I’ve got 3 on my list.

  1. BT-PAN Access Point - Kinda ridiculous, but I’d like to have one. I’ve also found a few BT-PAN-enabled dial-up modems, but I’d have no way to connect those up. Some of those could even be connected to USB printers for wireless printing. Not particularly useful anymore, I just find those devices interesting.
  2. Dot matrix printer - This one isn’t even as ridiculous. I really love that sound and how the text they print looks. Sadly, if I am looking for new ones, a basic 9-pin Epson dot matrix is around €200. But the ribbons are cheap as chips. In fact, often even cheaper. Just imagine casually handing out a document printed on dot matrix to someone nowdays.
  3. Nano pocket drone - Something like FQ777-124. Maybe a toy like that is a bit childish, but it still can be fun. In fact I already tried to order this one. From 4 different sellers, twice on AliExpress, twice on Amazon. I never got it :(
38 points

A 3D Printer, I think I’d enjoy making small “functional” things.

permalink
report
reply
17 points

I thought that, too but I mostly make small non-functional things, which is also nice

permalink
report
parent
reply
12 points

I like the idea, but I fear that I would quickly run out of things to print that I actually need. After then I’d start looking for applications. And the one thing I don’t need in my life are more small (or large) plastic things.

permalink
report
parent
reply

Fixing and adapting things around the house is what I like most about having a 3d printer.

I’m pretty sure the first printer is now paid for itself by doing that. Just because of things I haven’t had to pay to replace. As of this summer I’m up to 3 printers and I can’t claim I’ve paid for all 3.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

Can you give some examples of things you’ve replaced? I’m just curious

permalink
report
parent
reply

Sure.

I’m about to design a new ceiling lamp nut for our kitchen, because the original has gone missing after a light bulb change. I’ll use a spare metal nut then print a cover to go on it so it looks intentional.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

I have a CNC router for work, but I do use it for random things around the house occasionally. Building shelves is suddenly a lot easier…

permalink
report
parent
reply
4 points

Me too until I had access to one through work. I’ve found PLA to be quite brittle and not very useful for anything other than items that sit on a shelf

permalink
report
parent
reply
7 points

A lot of it is just knowing how to design around the limitations. I 3D print practical parts all the time and usually don’t have any issues with them. If PLA doesn’t work for what you want to print PETG is pretty easy to print as well and is a bit more resilient.

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

Polymaker pla pro is a great pla. I have printed plenty of functional things with it and they all hold up really well. If you really need something more durable nylon 6 would be a good option to look at.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

Same, but I would be picky and not want a small one. But still would end up as a decorative object, so…

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

I want one too but I’m scared I won’t use it. I’m holding off until I meet someone with one and see it in person

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

somebody said try your local library (this is probably a US thing)

permalink
report
parent
reply
2 points

Do it! I recently purchased one and love it. Feel free to ask questions if you have any.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

it’s not a priority right now, maybe when I get extra money.

I’m looking forward to it though

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

Check your library. Mine has one available to use at many of the branches in my area. If I ever come up with something to print instead of buying one I’m going to try that out. Then if I decide to get really into it, I’ll have practical knowledge to know what I’d actually want to buy.

Instead, I’ve just never done any 3D printing, which is also fine.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

What are everyday uses for a 3D printer?

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Great for fixing items around the house. Anything that is plastic or could be replaced with plastic can usually be printed. Also great for hardware and jigs. I’ve had mine for a bit over a month now and have been constantly running it. Check out printables or thingiverse to get an idea of what people are printing. Both are websites people upload models to.

permalink
report
parent
reply

A Flipper Zero. I probably have the components to make something functionally equivalent, but that form factor, all-in-one nature, and simple UI look nice.

I have no need for it, I just want to tinker.

permalink
report
reply
13 points
*

Same. Also a lockpicking learning set. Just seems fun.

permalink
report
parent
reply
22 points

It might sound dumb, but I thought for a long time if it was worth to buy a tablet or not. Because I suspected I wouldn’t even use it if had it. Then I found a great sale that helped me confirm my suspicion.

permalink
report
reply
7 points

I lounge around and browse Lemmy on mine.

permalink
report
parent
reply
5 points

If you don’t use it, maybe you could mount it in the kitchen to pull up recipes on. That’s what I would do, anyway

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points

That and a music remote if you have some Bluetooth speakers about the place.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

I bought a convertible Chromebook some time ago specifically to use as a sheet music reader, because the tablet I was using for that purpose was too small.

permalink
report
parent
reply
22 points

A cnc laser cutter with enough watts so it could cut thin metal but also acrylic and wood and stuff.

I would love to make rc airplanes, and medieval armor, and fun stuff like that

permalink
report
reply
18 points
*

An electric bike.

Always wanted one. Will never, ever happen though. The thousands of dollars they cost will always be better spent on bills/food/meds/doctors appointments.

permalink
report
reply
1 point

I felt the same, so I built one for around 5-600usd. If you have a bike, you can turn it into an e bike.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

You can get kits to retro fit a standard push bike. I think you can do that for a few hundred.

permalink
report
parent
reply
3 points
*

every decent conversion kit I’ve seen has been around a grand, and still requires you to buy a decent bike to put it on, plus puts the onus on me to not fuck everything up.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

Ah fair enough. I had second hand info from my partner who was looking into it. He already had a spare bike to convert and he didn’t think it was too expensive to do - favoured the option over buying an actual E bike that he wasn’t positive he’d use much.

permalink
report
parent
reply
1 point

saw a setup with a dewalt drill before

permalink
report
parent
reply

Asklemmy

!asklemmy@lemmy.ml

Create post

A loosely moderated place to ask open-ended questions

Search asklemmy 🔍

If your post meets the following criteria, it’s welcome here!

  1. Open-ended question
  2. Not offensive: at this point, we do not have the bandwidth to moderate overtly political discussions. Assume best intent and be excellent to each other.
  3. Not regarding using or support for Lemmy: context, see the list of support communities and tools for finding communities below
  4. Not ad nauseam inducing: please make sure it is a question that would be new to most members
  5. An actual topic of discussion

Looking for support?

Looking for a community?

Icon by @Double_A@discuss.tchncs.de

Community stats

  • 10K

    Monthly active users

  • 5.9K

    Posts

  • 319K

    Comments