5 tiny 3D prints that solved annoyances I’d learned to live with

# Quick summary Tim Brookes walks through five small 3D prints that solved household annoyances he'd long tolerated. Each print is simple to design or download, inexpensive to make, and targeted to a single recurring problem: a catching door, worn-out anchors in concrete, a limescale-blocked faucet aerator, a chaotic junk drawer full of rubber bands, and a better way to store pot lids in kitchen cupboards.

# What was the problem and the fix

Movement in a mounted awning crank wore the concrete anchor holes unevenly. Rather than buy multiple sizes at a store, he measured hole diameter and depth with a vernier caliper, used a wall-plug generator to create three different-size plugs, and printed them in PLA to secure the screws again. He notes PLA will compact over time under load, and replacing cheap printed plugs can be a low-cost repeat solution.

The article introduces a printed solution to better use kitchen cupboard space for pot lids. The author includes an image credit for a MakerWorld design, indicating there are readily available models for slotting and storing lids in vertical arrangement.

# Practical notes and materials

• Measurement matters: use calipers where fit is important. Wall-plug generators and templates speed up design.
• Filament choice: PLA is acceptable for many low-stress household parts because it's cheap and prints easily. For parts exposed to liquids or mild acids (like a vinegar descaler), prefer PETG.
• Reprinting is cheap: when a printed plug or shim wears, printing a replacement costs only a few cents in filament and a few minutes of print time.

# How to get started

1. 1Identify the single problem you want to solve and measure any mating dimensions.
2. 2Search existing STL repositories or use a simple tool like Tinkercad to model a part.

1. 1Print, install, and iterate: adjust dimensions if fit isn't perfect.

# Bottom line Tim Brookes' examples show that small, targeted 3D prints can remove everyday annoyances quickly and cheaply. The projects require basic measuring and modest design or download skills, and the right filament choice increases durability where needed.