Repairing things is one of the best reasons to get a 3D printer, and it might just give you the push you need to learn to model items for yourself. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are some examples of how a 3D printer can come in clutch and save you money.
Print parts that are no longer for sale
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Sometimes, an appliance or a tool will break, and sourcing a replacement part is impossible. If the item has plenty of life left in it, like a power tool with a broken button but a fully functioning motor, you can try modeling a replacement part and performing the fix yourself.
When someone jumped on Reddit and posted a fix for a vintage can openerat least two other people in the comments were having a similar issue (and one even requested the print file to make the fix for themselves). Someone else created a replacement door latch and winding mechanism for a Soviet-era film camera (good luck finding parts for that).
Without a functional 3D print, these items would be relegated to display pieces or, worse still, landfill.
Pricey OEM parts
I confess that my main inspiration for writing this article is the number of fixes I’ve seen posted for refrigerators on Reddit over the years. It’s a problem that many of us have had: a bracket or shelf breaks and becomes functionally useless, then the manufacturer wants an unreasonable fee to replace it.
A 3D printer can help you repair door shelves with a bracket and some plexiglass, PETG and scrap woodor even by reusing the existing broken design. The same is true for freezer compartments with broken door catches. In the past, I’ve paid to replace parts like this but now that I have a 3D printer I’d rather dedicate some time to the problem and develop my modeling skills instead.
Toys and other items that aren’t “worth” repairing
If, like me, you’re not too fond of the disposable commodity mindset where things are thrown away rather than repaired, you might need to get into 3D printing. Children’s toys are particularly relevant here, with replacement parts typically not offered, even in durable objects.
Take the humble NERF gun, for example. One Reddit user identified a problem based on a missing piece of plastic, guessed what the plastic part should look like, and printed a working replacement. Another created a 90º bracket for a set of goalposts that had broken (and now has the model for the other side, when that goes).
Luggage is another example, and one user printed a replacement suitcase handle. If you’re going this route, make sure you print it in something tough since you know what those baggage handlers are like.
High-wear items
I’ve replaced the door pin on my dryer twice in its ten-year lifespan. Not only was it a mistake on the manufacturer’s part to use plastic, but this is a high-wear item that is liable to break since it’s constantly rubbing and impacting the catch on the inside of the door. The next time it goes, I’m firing up the printer.
Hinges are another high-wear item, so you might find yourself in the same position as another Reddit user whose dryer door hinge cracked. The person posted a picture three years after modeling and replacing the part with a PETG print, and it’s still going strong. They even improved the design with some added screws for reinforcement.
A microwave is another household appliance that tends to get used a lot. Much of the time, the latch will fail before the electronics do. When the door no longer closes, the microwave is as good as useless. A replacement latch can come to the rescue, and you might not even need to model it yourself.
Knobs are another part that can crack, split, and fall off. You might find an item in a thrift store that’s in great condition, apart from a missing knob. As long as you can figure out how the mount works, there’s nothing stopping you from printing your own.
Sure, the replacement might not be as hardy as the injection-molded original, but once you have a solution, you can just print it again (and maybe use PETG or ABS next time).
Things your landlord won’t fix
Before buying the place I live in now, dealing with landlords and property managers was the bane of my existence. Getting things fixed was such an ordeal that I picked my battles carefully and put up with everything else. A 3D printer fits the bill perfectly, since fixes can be as temporary or cheap as you like.
When you rent, you can’t necessarily pull the place apart and work on a permanent fix. So you’re left with “temporary permanent” fixes that stay in place until they fail or you move out. One example of this is a spacer for hinges to prevent the door from dragging on the floor. Another is a printed mount for a cheap doorbell replacement that fits on the old model.
Small improvements to items you don’t want to replace
Sometimes there are things around the house that do the job just fine, but require a small tweak to eliminate friction or a point of failure. A good example is a faucet that looks good but wobbles a bit too much when you move the head.
Another example might be a Wi-Fi signal booster for better coverage, or mounts for sensors and other smart home upgrades.
Essential items that can’t wait
As someone who can’t function without their glasses, I’m not sure what I’d do if something happened and I had to wait two weeks for a replacement pair to show up. That explains why I’ve seen so many 3D-printed glasses fixes posted online, mostly for broken arms.
Another good example of an item that can’t typically wait is a key with a plastic cover. This would typically require the use of a pair of pliers in order to put enough force on the key to turn a lock. One Reddit user did this by pausing the print at the midpoint and adding the key to a channel, then printing over it.
Massive shout-out to the r/functionalprint community on Reddit, which is where I’ve found so many inspirational designs. If you’re feeling handy, you might also be interested in hearing how a 3D printer can be used to improve your power tools.