Level Up Your 3D Printing: Essential Accessories for Every Maker
3D printing’s popularity is soaring, and with it comes a growing need for the right accessories. While a good 3D printer is essential, accessories can significantly enhance your printing experience, improving both ease of use and print quality. Many accessories provide a combination of these benefits, making your time with your printer more enjoyable. This guide highlights some of the most useful accessories for 3D printing, based on years of experience and testing.
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Our Picks
Here’s a curated selection of 3D printing accessories we recommend:
- Best 3D printing bed adhesive: Aquanet Hairspray
- Best for filament storage: SunLu filament box
- Best for fusing parts: 3D Gloop! 3D-printing adhesive
- Best for organization: Portable caddy basket
- Best for adding a bit of fun: Cookiecad Holographic build plates
- Best for design work: Digital calipers
- Best upgrade: E3D Bambu Lab A1 ObXidian hotend
- Best filament holder: Vertical TX rolling filament shelf
- Best modular storage: HDX stackable garage storage
- Alternative bed adhesive: Magigoo 3D-print-bed adhesive
- Best deburring tool: Vastools swivel head deburring tool
- Best for metric screws: AmazonBasics metric/imperial hex key wrench set
What’s the Best 3D Printing Accessory?
While many accessories are helpful, one stands out as the starting point: Aquanet hairspray. This budget-friendly hairspray is surprisingly effective as a bed adhesive, providing a thin layer that securely holds prints in place. It’s also easily washable and smells pleasant—a welcome bonus! Following up on that, a filament dryer like the SunLu 360 is critical for maintaining optimal filament condition.
Having amassed a collection of accessories over a decade of 3D printing, I’m well-versed in the wide range of available options. You’re likely to find valuable resources on Amazon, and California-based MatterHackers offers a comprehensive selection of advanced upgrades and specialized equipment.
Essential 3D Printer Accessories
Aquanet Hairspray: The Bed Adhesive Champion
This isn’t about beauty routines—it’ll help your prints stick to the build plate. The water-based formula creates a thin adhesive layer, preventing corners from curling. It’s inexpensive and easy to clean, making it an exceptional value. I consistently keep a supply on hand and use it on nearly every print.
Simply apply a light dusting before printing (outside the printer to avoid mechanical issues) and let it dry. This will dramatically improve bed adhesion.
SunLu Filament Dryer: Keeping Your Filament in Top Shape
Some filaments, especially flexible materials like TPU, benefit from being warm and dry before printing. The SunLu filament dryer provides consistent temperature control, minimizing moisture-related printing problems. Its even heating helps maintain the filament’s ideal condition throughout the printing process.
3D Gloop! 3D-Printing Adhesive: The Ultimate Bond
3D Gloop is perfect for fusing multiple 3D-printed parts into a single, robust structure. The chemical bonding process creates a remarkably strong connection, often stronger than the plastic itself. Important note: 3D Gloop is not for attaching prints to the build plate—use Aquanet for that purpose. It’s exclusively for bonding plastic parts together.
I put its strength to the test in a tug-of-war with a robot—the bond didn’t fail! The plastic layers of the print actually gave way before the Gloop connection did, demonstrating its incredible strength.
Portable Caddy Baskets: Organization at Your Fingertips
These versatile storage caddies are excellent for organizing smaller 3D printing tools. The individual compartments make it easy to store hex wrenches, scrapers, and filament cutters, all while maintaining portability. I have several in my workshop, also using them for glues and sandpapers. Consider getting a few for generalphed organization as well.
Cookiecad Holographic Build Plates: A Touch of Fun
These build plates add a unique aesthetic to your prints. Beyond the fun look, they can also improve bed adhesion for some materials.
Digital Calipers: Precision for Design and Repair
Accurate measurements are crucial for design and repair work. Digital calipers, with their ability to measure down to a thousandth of a millimeter, provide the precision needed for detailed projects. They are also helpful for verifying print dimensions.
E3D Bambu Lab A1 ObXidian Hotend: Extending Nozzle Life
Nozzles wear down over time, especially when printing exotic materials. The E3D ObXidian hotend’s specialized coating resists grinding and wear, significantly extending nozzle lifespan, particularly for materials like carbon fiber filament.
Vertical TX Rolling Filament Shelf: Organized Filament Storage
These shelves are designed to securely hold round filament spools, preventing them from collapsing. The rotating base allows for easy access to different spools. The larger version includes a rolling base for added convenience. It’s particularly useful for managing multiple filament spools in a print farm setting.
HDX Stackable Garage Storage: Safe and Dry Filament Storage
Keeping filament safe and dry is essential for preventing printing issues. These stackable storage cabinets provide a secure and organized storage solution. Adding a dehumidifier inside further helps maintain a consistent humidity level.
Magigoo 3D-Print Bed Adhesive: An Alternative Bed Adhesive
Similar to Aquanet, Magigoo is an effective bed adhesive that creates a strong bond between the print and the build plate.
Vastools Swivel Head Deburring Tool: Smoothing Sharp Edges
After printing, models often have sharp edges, especially when using brims for anchoring. A deburring tool smooths these edges, providing a cleaner and more professional finish.
AmazonBasics Metric/Imperial Hex Key Wrench Set: The Metric Advantage
3D printers utilize metric measurements, not inches. A comprehensive set of metric hex wrenches is essential for adjustments and repairs.
3D-Printer Accessories FAQ
What’s the best 3D-printing tool for beginners?
For beginners, securing the first layer is paramount. Any bed adhesive, like those mentioned above, can significantly improve first-layer adhesion and simplify print removal. Aquanet and similar products offer a cost-effective solution.
How does nozzle size affect 3D printing?
Nozzle size impacts the amount of material extruded per unit of time. Larger nozzles (e.g., 0.6mm) result in faster printing and stronger parts, while smaller nozzles (e.g., 0.2mm) are ideal for intricate details. There’s a growing trend towards using 0.6mm nozzles as a standard due to the balance of speed and detail.
