3D Printed - Father's Day Gift Essentials

Father's day is almost here ! Make fathers day special this year by 3D printing one of the STL file attached in the steps below to go with your gift.

Don't have a 3D printer then act fast ! and use the "Print with 3D Hubs!" button and get it printed by 3D Hubs service by some one in your town/city. And if you've waited for the last minute, get to your local MakerSpace or library which should potentially have a 3D Printer.

Select something simple like a key chain or something a little more fancy like a Tie clip or a Cufflinks..

Or if your into giving gift cards, 3D print the base and the holder stl files and add a gift card.And once Father's day is over this holder double up as a Photograph/Card holder.

Your options are arranged, starting with the key chains which take the least time to print and so on.

I'd like to give a shout-out @deshmukhwafa, who prompted this idea, and had send me a message on twitter a few days back asking, if I was doing some 3D printed stuff, similar for father's day after she saw my Gift Card Holder for Mother Day instructable..The Key Chains and Tie clip was something she suggested to keep it simple! so that she could get it printed from the local Library ..

Step 1: 3D Print a Key Chain for Dad

Download the 3D printing software that you printer supports, in my case i am using the Printrbot Simple Metal which use Repetier-Host as a software to

• Slice the STL files attached, which basically means cutting the part into various layers
• And send commands to the 3D printer while printing

Download the STL file attached and load it in your printer software and slice the file, based on your printer setting

• Slicing the STL file should take about 2-3 Seconds
• And the print time should be about 6- 7 mins

In my case with the Printrbot Simple Metal I am using Hatchbox Black 1.75mm PLA filament

Step 2: Paint Your 3D Prints

This is an Optional step, if you can get your hands on a paint marker , paint the alphabets on top of the Key Chains so that it is easily visible.

Here I am using Uni Paint Fine line marker.

Step 3: Tie Clip

Download the STL file attached and load it in your printer software and slice the file, based on your printer setting

• Slicing the STL file should take about 4-5 Seconds
• And the print time should be about 11- 13mins

In my case with the Printrbot Simple Metal I am using Hatchbox Green 1.75mm PLA filament

Step 4: Gift Card/Picture Holder

Download the GiftCardBase.stl file attached and load it in your printer software and slice the file, based on your printer setting

• Slicing the STL file should take about 8-9 Seconds
• And the print time should be about 14- 16 mins

In my case I am using Hatchbox black 1.75mm PLA filament

Now select one of the two Gift Card Holder STL files and print them out using a different filament from that of the base,in my case I am using MarkerBot Red Filament.

• Slicing should take a couple of seconds
• And the print time should be about 4-8 mins depending on the design you have selected

Snap the 3D printed parts into each other as shown in the picture above.

Add the Gift card to the holder. And once Farther's day is over this holder double up as a Photograph/ card holder.

Now if you plan on designing your own message , get 123D Design and the 123dx file attached at the link.

Step 5: Print Cufflinks

Now if you plan on giving Dad a Formal Shirt this year for father's day,download the Cufflink.stl file attached and load it in your printer software and slice the file, based on your printer setting

• Slicing the STL file should take about 12-15 seconds .In this case change your slicer setting to have the layer height set to 0.1mm.
• And the print time should be about 20- 25 mins

Now use a paint maker if you have one handy..