50 Cool Things to 3D Print in January 2020
Bored of pointless 3D printer projects? Out of 3D printing ideas? Check out our January 2020 list of cool things to 3D print which are actually useful.
Like us, you’re tremendously excited by the possibilities of 3D printing. Unfortunately, the landscape is cluttered with trinkets, doodads, and ornaments. We’re in danger of drowning in 3D printed objects that nobody wants or needs.
Fight the tide of mediocrity! Let’s make stuff that’s useful! Here’s a list of cool things to 3D print, right now, today. Prove to your nearest and dearest that there’s an everyday and practical application of this wonderful technology.
Updated monthly under the guise of our very own printocracy, each month we remove the five least clicked models and replace them with five new printables. As the year trudges on there will always be something new, while the uninteresting items drift away. Simple!
Bowl Set - Table7 Collection
Let’s start the New Year nice and easy. No fancy projects. No complicated builds necessitating the purchase of extras; just simple, stylish bowls to hold all the nuts you’ve been cracking.
Who made it? UAUProject
Where to download: Cults
Most Common Metric Nut and Bolts - M2 Through M20
See, still nice and simple – no fancy-schmancy prints that are all style and no substance. Here’s a cluster of common nuts and bolts, from teeny tiny M2s (that we’d probably not bother trying to print on a desktop machine) all the way up to the chunky M20. Handy stand-ins for your next project if you’re in a pinch and need to hold something together.
Who made it? TheTNR
Where to download: Cults
Fully 3D-Printable Turntable
Turn things around this New Year, with this 3D printable turntable. Suitable for pairing with a 3D scanner or camera for photogrammetry (that or getting clean gifs of your best prints), this entire contraption can be 3D printed – no extras necessary.
Who made it? Bribro12
Where to download: Thingiverse
Ratchet Clamp Print-in-Place
A strip of interlocking teeth make this clamp self-locking, and being print-in-place too, it’s practically foolproof. Challenge: How many of these can you attach to someone before they notice? Let us know in the comments.
Who made it: Luis Carreño
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
PolyRocks // Climbing Holds
Stay-at-home curmudgeons that we are, the New Year brings a sense of optimism for the new that even we can’t deny. Time to try new things, go outside and take up a hobby or sport, get active and love life. Or, have the best of both worlds by populating your living space with these nifty rock climbing holds. Stay at home and be active.
Who made it: Devin Montes
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Nutcracker
‘Tis the season to inexplicably eat more nuts than the rest of the year. At least they’re hard-earned nuts though, physically wrenched from their shell in a festive show of strength that, again, is not typical of the rest of the year. Just buy shelled nuts people. Or don’t. If not, this nutcracker cracks nuts like nobody’s business.
Who made it? Riphaeus
Where to download: Thingiverse
Goodman AA
One of the more elaborate and involved builds we’ve featured on this list, the Goodman AA kicks VSCO to the curb with real physical hardware, most of it printed, and the satisfaction of a project well made. Adding a transparency filter of you choosing alongside variable depth of field for your smartphone snapping, the results are mind-bendingly good. Signing up to the Goodman website is necessary to access the files, but that’s no bad thing since there’s a bunch of other open-source camera and craft projects for idle hands to tackle.
Who made it? Goodman Lab
Where to download: Goodman Lab – (free) login required
Pandoro Tea Light Candle Holder
An easy print to ring in some little festive cheer, this Pandoro-inspired tealight holder has a lithophane-like effect when lit from within.
Who made it? Helder L. Santos
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Universal Zip Toggle
We’ve all been there. A zip pull breaks, curse words are said, and a hastily repurposed key ring becomes the only thing between you and a permanently open bag. But no more! This effortless two-part print has your back and then some.
Who made it? Josh Forwood
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Entitled Goose from Untitled Goose Game
Print out your own antagonistic Anatidae from hit goose simulator Untitled Goose Game. Available in single- and multi-extrusion versions for your post-processing preference, this print can be enhanced with a magnet to hold a variety of metal objects.
