Thursday, July 17, 2025
3D Printing: I can quit any time I want
3D printers always seemed like a neat toy but I could never think of anything I would actually do with one.
Then one day I wanted slow-opening blackout curtains, couldn't find a satisfactory off-the-shelf solution, and decided I needed a 3D printer to make it happen so I ordered one.
In the week or two it took to arrive, I starting seeing endless uses for the thing, and never did get around to the curtain opener. Go figure.
Here are some random things I made (all more functional than aesthetic), should they spark any ideas:
We had magnetic child locks for our cabinets, but they wouldn't work with our particular drawers, so I devised a lock using the (otherwise unused) cutting board as the secret key:
I was curious what would happen if I printed the thinnest possible wall (with some embossing), and could it support a long overhang?
Was quicker and cheaper to design and print my own RO system bracket than to find one that fit my exact parts.
Also made a brine drain spout:
And later an integral brine-drain with extendable filler hose for filling gallon jugs:
I don't have a picture of the finished item on hand, but this is the CAD image of a mold and stiffening insert for a silicone cork that goes inside a blender so you can make smoothies without sucking air an oxidizing everything (works great):
Cordy's brain case:
(Which by the way looks like this inside... Is it any wonder he doesn't like driving straight?)
Used digital scans from my dentist to make this phone camera holder with bite plates to make a stop-frame animation of my teeth during ortho:
Thermostat v2:
And finally, I ended up making roller blinds instead of a curtain puller. Just finished yesterday. Details coming...
