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@@ -39,22 +39,30 @@ At the beginning of 2025 I bought myself a [Bambu A1 Mini](https://uk.store.bamb
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My general philosophy when buying this printer was that I wanted to use it to print useful and functional things. I didn't want to fill the house with a bunch of useless plastic that would end up in landfill before long. A year on, I think I've largely stuck to that principle.
These make great gifts for friends and family showing places important to them.
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## 5. Ikea Organization Inserts
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_By: [NotSure](https://www.printables.com/model/968016-ikea-raskog-sorter) and [d4v3ig](https://makerworld.com/en/models/1265694-ikea-raskog-organizer-trays)_
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<STLViewer
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Our [IKEA RÅSKOG](https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/raskog-trolley-white-30586783/) trolley is great, but the storage is basic. Luckily, [NotSure](https://www.printables.com/model/968016-ikea-raskog-sorter) and [d4v3ig](https://makerworld.com/en/models/1265694-ikea-raskog-organizer-trays) have designed some inserts that break up the shelves into more useful storage.
@@ -112,6 +127,7 @@ I needed a bottle cage for my bike, but off the shelf versions clashed with my b
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I really didn't think that at the start of the year I'd be writing passionately about the utility of being able to design and print the perfect hook but here we are. They were the first thing I printed in January and the last thing I printed in December. Standard adhesive hooks are often ugly or the wrong size. Designing my own allowed me to match our needs and decor and the objects they hold.
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### Magnetic Bike Helmet Hook
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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rotationX={Math.PI*1.5}
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rotationZ={Math.PI*1.5}
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cameraDistance={200}
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color={'#b3b3b3'}
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color={"#b3b3b3"}
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/>
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I embedded two magnets into the back. They snap onto a metal panel in our utility cupboard, holding our helmets securely without damaging the walls.
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### Wavy Hook
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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These hold work lanyards in our hallway. A neat trick I have found is to use a wavy pattern to embrace the 3D-printed texture rather than trying to hide it, the objects end up looking more premium and intentional that way.
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## 7. Cable Wrap
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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Our dehumidifier doesn't have built-in cable storage, so I designed a 3D-printed cable wrap attached it with some double-sided tape and solved that problem.
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## 8. Storage Boxes
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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cameraDistance={420}
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/>
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My partner Maisie needed some storage boxes for the therapy toys she uses at work. This was actually one of the things that made Maisie excited about having a 3D printer in the house.
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My partner Maisie needed some storage boxes for the therapy toys she uses at work. This was actually one of the things that made Maisie excited about having a 3D printer in the house.
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## 9. Ortlieb Pannier Buckle
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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cameraDistance={50}
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/>
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I lost the buckle for my Ortlieb pannier bag, and replacements were hard to find so I got the calipers out and modelled a replacement.
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## 10. Clothes Airer Foot
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_By: Brooke Hatton_
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<STLViewer
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color="#2c2c2c"
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/>
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One of the feet on our clothes airer fell off and went missing, making it unstable. Instead of buying a new airer, I measured the existing feet and printed a replacement. It's held up well over time and saved us from unnecessary waste.
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## 11. Laptop Stand
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Holds both my home and work laptop, freeing up space on my desk for more 3D printing!
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## Honourable mentions
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### Board Game Organization
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When you get a 3D printer find your favourite board game and search for "3D printed organizer" for that game. There are often awesome designs that make setup and storage much better. For example [this UNO card box by Tridense](https://www.printables.com/model/576903-uno-cards-hardcase) holds all the cards in a compact box that's perfect for travel - much better than the cardboard box they come with.
[Gridfinity](https://gridfinity.xyz/) is a modular storage system that uses a grid of interlocking bases and containers. I've printed a few of these to help organize small parts like screws, batteries, and sewing supplies. The modular nature means its easily expanded or reconfigured as needed.
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<img
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src="/models/gridfinity.jpg"
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alt="Gridfinity Storage"
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style={{ width: "100%" }}
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/>
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[Gridfinity](https://gridfinity.xyz/) is a modular storage system that uses a grid of interlocking bases and containers. I've printed a few of these to help organize small parts like screws, batteries, and sewing supplies. The modular nature means its easily expanded or reconfigured as needed.
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## FAQs
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### What Plastic do you use?
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-**PLA:** For decorative or indoor items (hooks, maps).
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-**PETG:** For items needing heat resistance or durability (bike cage, outdoor parts).
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@@ -226,11 +246,13 @@ When you get a 3D printer find your favourite board game and search for "3D prin
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I generally spend £10-15 per kilogram spool of PLA or PETG. The [bike bottle cage](#5-bike-bottle-cage) used about 50g of filament, making the material cost roughly 50p.
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### What sites do you use for finding models?
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I mainly use [Printables](https://www.printables.com/) and [Makerworld](https://makerworld.com/en/models). Both have a huge variety of free models.
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### What software do you use for designing models?
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I use [OnShape](https://www.onshape.com/) for most projects because it is free for non-commercial use and works in any browser. It is parametric, so I can easily adjust dimensions at any time. If I need to edit files that OnShape cannot import, I use [Fusion 360](https://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview).
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### Do I recommend getting a 3D printer?
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Yes, if you are the kind of person that enjoys making things. I've loved being able to take a problem or need and have a solution spend some time really enjoyed being able to take an annoying problem or issue around the house and within a few hours have designed or found a solution and printed it out.
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Yes, if you are the kind of person that enjoys making things. I've loved being able to take a problem or need and have a solution spend some time really enjoyed being able to take an annoying problem or issue around the house and within a few hours have designed or found a solution and printed it out.
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