Owning a 3D printer is akin to having a car: both require a lot of tinkering to stay in great shape and offer excellent performance. Pretty much all seasoned hobbyists and professionals have a toolkit full of accessories and tools that keep 3D printers humming along.
As a beginner, the basic set of hand tools included in your new 3D printer package may be just what you need to start. But down the road, you’ll realize that you need several other essentials to make your life easier and get greater results.
Here is a list of must-have 3D printing accessories that make 3D printing a success!
What Tools Do You Need for 3D Printing?
1. Hex/Allen Keys
Most 3D printer brands will include a basic set of hex keys in the package to help with the assembly. The only problem is that most of these starter keys are made from low-quality materials and may not hold up to a modest amount of torque. If you don’t have one already, I’d advise you to invest in a set (or 2) of high-quality Allen keys to avoid inconveniences.
On this note, I’ve found Allen keys with a ball-end to be super helpful when engaging the bolt. You may also want to add hex keys with a screwdriver handle to your kit. The latter is usually efficient, and they come in handy when you want to do the bolts more quickly.
Recommendations
2. Spanner, Socket Wrench, and Adjustable Wrench
A spanner is another must-have in your 3D printer accessories and tools. This will come in handy if there are nuts that need to be tightened or loosened during maintenance. You’ll also almost always need a spanner or wrench when replacing the nozzle and dealing with the v-roller assembly. Most 3D printers come with a small spanner that should work just fine. However, I recommend grabbing an affordable socket wrench set. A socket wrench is more convenient as it allows you to apply more torque without leaving marks on the PTFE tube fittings. Note that you’ll also need an adjustable wrench to hold the heater block when changing the nozzle.
Recommendations
3. Pliers
Pliers are another essential tool for everyday 3D printing. You’ll need a variety of pliers for all types of odd jobs around the 3D printer. By and large, the 5” needle-nose pliers are among the most important, especially when it comes to grabbing, prying, and removing the support structure.
You’ll also need side-cutting pliers for snipping zip cable ties and sharpening the tip of the filament when loading the spool. Again, most 3D printer brands will include these pliers in the package. But you can also grab them at below $10 on Amazon and eBay.
Recommendations
4. Spatula and Palette Knife
When 3D printing, you want your models to stick nicely on the building plate for successful prints. However, there are times when the prints will stick too well, making it a tad hard to pluck them off the building plate. When this happens, all you need is a spatula or a palette knife to lift your prints from the base safely. Your printer probably came with the typical multi-purpose spatula. While this still works, the market now has print removal tools designed for 3D printing.
Recommendations
- Buildtak (top-rated)
- Reptor 3D printing knife and spatula
5. Tweezers
Having a set of tweezers in different shapes and sizes will prove very handy in many ways when 3D printing. Tweezers offer an excellent alternative to your fingers when removing excess melted filament from the nozzle. You’ll also need to grab one of these when removing internal supports in narrow places where other cleanup tools can’t access easily.
6. Digital Caliper
Accuracy is vital in the world of 3D printing. And that’s why you need to keep a digital caliper within reach at any given time. This is an infinitely useful 3D printing tool that lets you verify precise measurements when replicating a part in 3D. You’ll also need it to check the accuracy of your prints versus the original measurements of the CAD model.
It’s a good 3D printing habit to measure filament tolerance regularly to ensure that it’s within the advertised width. Again, this is another area where a digital caliper will prove essential in your 3D printing applications.
Recommendations
7. 3D Printing Adhesives
Bed adhesion is the backbone of successful 3D prints. Poor bed adhesion means that your prints can easily nudge or move around easily. 3D printing requires maximum precision. This means that even the slightest movement when printing is in progress can easily ruin the entire project leading to filament and time wastage. Some filament materials, such as PLA, don’t necessarily need an adhesive to stick. However, I’ve realized that applying glue on the bed before printing PLA helps reduce warping and curling.
Here are the different types of adhesives you’ll want to add to your list of useful 3D printing tools;
- PEI sheets
- Adhesive spray
- Blue painter’s tape
- Glue stick
8. Feeler gauge
A perfect first layer is crucial to the success of your prints. While there are many things that you must consider to ensure an even first layer, a level build surface is a crucial aspect here. A humble7. 3D Printing Adhesives
Bed adhesion is the backbone of successful 3D prints. Poor bed adhesion means that your prints can easily nudge or move around easily. 3D printing requires maximum precision. This means that even the slightest movement when printing is in progress can easily ruin the entire project leading to filament and time wastage. Some filament materials, such as PLA, don’t necessarily need an adhesive to stick. However, I’ve realized that applying glue on the bed before printing PLA helps reduce warping and curling.
Here are the different types of adhesives you’ll want to add to your list of useful 3D printing tools;
- PEI sheets
- Adhesive spray
- Blue painter’s tape
- Glue stick
piece of paper is often enough to level the print bed. But a feeler gauge is a vital tool for accurately adjusting the distance between the nozzle and the build surface. Your 3D printer won’t come with the feeler gauge right out of the box. But it’s relatively inexpensive online and in most home improvement stores near you.
Recommendation
9. Nozzle Cleaning Tools
Your 3D printer maintenance kit won’t be complete without nozzle cleaning tools. You’ll need a wire brush to clean the tip of the nozzle and the heating block opening. In the case of a clogged nozzle, a needle or guitar wire is effective at pushing the blob out. Remember to heat the extruder and the nozzle first to melt and soften up the clogged material. Soaking the clogged nozzle in acetone for some hours also helps in smoothening the clogging plastic. But this is usually more effective with ABS.
You can get some more tips in our article 3D Printer Nozzles – A ‘Need-To-Know’ Guide
10. Filament Storage Containers
Proper filament storage not only affects the quality of your prints. But it also prevents frequent nozzle blockages that can be a real pain in the neck to deal with. A good storage container will keep your filaments away from moisture, dust, and dirt particles that may settle on your spool when left in the open.
The best filament storage containers are not mere plastic boxes. On the contrary, they are advanced units with built-in dehydrators that keep your spools dry. Most of these are pricey and can cost $45-$75. But they offer the most reliable way to keep your ultra-sensitive filaments in great condition.
Another cheaper alternative is to store the filament in a clear storage box with a sealed lid or a vacuum bag. You can then place a few packets of silica gel beads in the box or vacuum bag to absorb any existing moisture. Lastly, if you like to keep things cheap and simple, YouTube has lots of videos on building a DIY filament storage box at home.
For a deep-dive on filament storage read our article on How to Keep Your 3D Printing Filament Dry
Recommendations
Conclusion
A rich toolkit and spare parts are necessary to keep your 3D printer running smoothly. Beginners looking to create an effective makerspace will find this list of useful 3D printing tools and accessories pretty useful. If you’re an experienced 3D printer owner, I’d love to hear about other tools in your kit that make your 3D printing life easier.