If you’re new to 3D printing, congratulations!
You’ve voluntarily joined a hobby that turns plastic into objects—and sometimes turns your money into even more plastic.
Before you start filling your workshop with every accessory you can find, let’s cover the essentials. These are the tools and supplies I recommend keeping near your 3D printer to make printing, maintenance, and cleanup much easier.
1. Spare Nozzles
A spare nozzle can save the day when your current one becomes clogged, damaged, or worn out.
Different nozzle sizes also serve different purposes:
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0.4 mm: The everyday choice for most prints
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0.2 mm: Great for miniatures and fine details
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0.6/0.8 mm: Better for larger parts and faster prints
Make sure the nozzle is compatible with your printer. You should also consider the material you plan to print. If you’re using an abrasive filament such as carbon-fiber PLA, a hardened-steel nozzle is a smart choice.
2. An Extra Build Plate
Different build plates can change both bed adhesion and the finish on the bottom of your print.
Smooth plates produce a clean bottom surface, while textured plates leave a visible pattern. Textured PEI plates are popular, but cold plates such as the CryoGrip can also help PLA and PETG stick securely.
Whatever plate you use, keep it clean. If you’re having adhesion problems, wash the plate with warm water and Dawn dish soap. Finger oils and residue can prevent an otherwise good first layer from sticking.
Different plates, different textures—and sometimes very different results.
3. Spare PTFE or Bowden Tubes
PTFE tubes, often called Bowden tubes, guide filament into the printer.
Over time, these tubes can wear out, develop tears, or become clogged. Keeping a spare nearby makes replacement quick and prevents a damaged tube from causing feeding problems in the middle of a print.
4. Flush Cutters and Needle-Nose Pliers
A good pair of flush cutters is one of the most useful tools you can keep next to your printer.
Many printers include a basic pair, but they aren’t always the best quality. A sturdy pair from Klein Tools or a smaller pair from Craftsman can make trimming filament and cleaning prints much easier.
Needle-nose pliers are also useful for removing supports and reaching into narrow areas without damaging the print—or your fingers.
5. Cleanup Tools
Supports rarely remove themselves without leaving behind a little evidence.
A deburring tool helps clean rough edges and remove excess material. Dental picks are surprisingly useful for reaching small supports and tight, detailed areas.
Once you start using dental picks on 3D prints, you’ll wonder how you ever cleaned a print without them.
6. A Digital Caliper
If you plan to design your own parts, buy a decent digital caliper.
A caliper lets you measure objects accurately before recreating them in CAD. It’s also helpful for checking wall thickness, hole sizes, tolerances, and finished dimensions.
Fowler and Clockwise make solid options without jumping straight to the highest price range. If you want something more premium, Mitutoyo is another popular choice.
You don’t need the most expensive caliper available. You need one that provides consistent measurements and is easy to use.
7. Airtight Filament Storage and Desiccant
Moisture can affect filament and reduce print quality, so keep airtight containers or resealable storage bags near your printer.
Add desiccant to help control moisture inside each container. Some people will tell you that PLA never needs to be dried, but proper storage can still help keep it printing consistently. Moisture-sensitive materials such as TPU require even more attention.
Regardless of the filament type, keeping it dry can improve the quality and reliability of your prints.
Your Basic 3D Printing Starter Kit
Here’s the complete checklist:
🛠️ Tools and accessories mentioned (Some Affiliate Links To Help Support the Channel):
• Spare 3D printer nozzles - https://amzn.to/4rbo97W
• Extra build plates - https://amzn.to/4Agaj8p
• PTFE or Bowden tubes - https://amzn.to/4785wIM
• Klein Tools Flush cutters - https://amzn.to/3VitwpZ
• Needle-nose pliers- https://amzn.to/4rmoMvt
• Deburring tools - https://amzn.to/4htDeOT
• Dental picks - https://amzn.to/4yFpFSm
• Clockwise digital calipers - https://amzn.to/4iwRHLa
• Fowler digital calipers - https://amzn.to/4yG84tv
• Airtight filament storage and desiccant - https://amzn.to/4h8ksv0
You don’t need to buy everything on day one. As you gain experience, you’ll quickly figure out which tools and accessories make the biggest difference for the projects you enjoy.