography is an additive manufacturing process in which a 3D printer creates an object using photochemical processes. The 3D printer cures resin material layer by layer to create the entire 3D printed model. Parts created with stereolithography are accurate and have a smooth surface finish. There are numerous …
If you’ve looked through Thingiverse, MyMiniFactory, or other STL sharing sites, you’ve probably seen several kitchen utensils and other food-contact projects to 3D print. With PLA filament being the most common 3D printing material, “Is PLA food-safe?” is a common question. In this article, we’ll explain whether or not PLA …
The lower prices of 3D printers have made 3D printing accessible for many. There are lots of options available in the budget 3D printer segment that are great for anyone who’s looking to get into the hobby. However, with so many options to choose from, it can easily get confusing …
PLA and ABS are two of the most commonly used filament materials in 3D printing. They have very different material properties and are each utilized in different situations depending on the project and the 3D printer being used. In this article, we’ll look at PLA vs ABS in terms of …
As one of the most commonly used 3D printing materials, PLA is a versatile and affordable bioplastic. Its material properties make it easy to print with and compatible with even the most basic 3D printers, making it a favorite with many beginner printing enthusiasts. However, pure PLA filament has some …
If you’re familiar with 3D printing, you’ve probably heard of the thermoplastics PLA and PETG at least once or twice. As two common materials used in the 3D printing process, both PLA and PETG have advantages and disadvantages in certain situations. Ready to find out more? In this article, we’ll …
PETG vs PLA Filament: Which is Best for 3D Printing? Read More
If you are a passionate cosplayer (or just like to print props for decorations), 3D printing your own wearable helmet is a fun way to bring your costume to the next level. In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about finding the right helmet STL file …
3D printing has made it easier than ever to create detailed and accurate cosplay props and costumes to wear. A set of armor for cosplay used to take days to craft by hand, but with a 3D printer, you can create the base for your armor pieces in a matter …
Model building doesn’t have an age limit, despite some people’s tendency towards categorizing it as a children’s activity. In reality, most model kits are geared towards ages 16+, as most are too complex for younger building enthusiasts. So if you are an adult that wants to start model building, or …
It is an exciting time to get into 3D printed miniatures. 3D printers are now more than capable of printing excellent quality minis and the prices of these machines are at an all-time low. You can create, customize, and 3D print your minis right at home. Because of their small …
3D Printing Miniatures: Everything You Need to Know Read More
One of the struggles of owning a 3D printer is deciding what cool prints to make next. With so many 3D model sharing websites, there are endless 3D print ideas to try. In this article, we’ll give you our top picks for the coolest 3D printer projects and show you …
FDM 3D printing is a manufacturing technology in which a 3D printer lays molten plastic material in layers to create an object. It is also known as additive manufacturing because material is being added to build something, instead of it being removed from a workpiece. What exactly is the Fused …
STL is the default file format that is supported by almost all 3D printing software. With the popularity of 3D printing growing day by day, more and more people are looking to download STL files of their favorite 3D printing models. In this article, we’ll look at some of the …
If you enjoy 3D printing, making your own 3D models is the best way to use your printer to its fullest potential. Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned modeler, there is a wide variety of free 3D modeling and sculpting programs available to help you get started. …
For cosplayers, 3D printers are useful tools for fabricating large and complex props and costume pieces like armor, helmets, jewelry, and other accessories that would otherwise be difficult to replicate. Since cosplay props can be quite large and detailed, it’s important to choose the right type of printer for them. …
3D printing has come a long way since the 80s. However, it is the revolution in the software side of 3D printing that has gone less noticed all these years. Software for modeling, slicing, mesh editing, and 3D printer control have gone through some very substantial development in recent times. …
You might have come across the terms fused filament fabrication (FFF) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) in the 3D printing world. On the surface, there is no clear difference between the terms. Even 3D printing experts aren’t always careful to make a distinction. Similarly, many product descriptions on Amazon and …
D&D miniatures and figurines perfectly showcase how far 3D printing has come. The technology has gotten to a point where it is possible to design, create, and customize your very own minis! Especially resin 3D printers are useful for miniatures, as they can produce the finest of details with an …
If you regularly build or repair electronics, it is inevitable that at some point you need to crimp wires. While this sounds simple on the surface, the world of crimping is a complex one. Especially for hobbyists who cannot justify spending thousands on official crimp tools, it can be a …
Engineer PAD-02 Review: A Versatile Crimping Solution Read More
Crimping small contacts can be a challenge. Not only does the crimp tool you use need to be accurate and precise, it also needs to apply the right amount of pressure to conform the crimp terminal to the right shape. Using the wrong tool can lead to poorly crimped contacts …
Adding a Tremol-No system to your guitar is a great way to remove most inconveniences that come with using a tremolo bridge. Simplifying guitar setup, improving sustain and blocking the tremolo when you do not need it are some of its most notable benefits. In order to get these advantages, …
Guitarists that have used tremolo bridges know that they can be a nuisance at times. While they can add an extra dimension to your playing, they also cause problems with tuning stability, complicate guitar set up and make it impossible to quickly change tunings. Locking devices like the Tremol-No attempt …
Allparts Tremol-No Review: Challenging Yet Worth It Read More
Just like many other phones, the Huawei Mate 10 can end up with display problems that make the device unusable. A broken or cracked LCD screen, an improperly functioning touch panel or a completely black screen are some of the most frequent issues people run into. Luckily, if you deal …
3D printers are useful to have around, but unfortunately their noise can be a problem. They contain many components, like loud fans and stepper motors, that are far from quiet. While the noise of a 3D printer might be tolerable for a couple of minutes, it quickly becomes a nuisance …
