I accidentally bought a 3D printer in 2021

I just bought a 3D printer. Here’s what it means for A Tribe Called Cars, things I have printed so far and the DIY build process.

Years ago, when 3D printing was so young it struggled to grow a beard, I wrote an article about the best 3D printers money could buy. Some looked amazing, all metallic and shiny. While some looked like a school project gone wrong. One where the teacher was inebriated throughout.

Weirdly enough, that particular printer – the Prusa Mendel – is the predecessor to what I just emptied my bank account on. Now it is time to meet my lovely gathering of black metal, orange plastic and confusing circuitry.

Yes, the super secret gadget thing mentioned in numerous videos is the Prusa MK3S+. One of the best 3D printers for consumers. Not the Mk4, which I expect to be released soon because Sod’s Law.

Most of my family think I am mad for buying a 3D printer. However, I know for a fact that my gadget-loving grandpa – a fellow photography and audio nerd like me – would have been as intrigued. The possibilities of 3D printing are endless. Well, almost.

I mean, scientists are printing organs. For the body, that is, not a church. Although you could probably print those too if your printer was big enough.

If you have ever built a PC or played with Lego or Mecanno, maybe not Duplo, you probably could build a Prusa MK3S+ yourself. And given the price of some of the more exotic Lego sets, afford one too.

Between opening the sizable cardboard box like it was Christmas day and turning it on without causing a fire or postcode blackout was around nine hours. The record is four apparently. Admittedly, I did make two mistakes that meant some minor disassembly.

Why did I choose to build my 3D printer and not have it delivered already made? Because it means learning how a 3D printer works. Already in a month or so I can diagnose numerous printing issues. But the main reason is that it saved me £150.

NOTE: Useful 3D printer tools & recommended filaments

What is Prusa?

Prusa is the brainchild of Josef Prusa, who comes from the Czech Republic. Home of Tatra, as SnowRunner fans may know. I picked Prusa because, despite costing more than its rivals, you supposedly spend more time printing and less time troubleshooting.

And with my schedule making YouTube videos, updating my website, learning to play the Ukelele (okay that one is a lie) and trying to start a super secret side project I figured ease of use was important. I have officially reached the age where I simply want things to work.

Why did I buy a 3D printer in 2021? Good question. Firstly, I have waited about a decade to do so and I am fortunate enough that I was able to afford one. Just about.

The second reason is that I want to diversify A Tribe Called Cars and 3D printing crosses over nicely. Without giving too much away, I mean some of you may have a rough idea, I think fans of SnowRunner and other driving games will enjoy the related content.

There is also a chance that I could sell some cool 3D printed things in the official Tribe shop that exists on ATribeCalledCars.com, but I have not added anything to it yet. Stay tuned – I have a cunning plan. Two of my ideas are pretty elaborate. No pressure.

Print successes & fails

Anyway, the most important bit of this video. What have I printed so far and how badly did I fail? Well, my first print was this martian keyring that comes on the SD card in the Prusa MK3S+ box. It can go on a keyring, looks pretty cool. Nothing siezed up or melted. A good start.

However, I then tried to print the Child or Baby Yoda as he is better known. Worth a watch, the Mandalorian TV show on Disney+. Even if you are not mad about Star Wars.

This model looks good at first glance. However, this was before I realised I could print at higher resolutions so it is pretty liney. Sorry, Baby Yoda.

Next issue, you see under his ears and sleeves? These are called overhangs and you need to use something called a support if they are too long and too steep. Otherwise the 3D printer struggles to put the plastic where it needs to and it sags or looks like spaghetti.

Baby Yoda’s ears get away with the issue because it looks like fur. Old yoda has furry ears, right? But the sleeves look too bad to be a fabric defect. I could probably paint it as is or spray on some primer and use sandpaper for a smooth finish.

Because as someone said, 3D printing can be 90 per cent sanding. I can relate to that already. Just like painting a wall, imperfections you see now you will see later regardless of how much paint you slap on. Preparation is everything.

Of course, good 3D print settings help too. The opposite of what I used for Pikachu Mk 1. No, he was not dismembered in an industrial accident. This is what happens when the extruder nozzle smacks into the model and then moves it so you have to stop printing.

Now I print with what is called a brim, which is basically a thin layer around the model that helps it stick to the print bed and has nothing to do with fancy hats. Good cleaning of said bed and the ability to heat it up also helps with adhesion.

Not to be defeated, here is my second attempt that has a tail and a base. Same model. I did some mild sanding and used yellow primer spray paint. Looks pretty cool, but I did not sand this for too long so there are still some surface issues.

This print was more about getting used to supports as Pikachu’s bum sticks out quite far – not fat shaming him, don’t worry – and there is a large gap between his tiny feet. I did not want Yoda Sleeve issues again. Weird sentence. I also upped the detail and used a brim.

Oh, yeah, can’t show you this stuff yet. Do not worry, it is not an adult toy.

My next print was something useful. No offence, Pikachu and Yoda. Yes, 3D printing requires tools and I have enough clutter in my life so I printed a tool holder.

The free 3D model from Thingiverse is a remix of another design. Basically, it adds an optional tray area. Comes with holes for allen keys, screw drivers, can hold a marker pen, SD memory cards, glue, pliers, tweezers, brass brush, nozzle needle for cleaning and so on.

It just clips to the frame above the power supply and that is it. I did zero sanding, used something called Prusament PLA for the material, Jet Black is the colour, and I printed at 230 degrees for a shinier finish. 215 is more common, but it worked nicely.

Upgrading the Prusa MK3S+

I have also done some structural upgrades such as this slab of orange PETG plastic that helps strengthen the frame and improve print quality. Yes, the shade is different to the Prusa stuff because I wanted to test out a different brand.

I also printed what is effectively a hat for one of the motors that gets a bit toasty in the summer. I will then connect a five volt Noctua 40mm by 20mm fan and connect that to the circuit board.

Other modifications include new feet that supposedly help reduce vibration over the standard rubber offerings, a cable holder to keep the LCD screen ribbon from getting caught by moving parts and the first of a few drawers that sit neatly below my £7 IKEA Lack table. Because storage.

These are pretty cool, you have got the drawer itself that lives inside a jet black frame. Two magnets at the end of the compartment give it a slightly satisfying closing feel. One of the models warped because I had bad settings but I will make it work. No point wasting plastic.

So what is next on the 3D print list? Well, that is a surprise but I will say the things will be more fun! And maybe have wheels. Hopefully you enjoy this side-project. It will not affect the usual content so expect SnowRunner and other driving games as usual. Let me know what you would like to see.

And that is it for this video, thank you for watching. Feel free to subscribe, like and share. Maybe even give me some suggestions as to what I should print. Until next time! Take care, bye.

Featured 3D prints

Ben Griffin

Ben Griffin is a motoring journalist and the idiot behind the A Tribe Called Cars YouTube channel and website. He has written for DriveTribe, CNN, T3, Stuff, Guinness World Records, Custom PC, Recombu Cars and more.