It's time for another collection of 3D printing projects, and this week we're focusing on things you can make and do complete before Monday arrives. This week's ideas aren't just models that you print; they're activities that will give you something to do beyond waiting for filament to melt and harden again.
Print and assemble model kits
Tim Brookes / How-To Geek
Model kits can be the perfect weekend activity, but they can also be a bit pricey. So why not 3D print your own in a matter of hours? Use a filament and color scheme of your choice, then flex your finishing skills by painting and scuffing the model by hand to make it look real.
There are all manner of these kits available, including classic military models like the F14 Tomcat and SR-71 Blackbird , the Star Wars themed AT-ST walker and Tie Fighter , and cars from the iconic Volkswagen Golf Mk1 to exotic Formula 1 open-wheel racers.
I'm also fond of 3D puzzle models, like the T-Rex puzzle card kit I printed and assembled. I only wish I'd had some glow-in-the-dark filament to really make this guy pop. I've added similar velociraptor , stegosaurus , and triceratops puzzles to my list (but there are heaps more on repositories like MakerWorld and Printables ).
The keywords you're looking for if you want to find more are "model kit" and "3D puzzle," depending on what you're after. Like the kits you can buy in the shops, the supports can leave small marks behind, but you can always lightly sand the pieces to get them looking smooth.
Printable molds for candles, planters, soap, and more
SKFproject.com / Printables
Prusa's latest model contest is all about casting molds , and the submissions are well worth a look. There are printable molds for almost all manner of useful and decorative items, and the best part is that you can use them as many times as you like once you find a design that works.
Some highlights include the excellent candle molds featured above (plus a low poly Minecraft candle mold ), a simple two-piece soap mold , a donut bath bomb mold , candle holders including sculpted and rectangular designs, a negative vase , concrete planters , and even a grenade snowball mold .
Many of these come in two or more parts, and those are going to give you the most success since you should be able to remove each separately. A light coating of mold release oil (or even cooking oil) is often recommended when using these molds. It's best not to use these molds for food items owing to the issues that 3D printed items pose to food safety . If you go ahead and cast concrete items, remember to use some sort of vibrating tool to help the concrete settle and wait a good 48 hours before removing the mold.
A functional printing press
Open Press Project
The Open Press Project is an initiative that is designed to get traditionally expensive printing presses into the hands of artists the world over. In addition to selling ready-made printing presses (with metal rollers), the founders have released the files used to print them for free so that anyone can make one at home.
According to the project's FAQ , the press is broadly compatible with a range of techniques: "All intaglio and relief printing techniques can be used with our presses, including etching, engraving, drypoint, mezzotint, aquatint, photo-etching, collagraph, carborundum, chine-collé, monotype, blind embossing, linocut, woodcut, etc."
The 3D-printed version is built for PLA, prints on smaller printers like the Bambu Lab A1 mini and Prusa Mini+, and uses a printed roller rather than a metal one. There's a pay-what-you-want eBook that's full of tips about getting the most out of your press, plus the Open Print Exchange is an archive and map of work produced using these presses.
Open Press Project
You can find the STL files on Thingiverse , where they've been since 2018. In addition to filament and time, you will need two M5 bolts (around 50mm in length) and two M5 hexagon nuts. You will also need small printing press blankets. There are detailed instructions online that should make assembling your press relatively easy.
I love 3D printing things that are ready-to-go right off the build plate as much as the next person, but these projects offer even more satisfaction through creating, building, and experimenting long after your printer has fallen silent. Check out last week's projects if you're looking for more things to do!
