3D Printers

How many of you have a 3d printer at home, or use one at work?

If you have one, what type of printer do you have?

What do you print, and do you mostly use files from sites like Thingiverse or Printables, or do you mostly do your own CAD designs?

Is your printer something that gets used regularly or is it primarily taking up space?

I bought my first 3d printer 2 years ago, a Prusa MK4. Bought it in kit form because something inside of me requires me to do everything in life the hardest way possible. I love that Prusa has an open ethos compared to most other printer manufacturers and that their printers are upgradeable, but the hype/high cost/missed promises they have had have somewhat turned me off on their brand. I have upgraded the printer from the original MK4 spec to MK4S, to Core One+, and the INDX 8 tool upgrade is on its way to me as I type this. Of course Prusa being Prusa they will send me a coupon code for the CoreOne+ Gen 2 upgrade kit once I have received the INDX kit, instead of shipping both kits together.

Most of my prints have been things I've downloaded from other sites. I am learning Fusion but my skills are still primitive. Using AI, Claude specifically, has helped me get some projects designed and across the finish line that I hadn't been capable of before. I print a lot of repair parts such as a new microwave oven handle, an axle for the scroll wheel on my dads tv remote (saved me the hassle of having an elderly person learn a new remote), and new handle grips for shovels, rakes, etc. I want to do more custom storage projects such as efficient tool storage as my Fusion skills improve.

The most usefulness from my printer comes as I can design functional objects for my use. I have no desire to sell prints or print figurines, dragons, etc.

 

I don't have one, but a friend owns one and I did buy a book about them, because I was curious as to their capabilities.

My friend works with tools frequently, so he prints out accessories to aid him, like small bins to hold screws & nails. I've also seen him print out a small board that helped him measure the diameters of screws. He's got a son who's about 12 years old who also uses the printer to make toys for himself. (I would have loved to have a printer when I was a kid- I used to make toys out of cardboard.)

3D printing is quite fascinating to me- I briefly worked in a machinist workshop and the creative process there was subtractive, as opposed to printing which is additive. Can't get over that contrast!

I don't know if getting one is in my future, but I would imagine that once you obtain one, you tend to find uses for it.