Tim Brookes/How-To Geek Published March 28, 2026 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time
Tim Brookes has covered technology for nearly 20 years. He covers a wide range of subjects, from product reviews to security. His focus is on Apple, consumer advice, and productivity. Tim is a freelance writer who has produced original content, video and thousands of articles. He is a journalism graduate who found success as a free-lancer. With a laptop, he can work anywhere. Tim is still a writer.
He’s a senior editor for iPhone, Mac and Smart Home at How-To Geek. Tim also writes roundups, productivity articles and other posts on the Zapier blog. Tim worked as an Apple editor and writer for MakeUseOf (19459013)
earlier in his career. Tim lives in Brisbane Australia. He loves video games and hiking, but also enjoys spending time with his partner, Inka, and their two cats Roger and Inka. It’s important to repair things.
A 3D printer can help you learn how to design items. Here are a few examples that will give you some ideas on how to use a 3D Printer and potentially save money.
Parts that no longer are available for purchase
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An appliance or tool may break and finding a new part can be difficult. You can model a new part for an item that still has a lot of life in it.
For example, a powertool with a broken motor but a working button, and then fix the problem yourself. Two other commenters had a similar problem when someone posted on Reddit a fix to a vintage can open.
One person even asked for the file so they could make it themselves. Another person created a door latch and winding system for a Soviet-era camera. (Good luck finding the parts). These items, without a 3D printed model that works, would only be displayed or worse, thrown away.
Prices of OEM parts
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Admittedly, the many refrigerator fixes that I have seen on Reddit in the past inspired me to write this article. Many of us are familiar with this problem: A shelf or bracket breaks, and the manufacturer demands an excessive fee for a replacement.
The 3D printer will help repair broken door shelves using plexiglass or PETG, scrap wood and a bracket. It’s the same for freezer compartments that have broken door latches. I used to pay to replace these parts in the past but, now that I own a 3D Printer, I would rather spend some time on the issue and improve my modeling skills.
Toys, and other objects that don’t seem “worth” fixing
NERF/Hasbro
You might want to consider 3D printing if you, like myself, are not a fan of the consumer mindset, where items are simply thrown out rather than being repaired. This is especially relevant to children’s toys, as replacement parts are not usually available, even for durable items.
For example, take the humble NERF pistol. Reddit users have solved problems based on missing plastic parts.
They guessed the correct shape and then printed it. One user created a 90o bracket to replace a broken set of goalposts (and has now the model, for when the other side goes). Another example is luggage. One user created a new suitcase handle. You should print your luggage handle in something durable, since you are familiar with the baggage handlers.
High-wear Items
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In the ten years that my dryer has been in operation, I have replaced the door-pin twice. This was not only a bad decision by the manufacturer, it is also a very high-wear part that can break because it is constantly hitting the latch on the interior of the dryer door.
Next time, I will fire up my printer. You might be in the same situation as another Redditor whose dryer’s door hinge broke. Three years later, the person who posted this picture still has it. The design was improved with the addition of screws to reinforce it.
The microwave is one of the most used household appliances. Often, it is the latch that fails before the electronic components. The microwave will be rendered useless if the door does not close. You may not need to design a replacement latch. Knobs can also crack, break, or fall off. In a second-hand store, you might come across an item that is in good condition except for a knob missing.
You can print your own mount as long as you understand how it works.
The replacement may not be as durable as the original injection-molded part, but you can print it again once you find a fix (and perhaps use ABS or PETG next time).
The things your landlord will not fix
Dealing with property managers and landlords was my worst nightmare before I bought the house where I now live. Fixing things was so difficult that I chose my battles and endured everything else. The 3D printer is perfect for temporary fixes or inexpensive ones.
You can’t always tear apart the house and fix it permanently when you are renting. You’re then left with only “temporary” permanent fixes, which remain in place until the problem is resolved or you decide to move. A spacer can be used to stop the hinges from dragging the door on the ground. A printed mounting for an inexpensive doorbell that will fit the older model is another option.
You can make small improvements on items that you do not want to replace.
Photo credit: Tim Brookes/How-To Geek.
There are many things in the home that work well, but need a little tweaking to remove friction.
One example would be a faucet which looks nice but has a tendency to wobble when the head is moved. Other examples could be Wi-Fi boosters to improve coverage or mounting sensors for smart home upgrades.
Important items that cannot wait
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I can’t live without my glasses.
I don’t know what I would do if I was forced to wait for two weeks to get a new pair. This explains the many 3D printed glasses repairs posted on websites, often for broken arms.
A key that has a plastic covering is another item which cannot be left to wait. It would normally require a pair pliers to apply enough pressure to the key in order to open a lock. Reddit users did it by pausing at mid-point, adding the key into a channel and then printing on top of it.
A huge shout out to the Reddit r/functionalprint group, where I found many inspiring designs. You might be interested to hear how 3D printing can improve power tools if you are feeling handy.