From using Arduinos with CNC shields to now having a full-fledged WiFi-equipped circuit, 3D printer controller boards have come a long way. They’re the brains of any 3D printing setup and are responsible for controlling, coordinating, and executing all of a printer’s functions. If you’ve bought a fully assembled 3D …
3D printers come in all shapes, sizes, and price ranges. Some offer great value, some offer great features, while others are a great combo of both. The 3D printers under $1000 price range fall in a sweet spot where they’re great for both hobbyists and semi-professionals alike. The recently released …
First layer adhesion issues or the extruder skipping steps during the initial layers are common problems when working with 3D printers. They are often caused by improper bed leveling and can significantly affect the quality of your 3D prints and, consequently, your 3D printing experience. To aid in bed leveling …
If you are looking to buy a 3D printer for kids, it can be challenging to find one that is both easy and safe enough for a child to use. Since 3D printing does pose some safety risks (especially for young users) and has a potentially steep learning curve, it’s …
Improper nozzle temperatures on your 3D printer can lead to a variety of problems. Oozing and stringing filament on your 3D printed models are some of the most noticeable. Similarly, you might run into your extruder skipping steps randomly when trying out a new filament. So, how do you figure …
How to Use a Temperature Tower for Better 3D Prints Read More
The Creality Ender 3 is a versatile budget 3D printer with a generously sized heated bed that makes it great for using all sorts of high-temperature and specialty printing materials that aren’t always feasible to use with cheaper 3D printers. Finding the best filament brands, however, for your Ender 3 …
The Ender 3 series paved the way for a new generation of cheap, well-built, and feature-rich 3D printers, providing similar printing quality to higher-priced competitors. The latest V2 and Pro models improved over the design of the original Ender 3, but even those can be improved further with upgrades and …
A few years ago, the thought of having a resin 3D printer in your homes or offices might have seemed absurd. But fast forward to , and we have plenty of options that cater to a wide variety of audiences. From $200 to upwards of $2000, there is a 3D …
Resin 3D printers will suit you the best if your main objective is to get highly detailed 3D prints with a smooth surface finish. On the flip side, if you’re looking for a 3D printer that can be used with less post-processing and to print larger-sized objects, an FDM 3D …
Resin vs Filament 3D Printers: What’s the Difference? Read More
Yes, 3D printer fumes can be dangerous. In the 3D printing process, the melting of plastic releases harmful particles into the air. Notably, the melting of ABS, PETG, and Nylon filaments emits particles that may induce headaches, nausea and irritate the eyes and nasal tract. 3D printers are getting increasingly …
There are many benefits to using an enclosed 3D printer. For example, it provides a much higher level of safety than an open-frame printer, as it contains all the heated components within the printer enclosure. This helps to keep fumes and particles from escaping, which makes using it safer for …
Ever wondered about turning your 3D printing hobby into a profitable business venture? We’re here to tell you that there are several ways to make money with 3D printing even as a beginner. In this guide, we’ll examine the best ways how to make money with a 3D printer, which …
PLA filament is one of the most popular materials for 3D printing, thanks to its ease of use and forgiving properties. However, if you’re just starting out, it can be difficult to know which brand is the best PLA filament and what to look for while buying it. In this …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 3D printing, it is likely to at some point end up with stuck filament in a PTFE tube. Whether it is broken filament in a Bowden tube or a clogged piece of filament stuck in the PTFE tube of the hotend, it must be dealt with before you can …
Threaded inserts are a great way to add strong and long-lasting threads to 3D prints. While it is possible to tap screw holes directly in 3D printed parts, these threads often wear down quickly. This is because the thermoplastics that we use for 3D printing are rather soft. To create …
Plant labels (also known as plant markers, garden markers or plant name tags) are useful accessoires for any gardener. They let you identify your plants and make it easier to keep track of and organize your garden. As someone who does some occasional gardening, I too found myself looking for …
One of the best ways to create eye-catching 3D prints is to print them in multiple colors. This is often referred to as multicolor printing. It is a great way to add extra color to your prints without having to resort to post-processing techniques like painting. Dual extruder 3D printers …
Linear guides are an essential component when it comes to building 3D printers, home CNC machines, and laser engravers that need some kind of linear motion. Unfortunately, high quality linear guide rails are often too expensive for hobby projects. Cheaper ones are available (typically from China), but they can come …
How to Improve the Performance of Cheap Linear Guides Read More
After building the frame, I have made some further progress with the new 3D printer. I installed the Z carriage of the printer and mounted and aligned all other components that facilitate the motion on the Z-axis, such as the linear rails and lead screws. As expected, aligning the linear …
Time has come to build a new 3D printer. While the previous 3D printer I designed and built 5-6 years ago is still in use, I run too often into its limitations. This is starting to impact my workflow and honestly also affects my enjoyment of 3D printing. To solve …
When left out in the open, 3D printer filament can absorb moisture from the air. “Wet” filament can ruin our prints, and thus this is something that we want to avoid. In order to prevent filament from absorbing moisture, we need to properly store it. This means we have to …
IKEA ALEX drawer units are a great way to organize all kinds of stuff. The stacks of deep drawers offer a lot of space for storing a variety of things. Both in my home office and workshop area I use a lot of ALEX units to store tools, parts and …
For a while I have wanted to improve the lighting on my desk. I didn’t really know what to build until I came across Opossums’ amazing 3D printed LED bridge lamp on Thingiverse. The lamp has a great design and I wanted to build it, but for my application I …
A while back my sister and her partner asked me to help them find a solution for the cat litter that falls out of their cat’s litter box. Often after the cat does its business some of the cat litter sticks to its paws. As the cat walks out of …
In 2011 I became interested in 3D printing. Being able to design and print objects was (and still is) an amazing concept to me. After reading more into it I decided to buy a Makerbot Thing-o-Matic 3D printer kit, which was the go-to 3D printer kit for hobbyists at the …