Who made it? gynni
Where to download: Thingiverse
Bottle Opener and Cap Gun
When tackling a problem, it’s often said not to try to reinvent the wheel. The simplest solution is often the best. But let’s be honest, if you could take the wheel and then launch it across the room for fun, that’d be pretty cool. For this bottle opener gadget, as with the Jar Dispenser above, all you need is a few simple printed pieces and an elastic band (plus a few screws) for the fun to commence.
Who made it? 3Deddy
Where to download: Thingiverse
Mechanical Keyboard - SiCK-68
More of a project than a simple printable, given the wiring and firmware fiddling involved, but this mechanical keyboard is, as its name suggests, too sick to pass up. The colors, the compactness, mechanical switches, and satisfyingly simple but beautiful printed parts all add up to a cool looking peripheral you’d feel proud to use. A little indulgence for those with the wherewithal to give it a go (we plan to!)
Who made it? FedorSosnin
Where to download: Thingiverse
Money Clip
Flash your cash on the down-low with this quick and easy print. Print on its side and feel that knobbly texture under your thumb as you fling a few fifties toward the barkeep… What drinking problem?
Who made it? YSOFT_BE3D
Where to download: Cults
Headset Holder
We’ll always have a soft spot for the Duck Headphone Hanger, but this can carrying solution is eminently cooler. We hope your high school French is up to scratch because the instructions are encapsulated in a slick YouTube video by French channel Heliox. Auto-translated closed captions to the rescue!
Who made it? Heliox
Where to download: Cults
Refrigerator Storage Box
Keep the one true love in your life organized, thanks to these nifty little storage boxes by Cults user Cerega. Slot onto your fridge’s shelf, and enjoy the endless possibilities of neatly organized dates (shout out to Jacob Tan in the comments.) ahem. What exactly are those in the photo? Wrinkly tomatoes? Answers in the comments, please.
Who made it? Cerega
Where to download: Cults
Flippy Desk Calendar
A colorful throwback to the days before the smartphone and being able to know anything, anywhere, at any time, this desk calendar serves as a helpful reminder to the cold passages of time. If you remember to change it each day, that is. A gift for the fastidious folks in your life.
Who made it? EUMakers
Where to download: Cults
Air Raid Siren - Hand Crank Version 2
Balcony Box
We’re not sure we’d leave it on our balcony, but one thing we can be sure of is that the Balcony Box is the most satisfying fiddly container. This printable cadre of parts slot together with no additional tooling, vitamins or adhesive, resulting in a sleek and compact container that spits apart at your beckoning.
Who made it: PlasticBarista
Where to download: Thingiverse
Shoe Support
Keeping your kicks high and dry from the catastrophe of closet clutter, the Shoe Support is a simple solution to a simple problem. Wedge your shoe into the opening and let gravity do the rest.
Some comments on the model raise the concern about the support digging into and potentially marking shoes — we’d recommend softening the edge with a fabric or cushioning of some sort.
Who made it: andy25lion
Where to download: Thingiverse
Reittec Polisher
This Reittec Polisher uses household items, easily sourceable electronics and a whole heap of silicon carbide sand to take the effort out of post-print processing. Once printed and assembled, all you need to do is throw your print in need of processing into the sand for a long tumble. Several subsequent tumbles in increasingly finer grades of sand later, and you have super smooth parts with not a lick of sandpaper or cans of elbow grease in sight.
The model’s maker outlines the basic assembly steps on the Thingiverse page, but expect to have to fill in a couple of the blanks. Overall though it looks simple enough. For a better look at the build check reittec’s Instagram page.
Who made it: reitter_m
Where to download: Thingiverse
Smart Wallet
Smart in the sense that a suit can be smart, the Smart Wallet packs a nifty set of compartments for your daily carry essentials into a sleek, pocketable design. With room for a key, parking ticket, credit cards, and a few bills, it subtly fans out to eject the cards housed within. Just don’t expect it to play Netflix, or turn your lights on.
Who made it: b03tz
Where to download: Thingiverse
Hose Connector Cusomizer
Ideal for connecting small tubes to slightly smaller tubes, or even – get this – bigger tubes, this connector design will save you a wasteful trip to the DIY store. Infinitely configurable as a parametric openSCAD file, you can tailor the design to your specific need. Worth a download, even if you have no immediate plan for it.
