I like to grow herbs and vegetables for cooking, and this year I am adding Thai peppers and jalapenos. My plan is to smoke the jalapenos to make chipoltes. I can’t wait, but I need to get an early start on these peppers in our colder climate. And, so I have created an indoor seed starting and growing platform. Later, I will ty to use this for growing some herbs indoors, and I will also apply some of my hydroponic experience to make an insert for hydroponic growing.

Click here to download STL (Affiliate Link)

Every growing season I found myself juggling trays, heat mats, lights balanced on boxes, and awkward height adjustments as seedlings shot up faster than expected. It worked — but it was messy, unstable, and never quite dialed in.

The Logical Grow Platform (LGP) was designed to solve that problem in a clean, modular, fully printable way.

Instead of building a temporary setup every spring, the LGP creates a dedicated growing platform that holds your seed trays, integrates optional bottom heat, supports a common LED grow panel, and adjusts smoothly as your plants grow — all while staying compact enough to print on a standard 250mm bed.

It’s a system meant to grow with you, not something you outgrow in two weeks.

What It Is & How It Works

At its core, the LGP is a snap-together main body that holds seed starting trays inside a raised platform, with two adjustable threaded posts that support a removable light hood above.

The hood holds a standard aluminum LED grow panel, while the base can optionally house a low-power reptile-style heater for bottom warmth during germination.

As seedlings emerge and stretch upward, you simply rotate the posts to raise the light — keeping an optimal distance without stacking books or rebuilding your setup.

Everything is modular:

• Trays drop in and swap out easily
• The hood lifts off instantly for watering or transplanting
• Height adjusts smoothly with precise control

Key Parts & Mechanisms

The LGP is built around a few carefully designed functional elements.

Snap-Together Main Body
The base assembles from interlocking pieces using tongue-and-groove joints and internal latches. It locks rigidly while still allowing disassembly if needed.

Adjustable Threaded Posts
Each post raises or lowers the hood smoothly with every rotation — about 6mm (roughly 1/4”) per turn.

An extended grip rib acts as a visual rotation marker so you can keep the hood perfectly level if you want precise alignment.

The posts can also be printed mirrored if you prefer counter-rotating motion instead of both turning the same direction.

Two-Piece Snap Hood
The hood prints in two identical halves that slide together over the LED panel and lock underneath with printed clips — no hardware required.

Integrated Cable Strain Relief
Both the hood and base include built-in cord management points to protect and route power cables cleanly.

Size & Dimensions

Despite being a complete growing platform, the LGP stays compact enough for shelves, desks, and indoor grow spaces.

The footprint is roughly 445mm long by 180mm wide, with height adjustable from about 175mm up to nearly 390mm depending on post position.

It comfortably fits multiple Logical Grow trays while remaining stable and easy to move.

Printing Notes & Recommended Settings

The Logical Grow Platform is designed as a functional print — strength matters more than cosmetic perfection.

Recommended settings focus on durability:

• 0.4mm nozzle
• 0.2mm layer height
• Thick walls and solid top/bottom layers
• 40% cubic infill for general use or 100% for maximum longevity

PLA works well for indoor use, while PETG or ASA are ideal for higher heat or long-term durability.

Everything prints support-free in strength-optimized orientations.

Post-Print Setup & Motion Release

Because the adjustable posts are printed with tight tolerances to eliminate wobble, they may need a quick break-in.

This is done by gently squeezing or tapping the post sections, then fully extending and retracting them once or twice until motion becomes smooth.

An included Post Tool acts as a small wrench to help rotate the internal elements if needed.

Once loosened, the movement becomes effortless and precise.

Assembly

Assembly is entirely snap-fit — no screws, glue, or hardware required.

Main Body
The end pieces slide into the center section and click into place using built-in latches.
If the bottom tongue-and-groove features don’t perfectly self-align, a gentle flex will seat them flush.

Adjustable Posts
Prepared posts press into the connectors in each end of the base and snap securely.

Hood
The two hood halves slide onto the LED panel and lock together underneath using printed clips.

