How I Fell Back Into 3D Printing (and Why I’m Glad I Did)

As a self-described serial hobbyist, I tend to hop from one interest to the next. One that’s had some staying power, though, is 3D printing. It checks a few boxes for me: it’s creative, DIY, techy, and futuristic.

Years ago, I picked up a super tiny 3D printer—an Elegoo model with a print bed about the size of a Post-it note. Despite its small size, I tried to use it for everything: miniatures, larger objects, you name it. I still have some of the prints from that time, but the printer itself is long gone. I spent more time maintaining and troubleshooting it than actually printing.

Eventually, I got fed up with my FDM printer and switched to a resin printer: one of the first-generation Elegoo Mars models. I really enjoyed how straightforward it was to use—just load it up and print. It wasn’t great for larger objects, but at the time, I was deep into D&D, so it worked perfectly for miniatures. The cleanup, though? Yeah, not great.

After a while, I gave up 3D printing altogether but still kept tabs on the tech. Then I started hearing about these Bambu printers that you could supposedly just print with—no fuss. I was hooked. I spent a few years toying with the idea of buying one until, after a bonus payout and a solid sale at MicroCenter, I decided to check them out in person.

When I got there, I asked the associate if they had any in stock. “Oh yeah, we’ve got quite a few!” he said. My reply? “Fuck, I was afraid you’d say that.” And just like that, I walked out much lighter in the wallet but with a massive box containing a Bambu P1S and an AMS combo.

So, did I spend a bunch of money on a fancy printer to get back into 3D printing? Sort of. But the real moment that reignited my excitement was when I loaded some filament, hit "print," and watched it churn out a perfect Benchy in no time—zero issues. That’s when the gears in my head really started turning. I hopped online, grabbed a few 3D files, sent them to the printer, and—low and behold—they printed flawlessly.

Y’all, 3D printing has come so far.

After getting comfortable with my new printer, I started thinking about how I could use it to solve problems around the house. That led me to Tinkercad. My first project? A cardholder for my Ugmonk Analog cards, which, admittedly, is a near-identical copy of the one sold on their website.

I know it’s not great ethically, but I’m not distributing it, and it was a good exercise in learning Tinkercad. Design school teaches you to replicate things you like as a way to learn, so I used that principle here. From there, I was off, printing things that were either beautiful or functional.

So far, I’ve made a lampshade for our living room, holders for my watch bands, tons of Gridfinity objects, and more. (I’ll share a post about my favorite prints soon!)

As I got deeper into it, I started bumping into Tinkercad’s limitations. That led me to explore more advanced CAD software like Fusion 360. Honestly, those tools felt overwhelming—the interfaces, workflows, everything. Still determined, I eventually discovered Plasticity, which clicked for me. I also briefly used Blender to sculpt some objects for a Halloween costume (more on that in another post).

So, where am I going with all this? Honestly, this is just an appreciation post for how far 3D printing and modeling have come. The tools are more advanced and approachable than ever, and the possibilities feel endless. Did I need a fancy Bambu P1S to enjoy this hobby? Probably not. But am I glad I treated myself? Absolutely.

If you’re considering getting into 3D printing, here’s my advice: start small, stay curious, and don’t limit yourself. The magic of 3D printing isn’t just in creating things—it’s in solving problems, experimenting, and learning along the way.

Quick interjection before closing out: one thing that used to turn me off about 3D printing was how much of it seemed to revolve around little trinkets and toys. Not to yuck anyone’s yum, but that’s not my vibe. I wanted to print well-designed or practical things—no clutter. There are tons of great resources now that provide thoughtful objects to print . Trinkets still flood most of the free sites, and that's okay, but I'm glad designers are taking a solid swing at beautifully designed objects.

For now, though, I’ve got some Gridfnity boxes to print and a junk drawer that’s about to be a lot less cluttered. Who knew a hobby could be this satisfying?