I broke down and bought a 3D printer several months ago. I didn't want to buy a trinket maker (though we've made our fair share of little toys for the kids). I really wanted this thing to be a workhorse to add to the toolbelt.

There's a ton of designs you can download that are useful. The library of "stuff" is practically endless. Example - here's a screw gauge I downloaded and printed.



This is similar a tool you can buy straight from Amazon, but there are some great custom things out there that are unique that you wouldn't otherwise have access to. For example, someone has redesigned a chute for my miter saw that dramatically improves the collected dust.

These uses are neat and all, but not living up to the potential, IMO. I think to really take advantage, you've got to learn to use 3D CAD. It's taken a little time and a lot of CAD-related Youtube videos, but I've managed to find some unique uses that have been very helpful. It's invaluable for making custom brackets (got to be careful about the material you're using) and gauging tools.

I've used it for things like making a set of plates for routing a mortise and tenon. My wife needed a custom stamp for a friend, and I was able to easily pop one out in 15 minutes of CAD work, and 2 hours of printing. A stamp like this might otherwise cost $50+ and take weeks to ship.



Most recently, I've been looking to add some built-ins to a room. I'm pretty picky about the details when adding cabinets to a room. I've used the visualizer tools, but I've never liked the result, or had confidence in the final look. So here's an area we're looking to add two desks with shelves:



Was able to design to exact dimensions in CAD:



And then - print a scale model!!



I'm pretty sure the wow factor won't translate in a picture - but it's helped me with what I needed to tweak our design and make sure it works with the space.

So if you've ever thought about a 3D printer, and you consider yourself a tinkerer, I'd say go for it. They're fantastic little tools for prototyping, and a huge range of niche capabilities. For those of you that have bought a 3D printer, what type of unique uses are you getting out of yours?

I bought one a while back and quickly discovered what you did, it was mildly useful. I mostly did trial and error and wasted a lot of material, so I sort of stopped using it. I don't have the patience to go down the CAD rabbit hole. If someone would make a wysiwyg type software, or a software where you could just upload a drawing or picture and it puts it in CAD format automatically it would really make the 3D printer market take-off. I'm assuming this is will be an AI application

I do think the AI applications for something like this will be here faster and more robust than people realize. It won't completely eliminate the benefits of being able to do CAD work, but will surprise people by its usefulness.

I do not own one though I have been tempted to buy one - but I have enough distractions as it is.

However, we were at the Museum of Science and Industry (I believe) a couple of years ago with our son so we signed up for the 45 minute 3-d printing crash course.

Having the right software, some minimal instruction and then some helpers allowed for quick learning. I assume there are hobby clubs spread-out for people to join / attend. I think for something like this it is almost a must.

Cool scale model.

At first I thought you had a typo in your title. Then I realized it stands for "Do Yourself In".

Thank you for sharing
Some in my biz are using it

I know. I wish you could edit titles. Dang it.

I would love to get one, however every decent library best me had one and can generally reserve the time / print on them

I've never seen one at a library. That's kind cool.

I think if you were already good at CAD and component design, and had a very limited need, that might be a good option. But in my case, I've had to climb that learning curve, and don't think I could make it work. Plus, I really like having it on hand.

Now if there was a library with a metal printer, that would be awesome. I could figure it out in plastic and have them make it.

If they don't already exist, I would imagine 3d printer "cafes" will pop up with these services.

Our HS technology campus has 3d printers and also laser etching machines that can make impressive wood carvings and etch on things like Yetis.

Sort of like a FedEx/UPS Store for AM?

There's a technology campus here that has a lot of neat tools like that. I'm always disappointed that I can't use some of them, since they are 100% taxpayer funded, but that's probably a beef for a different thread.

If you have not watched it, The Peripheral on Netflix has a shop where people get complex 3d things printed at a shop (takes place in future).

Makes sense to have it from a machine cost / utilization, materials, support / maintenance, learning, etc.

Actually, a bit surprised Kinkos / UPS has not done such a thing. Maybe for them its counter productive. If you can make it local you don't need to ship it.

Thanks, I'll check it out.