PTFE tubes are used to define the filament path towards the extruder and hot end. Especially for Bowden-style extrusion setups, having extra or replacing the stock PTFE tubes is a welcome option.

Price: $10-$15 for 1 meter

Capricorn Bowden PTFE Tubing

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Hot ends are what melts and extrudes filament. As such, spare hot ends are always good to have on hand in case of any nozzle issues.

Price: $20+, varies depending on brand and quantity

E3D Hot Ends

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It’s common for a 3D print to stick on the bed. Spatulas can be used to more easily remove a model from the print bed. It saves a maker time, energy, and the appearance of their print!

Price: $10-$25, sold alone or in sets with other cleaning tools

BuildTak Spatula

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Calipers are used to measure filament lengths and printer parts. Precision for this is critical, and calipers can do just that!

Price: $10-$22 for digital ones

Calipers

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X-Acto knives are essential in any maker’s workshop. With blades constantly dulling or breaking, a few extras are always valued.

Price: ~$10 for a set of 100 to 200 blades

X-Acto Knife Blades

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If you haven’t heard of a deburring tool, you’re missing out! They’re excellent for making print post-processing much easier, like quickly trimming the sharp edges and corners of a part.

Price: $10-$20

Deburring Tool

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These toolboxes contain all the major tools required for 3D printing. Stay organized and ready for anything!

Price: $20-$40

Collapsible Toolbox

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Nozzle sets contain a number of different types of nozzles, along with nozzle cleaners. Since nozzles require frequent cleaning and changing, these sets are good for a maker to have on hand.

Price: $5-$15 for 10-piece sets

3D Printer Nozzles

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These sets contain differently sized hex wrenches that are often used to work on 3D printers. With a range of sizes, there’s no chance that they’d be missing just the one they need.

Price: $10-$20 for a 30-piece set

Hex Keys

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If you don’t want to decide on a particular tool to buy, you don’t have to. MatterHackers has already done the job of compiling two kits full of essential and premium 3D printing tools. Not surprisingly, the premium kit is more expensive but includes more tools.

Price: ~$50 for the essential kit; ~$90 for the premium kit

MatterHackers 3D Printing Tool Kit: Essentials

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MatterHackers 3D Printing Tool Kit: Premium

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MatterHacker’s Pro Series Tough PLA is perfect for when a maker wants to print tough and heat resistant parts but wants an easy-to-work-with material like PLA. It’s also sold in a huge variety of colors.

Price: ~$52 for a 1-kg spool

MatterHackers PRO Series Tough PLA

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3D printing with pure metal can only be done with metal 3D printers. A cheaper option is to use metal composite filaments, which have a specific amount of metal added to give prints a metallic look.

Price: $20-$40 for a 1-kg spool, depending on the brand

Decorative Metal Filament

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As the name suggests, glow-in-the-dark filaments let models glow after being exposed to light. It’s a cool material to work with and who doesn’t want a little more light in their life?

Price: $25-$40 for a 1-kg spool, depending on the brand

Glow-in-the-Dark Filament

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These filaments are thermochromic, which means they change color due to variations in temperature. Remember those color-changing toys in cereal boxes or mood rings? Same idea, but with this filament, the possibilities are endless!

Price: $20-$35 for a 1-kg spool, depending on the brand

GO-3D Print Color Change PLA

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A heat gun is extremely helpful when cleaning clogged nozzles, heating the print bed to remove stuck prints, and smoothing plastic prints. Gifts that make the work easier are always a good call!

Price: $15-$30

Where to get: Amazon

Wi-Fi power outlets can be used to turn on and off a 3D printer via a smartphone app. Still, for safety reasons, it’s not advisable to leave a printer on unmonitored.

Price: $15-$30 for a pack of 2 or 4

Where to get: Amazon

A magnetic disassembly mat can be very useful to segregate screws and other metallic parts as well as making notes. There’s no need to worry about screws or other pieces falling down or getting lost!

Price: $5-$20

Where to get: Amazon

3D pens are a fun and versatile way to draw and create 3D models. Let the maker in your life unleash their creativity!

Price: $30-$80

Find Out What Your Options Are

The Best 3D Pens – Buyer's Guide

No matter how much anyone says that they prefer function over form, everyone still wants their things to look good. With LEDs, one can have both! They’re an excellent addition to a printer’s frame or enclosure for looks. Plus, depending on where they’re placed, you can see the print area better!

Price: ~$20 per ~16 feet (available in different colors)

LED Strip Lighting

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In case you didn’t already know, the Raspberry Pi is a credit-card-sized single-board computer that’s an excellent base for all sorts of projects. For example, with a Pi, one can rig their 3D printer to be controllable over Wi-Fi.

If a maker wants something less mainstream, there are plenty of Raspberry Pi alternatives.

Price: $50-$60, depending on the model

Raspberry Pi 4 Model B

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A photography lightbox is useful to get great pictures of 3D prints. Especially if a maker sells their work, a photography lightbox will be a perfect gift for them.

Price: $15-$300, depending on size, quality, and brand

Photography Light Box

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There are several brands to choose from, but Creality provides two sizes that fit most printers. And they’re well regarded!

Price: $70-$110, depending on size and brand

Creality 3D Printer Enclosure

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Creality 3D Printer Enclosure Large

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Old furniture like wooden cabinets can be used to make excellent printer enclosures. The enclosure materials needed for this are old wooden furniture (preferably closed furniture like closets and cabinets) as well as glass or plexiglass.

You could also go for an enclosure made from the classic Ikea Lack table!

Price: Varies depending on design and materials

Where to get it: Instructables, for example

If you don’t want to use or buy any furniture for building the enclosure, plastic boxes always do the trick! They’re cheap alternatives to wooden or glass enclosures.

You’d need to buy a large plastic box, or multiple smaller boxes if the large ones aren’t available, cut a few holes and slits in it for the cables, and there you go! It’s a super easy and cheap way to make a useful gift for a maker.

Price: $30-$60, depending on size and source of materials

Where to get it: Amazon

A proper workstation is a must-have for any 3D printing workshop, and the good thing is it can be bought and built. Consider a heavy-duty shelf for putting all the tools, prints, and 3D printers that a maker could need.

Price: $50-$100, depending on size and brand

Marvel Vizion 3D Printer Workstation

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It’s very easy to mess up a workspace with unorganized tools. Filaments and other materials also require a special environment for proper storage. A storage unit would be perfect for keeping track of all the odds and ends!

Price: $20-$35, depending on size and brand

Hardware Storage Drawers

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Pegboards are great to mount on workshop walls. They allow for quick and easy organization. Plus, they look nice. Hundreds of models are available online and in your local hardware store. Take your pick!

Price: $25-$120, depending on size and brand

Pegboard

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A customized neon sign (or even a non-customized one) will set a maker’s workshop apart. Add some color and say something cool!

Price: $25-$105, depending on length and maker

Where to get: Amazon

3D printing takes time and requires watching over, so having something to do is nice. If you’re thinking of something fun and a bit different, why not go for a magazine stand?

Price: $15-$100, depending on design and size

Where to get: Amazon

When all else fails, gift cards are great presents. You pick the price, they pick the stuff.

Price: The price can be chosen by you!

Where to get: Amazon or MatterHackers