What You'll Need
I've been printing a lot of functional stuff lately, and these 11 designs earn their spot on my printer. No decorative nonsense — every single one of these solves a real problem you've probably run into.
- 3D printer (PLA works for most of these)
- Calipers if you need to measure anything
- M3 screws for some prints
- Superglue for assembly
The Prints
1. Cable Management Clip
Stops charging cables from sliding off your desk. Prints flat, snaps onto the edge. No supports needed. Takes 20 minutes.
2. Spool Holder Bearing
If your spool jerks while printing, this fixes it. Slips onto any standard spool holder. Uses two 608 bearings you probably already have from old skateboards.
3. SD Card Organizer
I kept losing tiny SD cards in my bag. This holds 12 cards in a case the size of a credit card. Snap-fit lid, no hinges needed.
4. Gridfinity Baseplate
This is the one that'll change your workshop. Gridfinity is a modular storage system. Print the baseplate, then print any bins you want. They lock together. You can rearrange everything in seconds.
5. Spatula for Bed Adhesion
Print a thin, flexible blade. Pops prints off your bed without scratching the surface. I broke three metal scrapers before printing this.
6. Filament Guide
Mounts to your printer frame. Keeps filament feeding straight into the extruder. Reduces tangles by about 90%. Print one, thank me later.
7. Hex Bit Holder
Fits in your toolbox drawer. Holds 10 hex bits upright. Each slot is labeled. No more digging through a pile of bits.
8. Cable Comb for Network Rack
If you run ethernet cables, this keeps them tidy. Clips onto a standard 19-inch rack. Each cable gets its own channel.
9. Wall-Mounted Toothbrush Holder
Drains water so nothing gets moldy. Prints as two parts that snap together. Stick it to the wall with 3M tape.
10. Filament Swatch Card
Before you print a whole project, print this. It shows layer adhesion, bridging, and overhang performance for any filament. You'll know exactly how a new spool behaves.
11. Screw Sorting Tray
Has 12 compartments sized for M3 through M8 hardware. Stackable. I have four of these on my bench. They never tip over.
A Few Tips
- Use a brim for the Gridfinity baseplate — it likes to curl up at the corners.
- Print the filament guide with PETG if you can. PLA works but PETG handles the friction better.
- For the toothbrush holder, make sure your wall is clean before sticking it on. Trust me on this one.
All the STL links are in the description. Go pick your favorite and get printing.
