7 hobbies that are even better with a 3D printer

You don't need any specific hobbies to justify a 3D printer, but it certainly helps. Though the act of 3D printing itself can become a hobby of its own, there are many other pastimes that can benefit from a machine that can turn digital files into physical objects.

Homelab and computer tinkering

Whether your homelab consists of a single Raspberry Pi or a rack of switches and servers, being able to 3D print items can be a great help. Perhaps the most obvious use is being able to 3D-print enclosures, even custom ones, for single-board computers.

But there are many more uses, particularly when it comes to organization. You can print holders to attach mini PCs or drives to desks and monitors. If you have a rack for your homelab, there are often items that you want to put in it that don't fit properly (and slide around). Printing custom brackets to better store your devices keeps your homelab tidy and makes maintenance easier.

Cable clips are one of those items that you probably shouldn't make a habit of 3D printing at home . That said, as your homelab grows, you might have to make some "interesting" cable runs (like grouping a whole bunch of Ethernet cables). Custom clips let you route these in a pleasing manner.

If you're into PC building and gaming, you might also be interested in some PC mods that can be 3D printed . This includes adjustable brackets to prevent GPU sag, custom fan mounts, and even housings for ultralight mice . If you want to print your own keycaps for mechanical keyboards, then you might be better off with a resin printer .

Tabletop and board games

Tabletop gaming, roleplaying games, and even the humble board game can all be great excuses to "invest" in a 3D printer. The benefits are pretty obvious here: use your 3D printer to produce miniatures, things to organize your hobby, and tools for tracking and augmenting your sessions.

The potential cost savings on miniatures here is huge, with so many models available online presenting only a modest material cost. You'll still need to prime, paint, and finish them yourself; so much of what makes the hobby so satisfying remains. Resin printers are best for smooth prints at higher resolutions, but standard FDM (filament) printers can yield decent results too.

You can even take things a step further and design your own custom units or characters to print. This gives you a wholly unique experience, plus you can release the models for others to use and share your love of the hobby. The same is true of terrain, including floor tiles, buildings, organic features like trees, and more.

For the more traditional board game fan, there are whole games that can be 3D printed . Even card games can benefit from trays, holders, unique character pieces, and replacement parts that disappeared long ago. Who doesn't want to play a round of Monopoly as a mini Benchy ?

Miniatures and model-building

Though the distinction between miniatures and tabletop gaming is slight, not everyone who wants to print a miniature is into Warhammer 40K. Maybe you're just a fan of neat-looking spaceships, want to decorate your boring desk with models from games like Fallout (like Riker the Sergal's mini nuke above), or are looking to bring your own creations to life.

One group that seems well-represented within the 3D printing community is model railroad enthusiasts, and it's easy to see why. Not only can you print and finish your own rolling stock, but you can also create scenery, supports, buildings, and even model local landmarks in a way that's not possible when buying mass-produced models.

Woodworking

I hadn't realized how useful a 3D printer could be for woodworking until I stumbled across some insanely popular YouTube channels that fused (joined?) the two hobbies.

Jigs are commonly used in woodworking to hold pieces of wood at specific angles for cutting, drilling, or joining. Being able to design and print your own jigs can be a lot quicker than building one from wood, plus you can modify or replicate the design on demand.

Beyond this, tool adapters are another big draw. Dust collectors are particularly useful since each brand uses a slightly different port size, which makes attaching to a single catchment system a pain. Solve the problem by printing a part that's tailored to whatever combination of tools you happen to have or design one from scratch.

Beyond this, 3D-printed organizers have use in almost any situation but are especially relevant in a shop setting where you have a large amount of small parts to organize. Keep your screws, nuts, bolts, nails, tacks, pins, washers, plugs, and more in perfect order using a system like Gridfinity .

Pet ownership

You might not describe pet ownership as a hobby (for many of us, it's more of a compulsion), but it's another part of your life that could benefit from a 3D printer. As a cat owner, I have a ridiculously long list of cat toys that I want to print, from balls with other balls hidden inside them, to modular cat entertainment systems .

All furry friends can benefit from AirTag collar attachments that cost a few cents' worth of filament compared to the $15 they sell for online.

Be especially careful when printing toys or food items. Toys should ideally be printed with 100% infill to prevent them from shattering, especially if you're using PLA. Flexible TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) may be a better choice for toys. The same advice regarding 3D printed food items applies to pets as it does to people.

RC cars and quadcopters

Some hobbies require more spare parts than others. Radio-controlled (RC) cars and quadcopters, particularly lightweight FPV drones, tend to eat plastic. A 3D printer could save you time and money, while empowering you to create your own parts and designs.

Repairs can take hours if you print your own parts rather than ordering them, a process that takes days or weeks. Some models might be old enough that getting spare parts simply isn't possible, or you can design your own parts that can withstand higher speeds than traditional injection-molded plastics.

For drones, the benefits are similar. Crashes can be common, and being able to replace mounts and bumpers has a clear benefit. You can also print your own parts from TPU, a soft and rubbery plastic that absorbs impacts far better than brittle plastics.

The idea of 3D printing a complete drone (aside from the electronic components and motors) sounds great in theory, but unfortunately, 3D printed materials lack the rigidity necessary for optimal flight.

Cosplay and costume building

Cosplay is the pastime of dressing up like a character from your favorite video game, anime, TV, movie, or other media. 3D printing has revolutionized cosplay, making it possible to construct true-to-lore props, masks, and expensive items like chainmail. Many of these items require printing in multiple parts and assembling, since they're so large.

If you've always wanted to attend a con as one of your favorite characters, a 3D printer will open a world of possibilities. Like wargaming and miniature work, the "fun" of finishing a model by hand isn't compromised. This also applies to anyone who loves Hallow'een, live-action roleplay (LARP), and other excuses to get dressed up.

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3D printing is more accessible than ever, with printers for every price point and hobby. Picking one is the hardest part, so do yourself a favor and give up on finding the "perfect" 3D printer .