The best things to 3D print for workshop use are organizers, wall systems and small tools, and the most useful ones remove everyday inconveniences, according to Reddit users in r/functionalprint. Workshop-tools videos from Teaching Tech, a YouTube channel that tests printers and shop prints, have more than 3 million views combined.
CNC Kitchen, a YouTube channel that tests 3D printing hardware, set up Gridfinity drawers and a printed wall, but warned that its honeycomb wall panels took about 3 kg of filament and 70 hours of printing.
This roundup groups the most-printed workshop items by category and links to a detailed guide for each.
Best Things to 3D Print for Workshop Use, by Category
Prices checked on Amazon Oct 16, 2026. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
1. Drawer and bench organization
- Gridfinity bins and baseplates (Gridfinity guide)
- Socket trays, wrench racks and hex key holders (socket organizers)
- Drill bit and hex bit cases (drill bit holders)
- Screw and nut sorters
2. Wall storage
- Pegboard and Skadis hooks
- French cleat tool holders
- Battery and power tool mounts
- Wall hooks
- Cable clips and cord holders
3. Holding and clamping
- Spring clamps, Mantis clamps and small vises
- TPU soft jaws
- Bench dogs and stops (woodworking jigs)
4. Measuring and marking
- Screw measuring gauges
- Self-centering and marking gauges
- Fillet and radius gauges
- Speed squares (see 3D printed tools)
5. Hardware you can print
- Knobs
- Drawer handles
- Hinges
- Shelf brackets
- Spacers, washers and standoffs
- Screws
- Overview: 3D printed hardware
6. Shop upgrades
- Dust collection adapters and blast gates
- Drill guides with dust catchers
- Router templates (jigs)
Quick Picks: Where to Start
| If you want… | Print this first |
|---|---|
| Tidy drawers | Gridfinity baseplate + bins |
| A clear bench | Wall hooks or a pegboard/cleat holder |
| Faster sorting | Screw measuring gauge |
| A cleaner shop | Shop vac adapter |
| Use | Filament | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Indoor, light load | PLA | Stiff and easy, but creeps under constant load |
| Constant load, bumps, flex | PETG | Tougher; resists creep and impact better |
| Hot garage, car, outdoors | ASA | Heat and UV resistant; needs an enclosed printer |
| Grip, soft contact | TPU | Rubber-like |
Best Printers for Workshop Prints
| Printer | Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | Why it fits | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab P1S Combo | $549.00 | Enclosed: handles PETG and ASA hardware | Check price |
| Bambu Lab A1 | $299.99 | Accurate auto-calibration for good-fitting parts | Check price |
| Elegoo Centauri 2 Combo | $328.99 | Enclosed CoreXY with 4-color at a lower price | Check price |
What YouTube Creators Found About Workshop 3D Prints
These are findings from popular YouTube videos, paraphrased from their transcripts and credited. They are the creators’ experiences and claims, not my test results.
- Teaching Tech (Teaching Tech: “12 3D printed tools you need for your workshop”) says several of his picks are designed so M3 or M4 bolts cut their own thread on assembly. He also showed a screw measuring device by CMH and a plastic hammer for delicate jobs printed at 100% infill. For a tiny vise by Prima, he printed the knurled screw at 100, 95 and 90% scale to find the best fit.
- CNC Kitchen (CNC Kitchen: “The Best 3D Printed Organizers for your Workshop”) set up Gridfinity drawers, wall filament storage and a Multiboard-style wall. He printed hangers in PETG with four walls and M3 heat-set inserts. He also warned that his honeycomb wall panels took about 3 kg of filament and 70 hours of printing, so sometimes you shouldn’t print everything just because you can.
- Reddit (r/functionalprint) users list impact socket trays, parts trays, shelf brackets, coat hooks, cable clips, French cleat holders and chair spacers among their most useful prints. As one put it, it’s a matter of removing inconveniences as they pop up.
More Workshop Organizers
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I 3D print first for my workshop?
Organizers: Gridfinity bins, a socket tray or a few wall hooks. They are quick, low-risk and useful immediately.
What filament is best for workshop prints?
PETG for most shop items; PLA for drawers and gauges; ASA if the garage gets hot.
Can I print hardware like hinges and brackets?
Yes, for light duty. See the hardware section above and use metal hardware for anything heavy.
Is it cheaper to print or buy shop organizers?
Small items are usually cheaper to print. Large wall systems can take kilograms of filament and days of print time.
Sources
- Teaching Tech: “12 3D printed tools you need for your workshop”
- CNC Kitchen: “The Best 3D Printed Organizers for your Workshop”
- Teaching Tech: “12 more 3D printed tools”
- r/functionalprint: List of functional prints
- Amazon product listings for the printers linked above, October 16, 2026
Related: 3D Printed Tools | 3D Prints for Garage Organization | Gridfinity for Beginners | 3D Printed Pegboard Accessories
Notes and disclosure
Note: Printer prices come from Amazon listings on October 16, 2026 and change often. The ideas below come from popular YouTube creators and Reddit threads, credited where used. My own hands-on results will be added after my planned test prints.
Affiliate Disclosure: If you purchase an item through the links on this page, I may receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting the channel.