12 upgrades for your 3D printer that you can print yourself
3D printers allow you to create objects that solve problems, improve the products you own, and most importantly, make you smile. But they can also be used to create things that enhance the printer itself, and these are often the best first prints to make.
Poop chute
Probably the first thing you should print whenever you pick up a new 3D printer, the “poop chute” is designed to catch the filament waste produced by your printer. Waste is generated at the start of prints as the nozzle prepares for the task at hand, but also during filament changes in multi-color and multi-material prints.
You’ll find plenty of free templates for your particular printer on repositories like MakerWorld (Bambu Lab), Printables (Prusa), Thingiverse and others. My advice is to choose something simple, as some of the more elaborate designs can get stuck.
Side spool holder
Mounting the filament on the side of your 3D printer rather than the back can allow for smoother filament operation and make it easier to change the spool when the time comes. This will also allow you to move your 3D printer closer to the wall, at the cost of making it slightly wider.
Some printers, like Bambu Lab’s all-new P2S, have implemented this change in their revised design. Print your own side spool holder to upgrade almost any printer.
Bed scraper
A bed scraper is a tool designed to help you release models from the print bed without getting your greasy fingers on them (which can lead to adhesion issues). Some printers come with a blade that you can print support for (like the Bambu Lab models), and others have many models available that will get the job done.
Printing a scraper made from filament means there is less chance of damaging the surface of the bed, as plastic is much softer than metal.
Reusable filament spools
You can save money by purchasing filament refills, which do not include the plastic spool the filament is wound around. On Bambu Lab’s online store, this can save you $3 on PLA Basic, while some filaments only come as refills (although this may be due to supply issues).
Spools are necessary to keep your filament from unwinding into an unusable mess, and for multi-material systems and filament dryers to spin the material. There are many models online to choose from, with lightweight spools that only use around 150g of filament. Just be sure to print with a material that can handle higher drying temperatures if necessary.
Refill spools arrive on cardboard with ties in place to hold them together. Never release these links until you have loaded them onto a suitable reel, otherwise you risk a big mess.
Filament pliers
Filament clips attach to your existing spool and hold the end of your filament in place. The clip holds the end of your filament so it doesn’t unwind or get tangled while drying or storing (like this design from Thingiverse user Walter). These are small, quick prints that cost pennies but could save you time on rewinding and money on wasted filament.
3D printer enclosures
Locking up your printer can have several advantages, starting with the fumes. The enclosures trap particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) so they can be safely ventilated or filtered. They also provide protection by preventing dust and pet hair from settling on the hot filament, or preventing curious hands and paws from interrupting a print.
While you can buy ready-made cases, you can also print most of the parts needed to make your own (like this modular design for the Bambu Lab A1 and A1 mini by MakerWorld user Savadrox). Most take the form of a frame, for which it is enough to provide relatively inexpensive Plexiglas or similar for the sides.
Fan and ventilation adapters
Whether you have an enclosed printer with vents or an open bed printer in an enclosure, proper fume evacuation requires the use of a fan, tubing and adapter. Although you can design your own, there are many ready-made solutions online for attaching various printers to standard sized tubes.
From there, it’s a matter of attaching your tube to a window, for which you can find plenty of standard-size adapters online or try making your own. For a large gap, you may find that plywood is the cheaper option.
Carbon filters and HEPA media
If you’re happy with a simple filter on your printer’s vent, why not print a filter holder that fits cheap, readily available filters? Which one you choose depends on the enclosed printer you have and how it handles ventilation. BentoBox by MakerWorld user thrutheframe is currently one of the best-known examples, with revised versions available for newer printers.
When I received my Bambu Lab P2S, there was a QR code on the box that told me to scan it and print a toolkit. A quick browse of the model repository revealed that there are dozens of toolboxes available, from those that use print-in-place hinges to oversized models that provide a full complement of nozzles and other tools.
Have a place to store the tools you will need
Side storage
Although you can have a side spool holder on one side of your printer, why not put the other side to good use by storing your various tools there? This is a great place to store your scraper, flush knives, cutters, and the various other accessories you’ll end up collecting to perform basic printer maintenance.
Even though open bed printers don’t necessarily have “sides”, closed models have a lot of potential despite all that wasted space.