The hood then rests directly on the adjustable posts for quick removal.

Everyday Use & Operation

Using the LGP quickly becomes second nature.

Start seeds in your trays, drop them into the base, and optionally add bottom heat for faster germination.

Once sprouts appear, lower the hood close to the seedlings for strong early growth. As plants stretch, rotate the posts to raise the light smoothly.

The hood lifts off instantly for watering, thinning, or transplanting.

Everything stays organized, stable, and perfectly positioned through every growth stage.

Why This Design Exists

The Logical Grow Platform was created to replace the unstable pile-of-stuff grow setups most of us end up using.

It’s about:

• Clean organization
• Smooth mechanical adjustment
• Modular expansion
• Turning seed starting into a proper system

It also forms the foundation of the broader Logical Grow ecosystem — with interchangeable trays, accessories like filling funnels and reusable plant markers, and future modules designed to scale from germination through indoor growing.

Like all LogicalPlanet designs, it’s built to be practical, durable, and satisfying to use.

The post Logical Grow Platform (LGP) first appeared on logicalplanet.

Every growing season seems to start the same way — stacks of flimsy plastic seed trays, soil everywhere, seedlings sitting in soggy bottoms, and roots already circling before the plants are even ready to move outside.

Click here to download STL (Affiliate Link)

Most seed-starting systems are designed to be cheap and disposable, not to actually support strong early plant development.

These deep cell plug trays were designed to change that.

Instead of shallow cups and messy watering, they create a controlled, clean growing environment that promotes healthy root growth, proper drainage, and easy transplanting — all in reusable modular sizes that scale from small test batches to larger planting runs.

Whether you’re starting a few peppers or filling a full shelf with seedlings, the 2×3, 2×5, and 3×5 trays provide the same optimized growing conditions in flexible footprints.

What It Is & How It Works

Each plug tray is built as a complete propagation system focused on moisture control, airflow, and root health.

Deep growing cells give seedlings room to develop strong early root systems while maintaining excellent drainage. A translucent humidity dome traps warmth and moisture during germination, while built-in micro-vent spaces allow controlled airflow to prevent stagnant conditions.

The cells sit in a raised propagation tray that creates an airflow and drainage gap underneath. This enables clean bottom watering, prevents water buildup, and works perfectly with seed heat mats for faster germination.

Together, these elements form a compact micro-environment that encourages quicker sprouting, healthier growth, and far less mess.

Key Parts & Mechanisms

Each tray size uses the same thoughtfully engineered components:

Deep Plug Cells
Tall growing chambers with internal root-guiding ribs that direct roots downward rather than spiraling, creating dense, compact root plugs that transplant cleanly.

Push-Up Ejectors
Removable bases inside each cell allow the entire soil plug and plant to be lifted out gently — no pulling or root damage. Drainage holes in the ejectors prevent oversaturation and support bottom watering.

Raised Propagation Tray
A rigid support tray that holds the cells aligned while creating airflow and drainage underneath to keep roots healthy and soil properly aerated.

Humidity Dome
A translucent cover that maintains high humidity for germination while passive vent spaces provide controlled airflow for healthier early growth.

Size & Dimensions

The deep cell plug trays are available in three modular formats:

2×3 Tray — 6 cells
Great for small batches, specialty seeds, or limited space.

2×5 Tray — 10 cells
A balanced size for moderate planting runs.

3×5 Tray — 15 cells
Ideal for larger starts when prepping full gardens.

Each cell features approximately 60mm of growing depth, making them especially well suited for:

• peppers and tomatoes
• herbs and flowers
• seedlings that benefit from strong root systems

The deeper design allows plants to remain in the trays longer before transplanting while building healthier roots than shallow starter trays.

Printing Notes & Recommended Settings

All components are designed to print easily using common filaments and standard slicer settings.

PLA works perfectly for indoor growing. For longer-term durability or higher humidity environments, PETG or ASA are excellent options.

Recommended baseline settings:

• 0.4mm nozzle
• 0.2mm layer height
• 4 walls
• 5 top/bottom layers
• 30–40% infill
• No supports required

The geometry is forgiving and optimized for strong, clean prints.