If you work in engineering or the automotive industry, do your own maintenance or use the repair guides on this site, you might have come across the term “witness mark” before. In this article, I will explain what they are, why you might want to use witness marks, and show …
If you frequently deal with old lenses or live in a humid climate, you are probably already familiar with camera lens fungus. Lens fungus is microbial growth that makes its way into your lenses and quickly grows out of control in the right conditions. Because of its potentially harmful consequences, …
When deciding on whether 3D printing is the right hobby for you, it is important to take all 3D printing costs into account. Not only are there initial expenses you have to make, like filament and the device itself, but you also have to consider recurring costs. One of the …
Power supplies used in 3D printers, like the popular MeanWell PSUs, can get noisy. This is generally not a problem in industrial settings, but when you have your 3D printer placed in your (home) office or workshop, it can get annoying quickly. Aside from being obnoxiously loud, the noise of …
When it comes to shrinking heat shrink tubing, nothing beats a heat gun. But if you do not have one, what should you do? Rest assured, you can still use heat shrink without a heat gun. It responds to many sources of heat, so there are plenty of alternative tools …
How to Use Heat Shrink Tubing Without a Hot Air Gun Read More
Heat shrink tubing and electrical tape are both widely used for insulating, protecting and bundling wires. Because of their similar qualities, it is easy to assume that they can be blindly interchanged. This is not the case, however. The two products have several prominent differences. Depending on your project or …
Heat Shrink Tubing vs. Electrical Tape: Which One Should You Use? Read More
If you do any DIY electrical or electronics work, it is inevitable that you need to use heat shrink tubing at some point. It is a versatile product that lets you insulate wires, add strain relief, color code cables, and even more. With special types of heat shrink you can …
More often than not, you can find a can of WD-40 in someone’s toolbox, household or garage. Originally developed for the military, it is now used for hundreds of DIY fixes, from cleaning rust to removing paint smudges. You might have even heard of it in some form of the …
Digital multimeters are indispensable tools when it comes to working with electronics. If you are looking to buy one, you don’t have to look very far. Large hardware stores sell so many different multimeters that it can be hard to see the forest for the trees. The Fluke 115 is …
Lithium-ion and lithium polymer batteries are commonplace nowadays, and so are the problems that come with them. Most notably those caused by these batteries swelling up. Laptops with bulging keyboards or trackpads, smartphones with a bump in their screen or tablets that have formed a gap in their casing are …
Many people benefit from using a humidifier to increase moisture levels in the air. But while humidifiers are practical devices, it is also practically inevitable that they wear out over time and become louder. The most common causes of a noisy humidifier or vaporizer are issues with the internal fan …
When working with capacitors, especially high voltage ones, a capacitor discharge tool is essential. It is a device that helps you drain capacitors safely before handling them further. While you can buy a capacitor discharge tool, they are just as easy to make. It is a quick, simple project that …
Capacitors are common components in modern day electronic devices. They store a charge that can be released at once to components that need it. Capacitors can also be used to filter specific signal frequencies. When building, repairing or salvaging electronics, you can be certain of encountering them. Before working on …
Salvaging components from circuit boards and electronic devices has many benefits. Most notably, it gives you a bunch of free parts. But it is also a valuable form of education in product design and it reduces E-waste and its strain on the environment. In this article I will show you …
Ergonomically designed and always sharp, mechanical pencils are the ideal tool for artists, writers, designers and other creative professionals. Choosing the right mechanical pencil can be a tricky process, however. Because there are a lot of features to pay attention to, it can sometimes be hard to see the forest …
The 8 Best Mechanical Pencils for Drawing and Writing Read More
The Duet Wifi is a control board from Duet3D for 3D printers, laser engravers, and home CNC machines. I have been using it for my new 3D printer and have been happy with its features and performance so far. Unfortunately, I ran into an issue where I suddenly could not …
Heater cartridges are essential components in 3D printers. They make sure that the hot end gets up to the right temperature. Without one, a hot end would not get hot enough for filament to melt. If you want to upgrade a hot end heater cartridge, replace a broken one, or …
Hot End Heater Cartridges: Everything You Need to Know Read More
If you want to build your own projects, develop your coding skills, or start with robotics, the Raspberry Pi is a great piece of kit to have. With its many features, small form factor and low price, it is the ideal platform for countless DIY projects. But once you have …
It has been a while since I made a post on the new CoreXY 3D printer (tip: don’t start too many new projects at once). Lately I made some solid progress on it however, so I figured it was time for an update. Since the last post, I have added …
When buying a new power tool, you can find yourself having to choose between a lot of different brands. But if you ever decided to look at these brands more closely, you might have been shocked to find out that the most popular tool brands are owned by only a …
Which Companies Actually Own Your Favorite Tool Brands? Read More
Large monitors improve almost every computer setup. Whether it is to increase productivity or to get a better gaming experience, they are here to stay. To get the best experience, however, it is a key to use a monitor arm. These give you the best ergonomics and help reclaim desk …
If you want to repair electronics, you will greatly benefit from a microscope. Surface mount components are getting smaller and smaller, and there is only so much you can see with the naked eye. Nowadays, magnification is essential when it comes to the inspection of solder work, PCB traces and …
No toolbox is complete without a non-contact voltage tester. It gives you a quick, easy and reliable way to check whether a wire or outlet is carrying electric current. Since the first step in working on electric equipment is to make sure that it is not energized, you can see …
The 5 Best Non-Contact Voltage Testers to Keep You Safe Read More
Spring hinges are a great addition to any pair of eyeglasses. They let the temples (the long arms that rest on your ears) flex outwards, so that the glasses adjust to the shape of the head. This helps the glasses stay in place and makes them easier to wear for …
