Since acquiring a 3D printer, our family has been engaging in daily printing sessions. This spontaneity began when we were inspired by a toy made with a 3D printer, shown to us by a friend of my child. However, my initial challenge was figuring out what to print without diving into complex projects that might lead to failure.
To address this, I turned to MakerWorld, a platform featuring a vast collection of free 3D models. Here, I’ll share six models that my child and I printed, which captured our interest, including their print times and our experiences. This information may help others considering a 3D printer purchase or those already owning one and unsure what to print.
What is MakerWorld?
MakerWorld is a 3D model sharing site operated by Bambu Lab. Users worldwide upload their creations, which can be downloaded for free after account creation. The platform is beginner-friendly as many models include "print settings" from the uploaders, simplifying the printing process significantly.
6 Free Models That Captivated My Family
-
Fidget Spinner with Printable Bearings
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 1.2 hours
- This spinner amazed us by printing even its bearings. My child loved how well it spun, and I found myself frequently playing with it.
-
Spring-like Spinner
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 1.6 hours
- With its unique shape and springy texture, this spinner exceeded my expectations in performance.
-
Illusion Spinner
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 53 minutes
- This fascinating spinner creates an illusion of a floating ring. I initially printed it too large but resizing it to about 80% improved its usability.
-
Infinity Cube
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 1.2 hours
- This endless clicking toy provides constant entertainment, perfect for busy hands.
-
Mini Bamboo-Copter
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 17 minutes
- Quick to print and fun to flick, this flying toy impresses with its performance.
-
Lightweight Glider
- View Model
- Print Time: Approximately 24 minutes
- Although delicate, this resin airplane flies remarkably well. I plan to test it outdoors for an extended experience.
Tips for Beginners
From my experience with these prints, I learned a few helpful tips:
- Start with quick prints: Items that print in 17 to 24 minutes are great for immediate play and are excellent for getting used to your printer.
- Adjust sizes as needed: Sometimes, printed items may need resizing to suit your needs, which can enhance usability.
- Expect thin parts to be fragile: Keep a spare for delicate components like glider wings to avoid disappointment.
Our 3D Printer and Filament Choices
All items were printed using a Bambu Lab A1 mini, a compact and user-friendly printer. Printing directly from MakerWorld was seamless:
- Printer: Bambu Lab A1 mini 3D Printer
I primarily used PLA filament for printing:
- Filament: DEEPLEE PLA PRO
I also experimented with a glossy finish using PLA silk filaments, available in various colors:
In my earlier article, I elaborated on why I decided to purchase a 3D printer.
Conclusion
Thanks to free models, our family has enjoyed printing everything from spinners to airplanes. The thrill of seeing something come to life from the printer remains the most rewarding aspect of this hobby. Moving forward, I’m eager to explore generative AI for creating custom 3D models based on my child’s ideas. If there’s interest or success in that, I’ll share my journey in a future article.
Feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to learn more about specific prints!