3D Printing
My First 3D Printer (Printrbot)
This photo shows my first-ever 3D printer, a Printrbot-style DIY machine with an open-frame design and a bright red heated bed. It’s a classic early maker-era printer: exposed motion rails, visible wiring, and a simple, functional build that makes you learn how everything works—whether you meant to or not. 😄
This printer was my introduction to the world of 3D printing, and it marks the beginning of my shift from “making by hand” into mixing digital fabrication with traditional crafting. It’s the same mindset I bring to my laser and leatherwork today: design it, build it, learn it, and improve it.
My Current 3D Printers (Upgraded Ender 3's)
This photo shows my current 3D printing workbench, featuring two Creality Ender 3 printers side-by-side. Over time, I’ve upgraded both machines with practical improvements focused on making them more consistent, easier to use, and far less noisy.
Upgrades include touch bed leveling, silent controller boards, magnetic print surfaces, and OctoPi (Raspberry Pi) print management for remote monitoring and control. Like most Ender 3 owners, I’ve also added a collection of 3D printed upgrade parts—the kind of tweaks that make the printers feel more like personalized tools than off-the-shelf machines.
This setup is a big part of how I prototype and produce parts for both hobby and workshop projects.
3D Printed D&D Logo (Personal Display)
This is an FDM 3D printed Dungeons & Dragons logo, printed as a solid tabletop display piece. The design features the iconic “D&D” lettering with the classic ampersand dragon silhouette in the center, giving it that unmistakable tabletop vibe.
Made for personal use only. NOT FOR SALE! (So stay off my back, Hasbro).
This print was made as a personal-use project only — a fun way to combine 3D printing with my love of tabletop RPGs and add some flair to my gaming space. It’s a great example of how even simple filament prints can make clean, bold decor pieces that look right at home on a shelf, desk, or game table.
3D Printed Cigar Stand (MUWAT)
A 3D printed cigar stand shown with a Kentucky Fire Cured Genuine MUWAT cigar. Designed as a compact desktop rest to keep a cigar elevated, stable, and off the table.
If you want, I can also write it in your same “NOT FOR SALE!” humor tone 😄
“I Only Have Eyes For You” – Animated Skull Prop (1 of 2)
A spooky (and slightly unhinged) skull prop with oversized, cartoon-style eyes — custom 3D printed and painted for maximum personality. The eyes were designed as separate printed pieces and then installed into the skull to create a fully animated effect. Using an Arduino, I programmed movement for both the eyes and the mouth, turning a static prop into a reactive character piece that’s perfect for Halloween displays, tabletop set dressing, or creepy workshop décor.
“I Only Have Eyes For You” – Animated Skull Prop (2 of 2)
A spooky (and slightly unhinged) skull prop with oversized, cartoon-style eyes — custom 3D printed and painted for maximum personality. The eyes were designed as separate printed pieces and then installed into the skull to create a fully animated effect. Using an Arduino, I programmed movement for both the eyes and the mouth, turning a static prop into a reactive character piece that’s perfect for Halloween displays, tabletop set dressing, or creepy workshop décor.
FDM Printed Dragon (Hand Painted)
This dragon was 3D printed on an FDM printer and then brought to life with a full hand-painted finish by my wife. The paintwork adds depth, texture, and personality that really makes the model pop — especially under studio lighting. You can spot this dragon on the shelf behind me during my current Greyhawk livestream on Lawful Stupid RPG (Twitch and YouTube), where it’s become a fun little piece of set décor and a nod to the tabletop worlds I love.
Resin Miniature Curing in UV Chamber
This photo shows a resin-printed miniature mid-process, curing inside a UV chamber. After printing, resin models need controlled UV exposure to fully harden and reach their final strength. The bright UV strips give the chamber that sci-fi glow, while the miniature sits centered and curing evenly. This is one of my favorite parts of the workflow — the moment a print goes from “fresh off the plate” to a finished piece ready for cleanup, priming, and paint.