Who made it: Paul_Tibble
Where to download: Thingiverse
Dot.
Get your coat. No, we’re not leaving, we just need you to move it to these stylishly sneaky wall-mounted hangers. In addition to being a two-part print allowing you to customize with your filament color of choice, the Dot. system features a handy hidden compartment with a hook — ideal for keys, gum, money, more keys, and other cluttersome items.
Who made it? Mouche
Where to download: Cults
Parametric "Print in Place" Containers
We’re a lazy bunch here, which makes anything that’s print-in-place – giving complex function with the minimum of effort, no tinkering required – pretty special to us. And these single-print self-fastening boxes are pretty special. We could hardly contain our excitement for these containers if you will.
There’s even a Fusion360 file on the link, letting you scale the model as desired without ruining the hinge’s printability (scaling directly in Cura will mess with the clearance, loosening or tightening the hinge beyond usability.)
Who made it? Greg Zumwalt
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Sheep Toilet Roll Holder
Do you use a lot of toilet paper? Or do you find yourself constantly running out and yelling for someone to come save you? There’s no perfect solution, but this Sheep Toilet Roll Holder comes close by holding a whopping seven rolls at a time. Sure, you could have an ordinary toilet roll holder, but that would be baaaaad in comparison.
Who made it: Hiob
Where to download: Thingiverse
USB Cable Organizer
What is it? Do you have USB cables? Are they a mess? Is your life falling apart? If you answered yes to the first two questions, this handy organizer can help you out. It comes in four different versions, so pick the one that works best for your situation. It’s also portable, if necessary.
Who made it: Kanata
Where to download: Thingiverse
Bag Clip with Screw Cap
Your typical print-in-place bag clip gains a new ability — namely, a quick access screw cap. It’s one of those prints that’s so simple and effective; we wonder why no one thought of it sooner.
Who made it? Minkix
Where to download: Thingiverse
Phone Holder - Candice
Door Hold
What is it? Hodor door wedges, step aside. This simple solution to holding a door needs only a couple of strips of double-sided tape for a semi-permanent solution; no awkward kicking at a wedge necessary.
Who made it? Akiraraiser
Where to download: Thingiverse
Piggy PiggyBank
What is it? A funky looking hog designed to scoop up your spare change. Supports are needed for the rim of the cap on the bank’s underside, but besides that, all is as appears, with no trickery or advanced settings for printing. A simple piggy for a simple job.
Who made it? lecaramel
Where to download: Thingiverse
Geneva Roller Ruler
You ask a reasonable question, with no measurable timeframe the answer. They facetiously reply “How long is a piece of string?”. You fist-pump triumphantly, “I do, you metaphorical trickster.” Producing the Geneva Roller Ruler from your pocket, you yell “Behold.” Awe ensues; respect earned.
Be in no doubt about the length of turns of phrase, or indeed any turn, curve and non-linear stretches of things ever again, thanks to this 3D printable measuring device. Needing only a couple of Philips head screws and few printed parts, this Geneva Roller Ruler can help you measure along a path in 5mm increments.
Who made it: MechEngineerMike
Where to download: Thingiverse
Cylinder Texture Box
Cults user Syboulette adds to their collection of fancy screwtop pots with this hexagonally textured tub. According to the image, ideal for oats! Other grains are available.
Who made it: Syboulette
Where to download: Cults
Universal Auto-Rewind Spool Holder
Inspired by research into stiffness actuators, this adjustable auto-winding spool holder uses a 3D spring and adjustable clutch to rewind itself up to four full rotations. It’s the ideal holder for tidying up pesky material changes.
Who made it: VincentGoenhuis
Where to download: Thingiverse
Pen and Pencil Holder
Is it an iceberg? A melting beehive? The latter is most likely, given this creation is the work of Portuguese 3D printing manufacturer BeeVeryCreative. It’s cool, curvy, and keeps your stationery stationary.
