Light Switch Lock (Light Switch Lock by galactic | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
It seems like every house has one - the light switch that shall not be touched. Usually, the switch has no obvious effect, but whether it disconnects an outlet or even turns on a light in a completely different room, it can be frustrating to discover that it was flipped who-knows-how-long ago. Luckily, this print is here to help you set it and forget it, fixing your switch in the correct position. Even better, the switch isn’t fully locked in place, so it can still be flicked, albeit with a little more effort, in case you ever do actually need to (even though you won’t).
Stove Knob Lock (Mabe Stove Knob Lock by ebobadillamtz - Thingiverse)
For those with young children in the house, this print is a great safety upgrade for your stove. These days, most electric stoves come equipped with a ‘lock out’ function, specifically to prevent little ones (or particularly mischievous pets) from turning on the heat when you’re not looking. But it can be annoying to remember this every time, and gas stoves typically lack this feature entirely. Thus, the appeal of an easy, automatic knob lock is obvious.
Buckles (Robust BUCKLES by rorys3D | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
With several sizes to choose from, these 3D printed buckles are ready to replace the broken backpack or luggage strap you haven’t gotten around to fixing just yet. Just fire up the printer and bust out the sewing kit!
Miniature Vise (Miniature Vise 2.0 (much easier to assemble and 100% printable) by HD_Creator | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
Sometimes, you just need an extra set of hands. But then again, maybe you can make do with this adorable little printed vice from Printables. Whether it's holding electronics for soldering or more 3d printed components for assembly, you’re sure to find a use for it.
More Efficient Funnel (Turbo Funnel by mishkin2 | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
Far from a gimmick, this funnel can actually substantially reduce the time needed to drain fluids. Don’t believe it? Check out this video on a similar print.
Micro SD Card Case (SD/MicroSD card case by mmurase00 | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
Content creators will know the pain of trying to keep all those little SD cards organized. And while there are dozens of SD card storage prints, this one gets bonus points for being able to fit in the same form factor as a credit card.
Toothpaste Squeezer (Simple Tube Squeezer 2023 by GiovaGio - Thingiverse)
Sometimes it's not even about being thrifty. If you’ve ever found yourself wringing the proverbial neck of your toothpaste tube because you forgot to pick one up when you ran errands, then look no further than this print from user GiovaGio.
AAA Battery Case (Magazine Battery holder (AAA) by Jallim - Thingiverse)
No more loose batteries rolling around in your kitchen cabinet drawers. This print is a useful (and kind of fun) way to keep your AAAs neatly sorted.
PET Filament Maker (Compact PET Filament Machine by mirabatek | Download free STL model | Printables.com)
In the realm of more complicated, but more rewarding prints sits this PET filament maker, having received top marks from the reviewers of printables.com. Certainly, you too will appreciate the ability to recycle your plastic bottles in-house and use them to
save you money on filament! Note that this one does require some extra parts that are not 3D printed (yet, anyway).
Power Supply (ATX Bench Power Supply by Maker-Y - Thingiverse)
At some point, serious DIYers will wish they had themselves a small power supply. Unfortunately, they can still be either expensive or easily broken, and in either case, they can be impossible to repair if you don’t have the proper blueprints. But with this print, you can not only expand your knowledge of electronics but also gain a useful tool to aid you in your DIY journey.