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Upgrades

Filament Dryer vs Dry Box: Which One Do You Actually Need?

March 31, 2026 by Derek

Filament dryer vs dry box comes down to one simple difference: a filament dryer removes moisture from wet filament, while a dry box mainly keeps already-dry filament from absorbing more moisture. If your spool is already wet, buy a dryer. If your spool is already dry and you want to store it properly, use a […]

Filed Under: Upgrades Tagged With: 3d printer filament moisture, 3d printing accessories, dry box for filament, dry filament guide, filament desiccant box, filament dryer, filament dryer vs dry box, filament moisture problems, filament storage, how to dry filament, how to keep filament dry, nylon filament drying, petg wet filament, tpu wet filament, wet filament symptoms

What to Buy with a 3D Printer: Essential Accessories That Actually Matter

March 26, 2026 by Derek

If you are wondering what to buy with a 3D printer, the short answer is this: start with PLA filament, flush cutters, a scraper or print removal tool, and a basic cleaning setup. After that, buy upgrades only when the printer gives you a real reason. That is the smartest beginner move. Most people do […]

Filed Under: Upgrades Tagged With: 3D printer maintenance, 3d printing tools, 3D printing upgrades, beginner 3d printing gear, best 3d printer accessories, digital calipers, essential 3d printer accessories, filament dryer, first layer tools, must have 3d printer accessories, nozzle cleaning kit, PEI build plate

PEI vs Glass Bed (Which Is Better for 3D Printing in 2026?)

March 26, 2026 by Derek

PEI is better than glass for most 3D printing because it offers stronger adhesion, easier print removal, and less maintenance. Glass can still be useful for ultra-smooth finishes, but it requires more effort to get consistent results. If you’re deciding between PEI vs glass bed, this will save you a ton of trial and error. […]

Filed Under: Upgrades Tagged With: 3d printer build surface, 3D printer upgrades, 3D printing tips, adhesion comparison, build plate upgrade, ender 3 pei vs glass, first layer comparison, glass bed adhesion, pei sheet benefits, pei vs glass bed

Do You Need an Uninterruptible Power Supply for 3D Printing?

March 10, 2026 by Derek

A random power blip can turn a long print into plastic trash fast. That is why a lot of makers ask the same question: do you need an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for 3D printing? The honest answer is sometimes. If your printer has a solid power loss recovery feature, you may survive short outages […]

Filed Under: Recommended Products, Upgrades Tagged With: 3d printer backup power, 3d printer power loss recovery, 3D printer setup, 3d printing power outage, 3d printing reliability, 3D printing tips, 3d printing troubleshooting, 3d printing workflow, long 3d prints, maker workshop upgrades, protect 3d prints from power outages, uninterruptible power supply 3d printer, ups for 3d printer

Heat-Set Inserts for 3D Prints: Strong, Reusable Threads Without Stripping

March 3, 2026 by Derek

If you have ever tried to screw a bolt into a 3D printed hole and thought, “That lasted two turns,” you are not alone. Heat-set inserts are one of the best upgrades you can make to functional 3D printed parts. They allow you to use real machine screws such as M3, M4, and M5 in […]

Filed Under: Guides, Recommended Products, Troubleshooting, Upgrades Tagged With: 3D printing hardware, 3D printing tips, brass heat set inserts, functional 3D prints, hardware for 3D prints, heat set inserts, heat set inserts for 3D prints, installing heat set inserts, mechanical 3D prints, metal inserts in plastic, preventing stripped threads, reusable threads in 3D prints, screws in 3D prints, strong 3D printed threads, threaded inserts for plastic

Source: DallE3 - Artist rendering of nozzles with a hyper-artistic flair

3D Printer Nozzles (2026): Types, Sizes, Materials + What to Buy

February 18, 2026 by Katey

If you’re a 3D printing enthusiast like me, you’ve probably heard that the nozzle plays a major role in print quality and if you haven’t, now you know. Whether you’re new to the hobby or industry or an intermediate, welcome — by the end of this post, you’ll have a much better understanding of just […]

Filed Under: Blog, Guides, Product Reviews, Recommended Products, Upgrades Tagged With: 3D printer maintenance, 3D printer nozzle, 3D printing nozzles, abrasive filament nozzle, brass 3D printer nozzle, FDM printer nozzle, hardened steel nozzle, improving print quality, nozzle cleaning, nozzle clogging, nozzle diameter, nozzle size 3D printing, replacing 3D printer nozzle, ruby nozzle, unclogging 3D printer nozzle

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