3D printing offers creative and practical solutions for makers, hobbyists, and professionals alike. In this second part of our practical tips series, we present more real-life projects — from functional adapters to clever organizers and useful workshop tools. These examples are intended to inspire you and demonstrate how versatile 3D printing can be in everyday life.
6. Gutter Downpipe Reducer
The downpipe of our rain gutter has a diameter of 80 mm, while the pipe leading into the rain barrel is only 50 mm. I couldn’t find a suitable adapter in the local hardware store. Buying new pipes wasn’t an option either, since we already had spare 50 mm pipes. So, using Fusion 360, a CAD program by Autodesk, I designed a custom adapter to reduce from 80 mm to 50 mm. It took three test prints, each about 45 minutes long, before the fourth version finally fit perfectly. The finished adapter weighs only about 80 grams of PLA and took just 45 minutes to print — a simple, low-cost, and perfectly fitting solution.
7. Windows for a Dollhouse
My wife’s aunt owns a large dollhouse. Over the years, several parts have gone missing — including multiple windows and window frames. One frame was still available and served as my reference. Using this frame, I took measurements and recreated the design in Fusion 360. The model was split into two parts: the window and the window frame, which made printing cleaner and easier. After printing, the parts were glued together with a bit of super glue and painted white. Although measuring and designing took some time, recreating the windows from wood would have been far more complicated.
8. Holder for Kitchen Accessories
Do you know the problem? Accessories for kitchen machines or tools like slicers often lie loose in drawers. In the original packaging everything looked tidy, but constantly taking items in and out is inconvenient. My slicer set includes four different attachments and a food holder. So, I designed a custom holder where each part has its own place. This keeps the drawer organized and all parts easily accessible.
9. Cutlery Drawer Insert
Our kitchen is from IKEA, but we didn’t like the standard cutlery inserts. So I decided to design and print my own inserts based on our needs. The big advantage: dimensions, compartments, and layout can be fully customized. With 3D printing, there are almost no limits — personalized solutions are often much more practical than off-the-shelf products.
10. Screw Measuring Tool
Screws and nuts in various sizes often end up mixed together on the workbench. With this small 3D-printed tool, sizes can be identified quickly, making sorting much easier. The print took only about one hour. If you don’t have a multi-color printer, you can pause the print at a certain layer and change the filament color. This makes labels easier to read and improves visibility.
The 3D printing projects featured here demonstrate how customised and practical solutions can be created without expensive parts or complex manufacturing. With a bit of creativity, a CAD program, and your 3D printer, you can design and produce items that perfectly meet your needs.
If you’d like something printed or need help with your next idea, feel free to reach out!
