12 surprising reasons you need a 3D printer
Thumb your nose at money-grubbing high street hawkers: these household items can be home printed for pennies
3D printers might seem pricey, but by using them to create essential things you’d otherwise buy, it’s been estimated that they can pay for themselves in as little as a year.
We’ve collected together some of our favourite everyday items that can be 3D printed. Read on – and consider whether it might be time for you to join the 3D printing revolution…
Eggcup
Need something to keep your morning soft-boiled egg steady while you dip in the soldiers? An eggcup is easy work for a 3D printer: this particular one can be downloaded from Cuboyo for home printing for US$1, and should take less than an hour to print.
Wallet
Splashing out on a premium leather wallet might make you feel like a big spender – but it’ll also result in less cash inside that wallet. The alternative is to 3D print your own “hard” wallet: this design can be downloaded free-of-charge and has plenty of space for coins, notes and credit cards. Maybe even a folded up picture of your sweetheart.
iPhone case
A basic plastic iPhone case will likely set you back at least £15, but this design, which comes from MakerBot themselves, is totally free. What’s more it’s customisable: you can use MakerBot’s own online Customizer app to personalise the rear mesh. Available for both the iPhone 4 and 5 shapes.
Safety razor
What’s cheaper than disposable razors? Razors you print yourself – and don’t have to chuck away after a few stubble shearings. This free design allows you to attach a standard razor blade, which can be replaced for pennies when required.
Tyre lever
Cyclists can use this free design to prise tyres off their wheels for replacement or repair. The lever is small enough to carry around in your jeans pocket.
Bottle opener
Crack open a cold one with something you’ve made yourself – and no, we’re not talking about your teeth. There’s no shortage of 3D printable bottle opener designs online, but this one avoids the danger of shattered plastic by employing a slot for a coin. It’s also customisable, allowing you to print an image of your choice on the front.
Cable wraps
Cables, cables everywhere – that’s the lot of the modern gadget owner, who likely has a collection of charger leads, headphone cords and more creating an unwanted spaghetti bolognese on your desktop. All that can be avoided with these spools from Eddie Licitra, which keep your unruly leads in check.
Get it here (link to free plan on page)
Tablet stand
A stand to prop your iPad, Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire on a tabletop is so simple a device that paying some accessories company a tenner for it seems perverse. Enter 3D printing. This free design works with almost any type of slate.
Shower head
A shower head can be a simple device if you’re not looking for adjustability and “massaging” functions, but you’ll still pay a pretty penny for one at your local DIY shop. Why not just print your own for a grand total of less than a couple of quid in materials?
Key hanger
You probably don’t have a key hanger at home, which is probably why you’ve just lost your keys again. Ensure that doesn’t happen again with this customisable, free design for a wall-mounted hook (or hooks).
iPhone tripod mount
Take your iPhone photos and Vine videos to the next level by mounting your smartphone on a tripod. Rather than buy a mount for a few quid, you can print this one out for next to nothing.
Plastic bottle mudguard
With the weather getting wetter, you might be considering a mudguard for the rear wheel of your road bike. This design (which cannot, sadly, be downloaded and has to be printed to order at a cost of around £15) allows you to use a sliced-up plastic bottle for the purpose, thanks to a small clip that attaches to your frame.
Sam Kieldsen
Contributor 
