I posted this in the Nerdery but I'm primarily using it around the house and in my barn to make useful things. I'm just starting out on simple things, but you can buy high temperature filaments to make parts for machine machinery, etc.. That's down the road when I get used to this.

If you want to go really crazy you can get a scanner and scan a part or device and just make it yourself. I think everyone will have one of these in the future.

Of course you can 3D print a gun too. ( Don't worry ATF I'm not doing this but will comply with all laws, if I ever do it, etc. ).

I have a Bambu PS2 with an AMS 2 spooler. I love this thing. Any other 3D printers out there?

So far:

Laptop stand
Can dispensers
Qtip dispenser
Coffee cup shelves
Fidget toy
Mixer attachment holders
Tape dispenser that automatically cuts tape
IKEA skadis boards and shelves and hooks.
Cord wrap/holder for kitchenaide mixer

Anyone else use one?

Yep p1s here with 2x ams 2. Done things with asa, pla, and recently tpu 95a.

Fidgets, Halloween props, qtip holders, lots of one off things like firewall brackets, license plate holders, this is fine dog, aggie helmet, and so much more.

I tried out a few glock mags. Turned out well, but definitely need to use a harder filament. Started having a few FTF after about 50 rounds. Wasn't as cost affective as I would like so I never tried it with something CF reinforced.

I design sports bag tags for kids to offset printing costs. Thought about going bigger with Etsy or Shopify, but don't really have the time to manage it. Local business keeps me plenty busy.

Yes AMS. I want to get another one for PETG and other filaments that need lower humidity. Keep AMS 1 just for PLA.

I bought a cheap filament connector and it works well.

https://a.co/d/0bQRHfU6

Running this thing constantly. I would sell stuff too but I'm not home enough to deal with all that.

P1s here as well.

Printed several car parts for project vehicles like switch panels
Tons of tool organizers for toolboxes. Some downloads, but most of my own design.
Prototyping parts for metal fabrication
Organizers for here and there
Magnetic case for Starlink receiver

I use Fusion 360 for designing things and I'm 100% self/YouTube taught so the learning curve is steep but very rewarding.

Dry your PETG and nylon once then put in an air tight box with desiccant bags. No need for a separate AMS.

Here is a good option. Guy has a 3D printer business.

How old is your son? Mine is 6 and way into building electronics, or just "making things", but I doubt he's ready for the software part of 3D printing. I've never used a 3D printer or the design software though, so maybe I'm wrong?

Next:

Use your 3d printer to print blanks for sand casting aluminum parts!

I know some Ags that have a big collection of very antique tractors - as in antique in the realm of antique.

For some models where they need parts that are unobtainable they will either scan the part on an existing tractor or get the dimensions from drawings - print the part and send it to the foundry for casting. Then machine the cast part to spec. 3d printing is a part of the process once achieved by whittling it out of wood.

He's 14, but he really got into it around 12. Kids are so good at computer programs he could probably get proficient by the age of 9. 6 is too young unless you do most of the work.

Here! My wife would definitely say I have a problem, my garage is pretty much out of room between the reloading bench and my printers/cnc.

Recently got a 3D scanner to build a custom mount for my scan gauge and a mirror mount for my son's car seat. Did I needlessly complicate the project… probably, but it was fun.

What kind of scanner? It's on my list of things I want to check out.

Rapid prototyping is incredible. But all these home projects are ******ed.

Qtip holders, coffee mug shelves? You got to be kidding me. Amazon has way better car seat mirror mounts. These are all lame excuses to play with the printer.

No offense of course.

Average Joe said:

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Oh, no offense, of course.

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Thank you I almost got mad. I never told anyone how to use their own stuff.

Average Joe said:

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What kind of scanner? It's on my list of things I want to check out.

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I went with the Einstar Rockit it's a laser/IR that works really well, although looks like Revopoint is about to release their new POP4, about 1/3 the price for very similar specs.

Don't intend on making money with it but have had a few projects in the past that could have used it. Working with mesh bodies and forms in Fusion isn't something I'd done before so took a while to figure out the best workflow. The car seat mirror was my first project with it and super pleased with the fit and the fact it was perfect on the first try.

CactusThomas said:

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Rapid prototyping is incredible. But all these home projects are ******ed.

Qtip holders, coffee mug shelves? You got to be kidding me. Amazon has way better car seat mirror mounts. These are all lame excuses to play with the printer.

No offense of course.

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Haha. No offense taken. Would definitely be cheaper in most cases to just buy the correct well engineered product, but where is the fun in that.

Have definitely paid for the printer with a couple projects though printing and investment casting odd ball gears and components that are no longer made, but would definitely not do this to "save" money


Edit to add, this was a $20 Amazon mirror that my son kept kicking around so I took the front bezel and mirror and reengineered the mount.

Investment casting is a process I have no personal experience with and never considered 3d printing for but that's a great example of something useful that this technology can do. I die cast a lot and have some background with sand casting.

OP mentioned 3d printing can "make parts for machine machinery" whatever that means then went on to say he makes fidget toys. I can't help but roll my eyes. But this thread has potential if we can skip over the dungeon and dragons figurines.

CactusThomas said:

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Investment casting is a process I have no personal experience with and never considered 3d printing for but that's a great example of something useful that this technology can do. I die cast a lot and have some background with sand casting.

