Category: Fun
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Advent Tree Ball Ornaments
After making my collapsing tree ball ornaments this week I could not help but create these. It seemed like just such a natural thing to do and several people asked for them. Basically, numbered tree balls so you can make your tree into an advent calendar-style game for your loved ones.
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Combination Lock Gift Box
This one is so much fun… give someone a present they can’t open until you give them the code. This gift box has an integrated lock system with a 4-dial combination, each dial offering numbers from 0 to 9. Which means there are 10,000 possible combinations. You can secure your gift and share the passcode…
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Spin Release Gift Box
I decided I needed to make some gift boxes and this is the first one. I think it is fun and entertaining but functional at the same time. This box locks and there is no key to open it. But you do need to know the secret… centrifugal force.
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Folding Ball
I had the idea to try to make a folding ball some time ago but only recently put my mind to it. It just sounded like a fun idea/challenge and also a super practical product if it works. And… here it is…
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Card Holders
My sister recently had shoulder surgery and was unable to use an arm for a period of time during recovery. She wanted to play cribbage to pass the time but needed to do it with one arm only. And so, here is a collapsible, adjustable, card holder for her…
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Large Spider V2.0
Just in time for Halloween, this is a redo of my large articulated, snap-together, 3d printed spider. It is half a meter (about 20 inches) across when built. This is version 2.0, I made the original one about a year ago. That one was good but I have made a whole host of revisions making…
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Folding Box Opener Knife
I saw a real knife like this online and thought what a cool design. So I set out to make an equivalent one but out of plastic hoping it would be durable enough to be functional. And, it is…
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BevvyShade3
I feel like this is one of my least appreciated designs but one of my personal favourites. Mostly because it is really fun and then also because it actually works. I don’t do the sun myself but I do like being outside and sitting on our patio enjoying a cold drink in the summer. And,…
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Compliant Clip-on Dog/Tennis Ball Holder
The STLs for this design are free to download on thangs.com from July 19 to July 25. Three years ago I designed the first generation of this dog ball holder (fits a standard tennis ball too) and I felt it was time to revisit it based on the progress I have made in my designs.…
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StashHanger
This is a fun idea I had and I think it has practical application. Use the space under clothes hangers (inside hung garments) for storage or safekeeping of valuables. I am thinking of a passport, credit cards, cash, keys, etcetera. Check it out…
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StashCan V2.0
What seemed impossibly ambitious to me when I started this project has become a reality. A programmable combination lock, hidden in the bottom of a faux soda can, with a sequential puzzle lid that can only be opened when first the correct code is entered into the combination lock. I give you… my “StashCan 2.0”.
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S-Chain
I kind of stumbled across this little gem… an S-shaped chain link printed very small makes a fantastic chain for anything ornamental or even 3D-printed jewelry. Check this out…
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Coffee Mug Lazy Susan
You know… so if the handle on your coffee mug is on the wrong side you can just spin it around to grab a hold of it. Ok, maybe you will not need it for that but it is still kind of fun. A mini turntable mechanism for displaying things or just as a fidget…
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380mm Lazy Susan Printed on a 220mm Bed!!
One of my key design strategies is breaking everything down into small design challenges and in doing so even the biggest project becomes tackleable. When I first created my Lazy Susan mechanisms I wanted one bigger than my print bed allowed but that seemed too challenging so I ended up settling for 330mm diameter on…
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Modular (Box) Chain System
A modular chain system with medium strength seemed like a good idea when I started it. But I am not sure what to do with it. So for now it is in the fun and curious category of things to print. I hope to one day find a purpose for it. I have designed a…
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Lazy Susan 2.0
Okay, this is better, I have to admit. When I created the first Lazy Susan mechanisms (previously posted here) I was pretty pleased with myself. And, to be clear they are designed for low speed and work very well. But I have received a few comments about using conical bearings and I could not resist…
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Secret “Stash-Can” Safe
I remember as a child I always loved secret hiding places for things. I am not sure if that is normal or not and what it says about me but… I still love secret hiding spaces. And, to that end, I have designed a soda can (think cola or beer can) that is a secret…
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Phone Multi Widget
This is (another) one of those projects that has been more than a year in the works. It started as something quite different but in essence, it was intended to be a pocket-size tool to hold a phone for watching videos in a multitude of situations. And, now I am finally happy enough with it…
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Giant Spider
We are doing a kind of “spider” based Halloween theme decoration this year and so I was looking for large spiders to print to put on the front lawn. I found a few decent ones but none that were huge or had articulated legs. Maybe they are out there but I didn’t find them. So……