3D Printing
Although 3D printers are fairly affordable nowadays I originally explored 3D printing through my local maker space years ago. If you’re new to 3D printing and want to try it out check if your local library offers free access to a printer or a local maker space etc.
If you’re looking for free 3D models I recommend checking out thingiverse.com, but there are certainly other sites out there.
3D printers are not only a lot of fun, but are quite useful. When the Covid-19 pandemic first started and we experience shortages of PPE (personal protective equipment) local groups of people with 3D printers organized and starting printing PPE. Over the course of 2020 I ended up printing 135 parts for face shields myself and my local community printed and donated thousands more.
There are other useful applications for 3D printers. A couple of other examples are printing a vacuum attachments that fits into the lint trap of my dryer (customizable designs available for download here), or a new latch for the sliding door on a storm door.
And then there are just fun uses that seem to defy of what you’d think would be possible. The best examples I have there is a fractal pyramid and the scissor platform jack that is printed as a single piece and fully functional.
It probably took about 14 hours to print the pyramid (4.25” x 4.25” base and about 3” tall), but it came out great and is kind of mesmerizing to look at.
You can download the STL file here: thingiverse.com/thing:1356547
Fully functional scissor jack platform that prints as a single piece. Check out the design file here: thingiverse.com/thing:925556