OP mentioned 3d printing can "make parts for machine machinery" whatever that means then went on to say he makes fidget toys. I can't help but roll my eyes. But this thread has potential if we can skip over the dungeon and dragons figurines.

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I've made a few gears to replace broken ones from a table saw. Replacement handles for various tools in my shop. Custom mounts for hanging specific tools. A custom mount for a Furrion camera system for the rear view mirror when there were zero on the market. Countless jigs and fixtures. Car parts. Custom organization systems (gridfinity is amazing). And I'm sure I've missed several.

With the same machine I also make sports gifts, birthday gifts, fidgets, Christmas presents, custom keychains and bag tags, custom cheer medal holders, girls hair bow holders, random little animals and figurines, and lots of other kid stuff.

That's why 3d printing is amazing and valuable in all parts of life. Very few limits to what I can do.

Joe which printer do you have?

Teslag said:

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Dry your PETG and nylon once then put in an air tight box with desiccant bags. No need for a separate AMS.

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Is there an airtight box you bought or did you just print one? I have seen some people using a plastic cereal container that is the right size.

Average Joe said:

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CactusThomas said:

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Investment casting is a process I have no personal experience with and never considered 3d printing for but that's a great example of something useful that this technology can do. I die cast a lot and have some background with sand casting.

OP mentioned 3d printing can "make parts for machine machinery" whatever that means then went on to say he makes fidget toys. I can't help but roll my eyes. But this thread has potential if we can skip over the dungeon and dragons figurines.

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I've made a few gears to replace broken ones from a table saw. Replacement handles for various tools in my shop. Custom mounts for hanging specific tools. A custom mount for a Furrion camera system for the rear view mirror when there were zero on the market. Countless jigs and fixtures. Car parts. Custom organization systems (gridfinity is amazing). And I'm sure I've missed several.

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What kind of filaments do you use for things like this? Also, do you find the file on the internet, or do you design them yourself? What do you use?

2 Bambu P1S.

I use this one

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-20-Gal-Professional-Heavy-Duty-Waterproof-Stackable-Plastic-Storage-Container-with-Hinged-Lid-in-Red-246842/311485319

And this in there with the filament

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DampRid-10-5-oz-Fragrance-Free-Refillable-Moisture-Absorber-FG01FFESB/309191652

No issues so far on anything.

GeorgiAg said:

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Average Joe said:

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CactusThomas said:

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Investment casting is a process I have no personal experience with and never considered 3d printing for but that's a great example of something useful that this technology can do. I die cast a lot and have some background with sand casting.

OP mentioned 3d printing can "make parts for machine machinery" whatever that means then went on to say he makes fidget toys. I can't help but roll my eyes. But this thread has potential if we can skip over the dungeon and dragons figurines.

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I've made a few gears to replace broken ones from a table saw. Replacement handles for various tools in my shop. Custom mounts for hanging specific tools. A custom mount for a Furrion camera system for the rear view mirror when there were zero on the market. Countless jigs and fixtures. Car parts. Custom organization systems (gridfinity is amazing). And I'm sure I've missed several.

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What kind of filaments do you use for things like this?

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So, to be specific, these are the gears that raise and lower the saw blade. I used PETG for them both. If I used the saw daily I would probably go with Nylon or carbon fiber to be safe. Or, I could just print another set at any time I needed.

Polymaker randomly sent me a roll of nylon that I have been looking for a reason to use.

Edit: saw you added questions. It's a mix of both. I always check for someone else's design first. Adjustable jig designs are all over the place to print. If I want something for a specific measurement then I design it. Nothing fancy, just trying to get a consistent cut on multiple pieces of wood for the most part, or line up and space screw holes.

I've only done a few car parts. Replaced some broken vent covers on an old lease truck. Some shifter knobs. I know there are plenty of car nuts that go all out with body modifications, cooling systems, etc. I use ASA for everything car related. Even PETG will start to warp in Texas sun after some time.

For things like what he's describing I've used ASA carbon fiber. Have a starlink mount I made to secure my starlink mini to my bay boat's t-top. It takes a pounding with waves and UV/saltwater exposure and no issues so far.

GeorgiAg said:

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Teslag said:

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Dry your PETG and nylon once then put in an air tight box with desiccant bags. No need for a separate AMS.

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Is there an airtight box you bought or did you just print one? I have seen some people using a plastic cereal container that is the right size.

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I do the same thing as Tesla because it's cheaper. The cereal boxes add up fast in cost depending on how much filament you have.

For those of you with AMS do you dry it in there or do you dry it in the chamber or otherwise?

Problem with one AMS is that I have a mix of PLA and PETG filament and they have different drying temperatures. That's why I was thinking of getting another AMS. Eight spool options would be pretty cool

GeorgiAg said:

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For those of you with AMS do you dry it in there or do you dry it in the chamber or otherwise?

Problem with one AMS is that I have a mix of PLA and PETG filament and they have different drying temperatures. That's why I was thinking of getting another AMS. Eight spool options would be pretty cool

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I just have the first AMS, so no drying capabilities. I use a Creality Space Pi (dual model). Eight spool options is nice, but you could also just dry at PLA temps. It'll just take longer for the PETG to get dry.

PLA isn't very hygroscopic. You can dry it and leave it out for a long time before it needs to be dried again.