Post-Print Setup & Motion Release

Very little post-processing is required.

After printing:

• Gently flex each ejector base to ensure smooth movement
• Clear any minor stringing around drainage holes
• Test the push-up action once or twice

Once done, the trays are ready to fill and plant.

Assembly (If Required)

No assembly is required.

The plug cells drop directly into the propagation tray, ejectors slide into place, and the humidity dome rests on top.

Everything is designed as a simple modular drop-in system for easy cleaning and long-term reuse.

Everyday Use & Operation

The workflow is clean and straightforward:

• Pre-moisten potting mix
• Fill each cell (a single-cell soil funnel is included for mess-free filling)
• Sow seeds and lightly cover
• Place the humidity dome on top for germination
• Bottom water as needed
• Remove dome once seedlings emerge
• Push up ejectors to transplant cleanly when ready

Reusable plant markers designed for standard 12mm × 40mm labels (such as Nimbot-style labels) — or simple handwritten notes — make tracking varieties easy throughout the growing process.

Everything stays organized, clean, and frustration-free.

Why This Design Exists

These plug trays were created to replace disposable seed starters with a reusable, well-engineered system that actually supports plant health.

Instead of dealing with warped plastic, soggy soil, and weak roots, the focus is on:

• controlled moisture
• healthy airflow
• strong root structure
• clean transplanting
• modular scalability

They also form the foundation of a larger modular growing ecosystem that will continue to expand over time — allowing seed starting to integrate seamlessly into larger indoor growing setups.

For now, these trays offer a simple, professional-grade way to start stronger plants at home.

The post Deep Cell Plug Trays – Seed Starters first appeared on logicalplanet.

Click here to download STL (Affiliate Link)

My design uses the classic funnel leading to bait strategy. And, I feel it has the potential to be “better” for a couple of reasons as follows:

1. I have made the funnel top quite large. Wasps are visually oriented and so making the top of the funnel large and yellow should increase the chances of a wasp finding the trap.
2. I have added a twist-to-open iris-style closure mechanism that a) provides a convenient closure when you want to close the trap to move it, and b) when the iris is open, the blades of the iris act as leaves to further enhance the visual appeal of the trap.
3. Lastly, I have made a PET bottle and a mason jar version of the traps so it can be attached conveniently to either of those types of containers.

I have included designs for both standard and wide-mouth mason jars.

The only issue I have seen so far is that the hot sun can affect the 3d printed parts quite easily if it is left to bake in the heat. So keep it out of the direct sunlight.

Print Settings

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height. For best results I suggest the following:

Assembly Notes

Assembly is very straightforward, and all the pieces of the trap snap or fit together easily without any added hardware, fasteners or adhesives.

The post A Better Wasp Trap first appeared on logicalplanet.

Click here to download STL (Affiliate Link)

Once the correct combination code is dialed in, you can pull the egg apart and reveal the compartment inside, which could contain a treat or surprise.

You can print the egg with or without an AMS unit. Without the AMS, you will only have embossed letters on those dials, but that is the only compromise.

I have created two versions of the egg. One version has two extra layers in it, so if you want a more colorful egg, you can print more layers in different colors. But if you prefer to print it in fewer parts, you have that option too.

Where the bodies are threaded together, I used a simple press-into-place thread lock that keeps the parts together but allows them to be separated when the correct code is entered. This allows you to change parts (for varying color combinations) if desired.

Print Settings

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height. For best results, I suggest the following:

• Material = PLA
• Nozzle = 0.4mm
• Layer Height = 0.2mm
• Line Width = 0.4mm
• Wall Count = 4 (1.6mm)
• Top and Bottom Layer Count = 5
• Detect Thin Walls = ON
• Wall Generator = Arachne
• Infill = 40% (Cubic)
• Raft = You can use a raft (I suggest 3 layers) if you have difficulting printing the two main body parts (104 (alt 102) and 304 (alt 301) if needed) which have only a small amount of contact with the print surface.
• Support = None required.
• Print orientation = As per the STL/3MF files and the included image

Assembly Notes

The post Locking Egg first appeared on logicalplanet.

