{"id":14870,"date":"2023-03-28T14:25:23","date_gmt":"2023-03-28T14:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the3dsourced.wpengine.com\/?p=14870"},"modified":"2023-04-08T01:48:25","modified_gmt":"2023-04-08T01:48:25","slug":"small-3d-prints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3dsourced.com\/rigid-ink\/small-3d-prints\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Small Things to 3D Print – Easy & Quick Pieces"},"content":{"rendered":"

You’ve received your free sample, or just have a small amount of filament left. But now what, what can you actually print with it? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s no need to waste it. There are plenty of cool small 3D prints you can produce with just 30g worth of filament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve compiled a list of my 7 favorite tiny prints that are actually<\/em> useful <\/em><\/strong>if you’re lacking a little inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each object can be printed using a 10m (or 5m 2.85mm) filament sample, at least once over. Where possible we\u2019ve even included a direct link to the downloadable file<\/strong>, so you can print it yourself!<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t

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  1. Spare Quadcopter Blades<\/a><\/li>
  2. Working Bearings<\/a><\/li>
  3. Custom Guitar Picks<\/a><\/li>
  4. Belt Tensioner<\/a><\/li>
  5. Spiral Vase<\/a><\/li>
  6. 3D Printer Upgrades<\/a><\/li>
  7. Micro Ruler<\/a><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\n\n

    Spare Quadcopter Blades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    UK Robotics have used their PLA sample filament to print these brightly visible rotors for their quadcopter. For something like this, you can never have too many parts. And who wants to wait days for replacements?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3D printing is much faster (for once??). They were really happy with the color they received, which we think goes nicely with the rest of the cat chaser<\/s> quadcopter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more<\/strong>: our guide to 3D printed drones<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"\"Ultimaker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Working Bearings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"Printed<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This was printed as one piece, straight off our Zortrax in our Silver ABS. It only weighs 10g, so you could print 3 of these with your free sample. The finish quality is great, which means it turns really freely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Spins beyond 1000rpm \u2013 although not for long, it\u2019ll probably melt. Not technically \u201cuseful\u201d \u2013 but we like to think it\u2019s not pointless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Custom Guitar Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This can be really fun; make any design of guitar pick you like. We might recommend ABS\u2019s stiff flexibility for this, but PLA will work too. If you\u2019re in a band, why not hand out custom guitar picks at your next gig for a memorable takeaway?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    OK, so it might not have the same impact as throwing wads of cash at the audience, or (allegedly) biting the head off a bat, but it\u2019ll be considerably cheaper and less messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more:<\/strong> 3D printed guitar files you can download<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Belt Tensioner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"3D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You\u2019re probably thinking, why would I need one of those? Well, belts on your printer can slacken off over time, and who wants to pay for a replacement belt or go through the hassle of replacing it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you notice square edges forming on your prints, you could be suffering from a case of belt looseningitis. Go for the quick lazy man\u2019s fix and print a belt tensioner. We saw a guy with 3 of these on one belt, he may be on borrowed time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can download the belt tensioner here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Spiral Vase<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                                                               Belt Tensioner by Tyrin on Thingiverse<\/em>\"3D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We think these vases look great. We love them, they\u2019re easy to print and very economical to run (the inside is so small, you can only really fit one stem inside \u2013 why get a bouquet when a single rose will do?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Forget scrambling around late on 13th<\/sup> Feb to get some petrol station flowers, just leave one of these bad boys printing overnight and get a pretty flower from the garden. Wake up; perfect & effortless valentines gift.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    We should probably mention at this point that just as a homeless person might give questionable financial advice, you probably don\u2019t want to take much notice of our relationship tips. And good look finding a \u2018pretty flower\u2019 in the garden mid-Feb. STL available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more:<\/strong> 3D printed vase STL files you can download<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    3D Printer Upgrades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"3D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There really are a lot of mods you can do for your printer. This one looks like the feeder mechanism to accompany a dual extruder upgrade<\/a>. OK, so as you can see this was unlikely to be printed with a free sample \u2013 as it\u2019s the same color on the spool (we know, we know, you don\u2019t miss a trick).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more:<\/strong> the best Creality Ender 3 upgrades<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more:<\/strong> Creality Ender 5 Pro upgrades<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/path><\/svg><\/span>Read more:<\/strong> Creality Ender 5 Plus upgrades<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Micro Ruler<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \"3D<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This is the genius of @boncester, called \u201cRule of Thumb\u201d. Small enough to be with you all the time, allowing you to measure a host of things up to 5cm long in 0.5cm precision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s clever, dead simple stuff like this that makes us smile. Download your own from Thingiverse<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Feel inspired yet? This is just a fraction of what\u2019s possible with your free sample. The important thing is, don\u2019t overthink it \u2013 just print something and see for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For reference, if you’d like to know how many meters are on each size spool for different materials and diameters, you can check out our filament spool length chart here<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n