Who made it: BeeVeryCreative
Where to download: Cults
Groovi Monster Sound Amplifier
The Little Box: Pencil Pot
Plantygon
Designed by PrintFutura for a growing collection of succulents, these stackable geometric planters can be configured to drain into adjacent blocks, or not at all (if you print the non-draining version). A simple and stylish print.
Who made it: PrintFutura
Where to download: Cults
Survival Whistle
This is a survival whistle of completely original design, which is rugged, easy to make and carry, and is very loud. How loud? Try 118 decibels for size! That’s more than enough to get you noticed in an emergency situation.
Who made it: Joe Zisa
Where to download: Thingiverse
Measuring Cube
The feelgood success story of 3D printing in 2018 is already here; a simple but totally ingenious measuring cube for use in the kitchen. Each side of the cube has a slot to measure out a foodstuff in either cups (for American cooking) or metric (for everyone else). Best printed in PETG material to maximize food safety.
Who made it: iomaa
Where to download: Thingiverse
Sliding Word Change Sign
The contents of a dishwasher are the Schrödinger’s Cat of household appliances; both clean and dirty until an object is removed or placed inside. Fact.
Tip this quantum game in your favor and know whether the cutlery is clean or the mugs are manky with this ingenious sliding dirty/clean text printable.
Who made it: MiddleFingerBoss
Where to download: Thingiverse
Pop Up Square Basket
Pimp your picnics with this M.C. Escher-esque collapsible basket. Portioned off into five cascading sections that hold their shape when extended, it’s marvelous design that prints in few parts and assembles with a dab of glue.
Who made it: PatternToPrint
Where to download: Cults
Self-Watering Planter
Houseplants dying from neglect? NEVER AGAIN. Print off this automatic plant waterer, and your conscience will remain clean. Particularly useful for kitchen herbs, where you can make them last up to a week longer by re-potting in this natty device.
Who made it: Parallel Goods
Where to download it: Cults3D
Labyrinth Gift Box
When it comes to giving gifts, cash is not the most imaginative of presents. Wrap up your notes in a more exciting package with this Labyrinth Gift Box. There’s only one correct path, so the lucky recipient will have to work at it a fair bit to unlock the prize tucked inside.
Who made it: Robert
Where to download: Thingiverse
Toothpaste Tube Squeezer
Squeeze every last drop of toothpaste from the tube with this toothpaste tube squeezer. It prints in three separate parts, and is wide enough to accommodate most tubes on the market. Not only a cool thing to 3D print, but also something to keep your breath minty fresh.
Who made it: Justin Otten
Where to download it: Thingiverse
Web Camera Cover
In an age where online privacy is diminished, fewer people feel comfortable with a front-facing camera on their laptops. Instead of ruining those clean lines with a bit of sticky tape or a post-it note, this 3D printed solution is a sliding door you can afix over the camera, so you can still use it for video-conferencing when you need to.
Who made it: Horizon Lab
Where to download: Cults
Stackable Hex Drawers
Phone charger cables, USB cables, HDMI cables, Thunderbolt cables, DisplayPort cables… Your office space is covered in a spaghetti of cables, are we right? Banish the mess with this set of hex drawers. The design is stackable too, so you can extend the hive as the need arises.
Who made it: Dan O’Connell
Where to download it: Cults
Card Deck Shuffler
Those prone to mid-shuffle fumbles, your Poker face-saving prayers are answered! MyMiniFactory user LarsRb has concocted this colorful creation with the sole purpose to successfully shuffle decks of cards up to official poker card size.
Who made it: LarsRb
Where to download: MyMiniFactory
Secret Butterfly Box
A secretive box for keeping secret things secret. Those out of the know will have a hard time cracking the sequences required to expose both the key and keyhole. Print in your prettiest filament to make a most magnificent gift.
Who made it: 3DPrintingWorld
Where to download: Thingiverse
Digital Sundial
Your eyes do not deceive you. This insanely cool thing to 3D print is a digital sundial. And it really does work. The shape of the sundial has been engineered to only let through the right rays at the right time and angle, so it can display the actual time at 20 minute intervals. Operational only during daylight hours, naturally, between 10:00 and 16:00.
Who made it: Mojoptix
Where to download it: Thingiverse
Image credits: All images copyright their respective owners