I didn’t really realize just how big 5mm is until I used it as a ‘reasonable tolerance’ when designing a 3D printed bin. It’s now looser than a really poor joke!
scrap
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• #3d-printing
March 19, 2026
All I got up to this day (as far as you know)
4 posts on this day
I printed a grip strength trainer from Maker World which my mom has been using and said she caught herself opening jars she hadn’t been able to open on her own before. I’m enjoying these random finds from getting the printer 🙂
https://makerworld.com/en/models/2161255-grip-strength-trainer-medium_30kg
Iterating on a 3D print takes 20+ minutes per attempt (maybe that can be improved?) and somehow that feels more fun than waiting on a slow test suite. Maybe it’s because when I’m waiting on the printer I just work on other software projects. Or watch TV. 🤷♀️
Start with the smallest test print you can, no, even smaller, when iterating on a 3D model.
- Top: the first print, fully believing I had nailed everything on the first try (also some hope, it was printing over night so hey, it might mean I’m done with this first design)
- Middle: second print, cut smaller but enough to let the device rest. Made me realize I hadn’t taken into account that the device tapers at the top and bottom, so it needs less living space
- Bottom: latest print, cut to print as small as possible, and maybe too small, but it seems to indicate this is good. Next up, a full print
Next time, reverse the order 😅