I have for some time thought circulating air through wet gloves would be a good way to dry them and it turns out it is. My initial testing shows it is about 4 times faster to dry gloves with this dryer compared to no air circulation.

This glove dryer accelerates the glove-drying process by circulating air inside the glove.  To be clear, there is no heat so this needs to be used in doors.

The design is completely snap-together and a fairly easy print. Making this dryer for a pair of gloves requires two sets of everything except the Palm part. That should be mirrored I your slicer to make it a right Palm. But even if you do not mirror it, you can just turn it around in the base.

The glove dryer is snapped together and requires no fasteners or other hardware other than a 6015 blower-style fan.  I used a USB-powered model (linked below), but I suspect any 6015 blower fan will work since they are generally standardized in size.  If you have 6015 that does not fit, please let me know. 

I am in Canada so I used this… click here.

Some USA equivalents appear to be…. click here or here.

The glove size capacity of the dryer might also be an issue for some. If you find you have gloves that do not fit, please let me know and I will explore making other sizes of the “hand” assembly. The base should be able to stay the same and just snap in other “hand” sizes.

Printing

Functional designs (such as this one) generally require more strength than non-functional designs and more strength than the typical default slicer settings provide, so please review your slicer settings carefully.

This product was designed for a 0.4mm nozzle, a 0.2mm layer height and the following settings:

• Material = PLA or PETG recommended (any material should work fine)
• Line Width = 0.4mm
• Wall Line Count = 4 ( 4 x 0.4mm = 1.6mm walls )
• Top and Bottom Layer Count = 5 ( 5 x 0.2mm = 1.0mm top and bottom )
• Detect Thin Walls = ON
• Wall Generator = Arachne
• Infill = 40% (Cubic)
• Ironing = Not required
• Brim = No, except for Palm – add if needed. 
• Support = No, all required support is incorporated into the design.
• Print orientation = As per the STL/3MF files.

Assembly Notes

After printing, please remove the built-in print support from the Base and Release as shown.

And, then assembly of the dryer is as shown in the following images…

The post Glove Dryer first appeared on logicalplanet.

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.

Of course, you will need a multi-filament printer (AMS) to make these. Once printed the balls simply fold open and closed to collapse or conceal a prize that you put inside.

The balls are 3.0″ (76mm) in diameter. I have made the balls from number 00 to 24.

The balls are 100% 3D printed and no hardware, fasteners, or adhesives are required.

Good simple fun. But give yourself lots of time to print them!

Printing

Your default slicer settings should be ok with the design except for a few minor adjustments. For sure you need to enable Arachne (automatic if you are using Cura) and also consider setting Walls Seams to random to avoid a seem.

Here are my recommended settings:

• Material: PLA
• Nozzle: 0.4mm
• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Line Width: 0.4mm
• Wall Count: 2 (0.8mm)
• Top and Bottom Layer Count: Minimum 3
• Detect Thin Walls: ON
• Infill: 0%
• Ironing: Not required
• Brim: No, should not be needed. But if you are having trouble you can enable it – but it will create a lot of extra post-print processing for you to do.
• Support: No
• Wall Generator: Arachne
• Detect Thin Lines: Yes
• Wall Seams: Random (to avoid a seam)
• PRINT ORIENTATION: As illustrated and as per 3MF files

Post Print Processing and Assembly Notes

After printing the ball sections can be difficult to separate for the first time. Using a thin flat and flexible blade like a feeler gauge works excellently to “unstick” the parts.

Rotation of the sections of the balls may be slightly more difficult the first time you attempt it. Take your time to twist the balls open and closed until the parts move easily. There are slight detents at the full opened positions to help keep the balls opened in equal proportions.

Also, note the 3 sections of each ball can be fully separated if needed to help clean and smooth them. Just squish the inner section to pull it out and then the next one. Squish them slightly to return them.

The post Advent Tree Ball Ornaments first appeared on logicalplanet.