Resin Printed Dragon Claw Dice Cup
This dice cup was printed in resin to capture crisp detail and clean edges. The design is a dramatic dragon’s claw hand, curled upward to hold a bowl-like cup for dice. It’s the kind of fantasy table accessory that feels like it was stolen straight from a dragon’s hoard. After printing, it was cleaned and UV cured, ready for sanding, priming, and finishing (or painting) depending on the final look.
3D Printed Dungeon Wall & Floor Diorama
This scene is a small tabletop diorama built from FDM printed dungeon wall and floor pieces, with added “wood beam” accents made from popsicle sticks. Everything was hand painted with a damp, grimy ambience — stained stone, water streaking, and mold creeping along the masonry for that perfect “this place is definitely haunted” feel.
The miniature in the scene was a gift from a good friend and represents me as the DM. It features my outfit from The Haunted Chronicles games, and includes a badger companion inspired by my character in Isjfell from Lawful Stupid RPG.
Resin Printed Chalice
This chalice was printed in resin and cured, but unfortunately took a hard hit after being dropped on the floor, leaving a noticeable chip along the rim.
That little accident was a valuable lesson: resin prints can be beautifully detailed, but they can also be brittle. After this, I started mixing in a small amount of flexible resin to give finished prints a bit more durability and impact resistance.
John Brightspell – FDM Printed Miniature
This is my miniature of John Brightspell, printed on an FDM printer and finished with a full hand-painted paint job by my lovely wife.
I love this one because it’s a perfect example of how much personality you can get out of an FDM print with the right paintwork — the pose, the coat, and the “mid-casting” energy make him feel like he’s actively performing at the table.
Resin Printed Unicorn (Hand Painted)
This unicorn was resin printed and then brought to life with a full hand-painted finish. The base was later upgraded with added rocks and greenery to give it a more natural, storybook look.
It’s one of my favorite examples of how 3D printing and traditional hobby painting can team up — especially when you’ve got someone with an artist’s touch doing the finishing work.
Accessible Spell Slot Tokens + FDM Chalice
This project is one of my favorite examples of mixing 3D printing formats for maximum usefulness. The chalice was printed on an FDM printer, while the spell slot tokens were resin printed for sharper detail and a smoother finish.
The tokens were designed with accessibility in mind: each token’s shape matches the number it represents, making them usable for visually impaired players. (For example, a “3” token is a triangle.)
These are used as spell counters at the table, letting players track available and spent spell slots quickly and cleanly — no pencil marks, no erasing, no confusion.
Dragonlock Dungeon Wall – Lit Terrain Section
This is a multi-piece dungeon terrain set (models by Fat Dragon Games) printed on an FDM printer and assembled using the Dragonlock modular connection system.
Each piece is designed to snap together cleanly for quick layout changes during play. The entire set was hand painted by my lovely wife, bringing out the stone texture and worn dungeon feel.
The highlight on this section is the working torch, lit by an LED powered from a coin cell battery hidden inside the wall interior, adding a dramatic “live table” effect for RPG sessions.
Custom Keystone Jack Plate (Conference Table Insert)
This was one of my first “real world” functional 3D prints: a custom keystone jack plate designed to fit an existing opening in a conference room table.
The desk already had a panel slot, but we couldn’t find a commercial keystone plate that fit the dimensions. So I measured the keystone jack size and the table’s panel opening, then modeled a plate that would mount correctly.
The back includes snap-fit tabs so the plate locks into the conference desk panel securely without additional hardware. It holds three keystone jacks (this photo shows an early test print).
This version was printed in orange filament as a test, while the final part was printed in black ABS for a cleaner look and improved durability.
Eight years later, it’s still in use.
Hinged 3D Printed Wallet with Money Clip (2016 Era Print)
This was one of my early functional 3D prints: a hinged wallet with an integrated money clip, printed in PLA.
I used this wallet as my everyday carry for over a year, and it held up far better than anyone expected at the time. Back in 2016, 3D printing still felt like straight-up wizardry to most people — and whenever someone saw it, they immediately wanted one.
So I ended up printing several more and giving them away to friends, coworkers, and even waiters — because honestly, if someone thought it was cool, it was hard not to share the fun.