I plan to relocate to a new place next year, and with that comes the familiar anxiety of packing. As I gaze upon my collection of 3D printers, I wonder if these devices could actually assist in making the entire moving experience smoother.
To explore this idea, I began searching various 3D printing resources and discovered some clever designs that could help with the move. I’m excited to try them out once I finally get started on my packing.
You’ll Enjoy This One
One interesting design I found is a print-in-place model that functions similarly to those classic kick-stopper doorstops. Created by Anefecious, the Kicky Door Stopper utilizes a 3D printer’s capability to craft intricate internal structures. Made from standard PLA filament, it features a unique release mechanism that allows you to remove the doorstop using just your foot. If your floors are hard rather than carpeted, consider adding a rubber pad to the bottom for added traction.
This Box Flap Retainer Keeps Things in Place
An Issue We Often Forget Until Moving Day
Ragni Hefthyn has modified a design for a Cardboard Box Flap Retainer, making it stronger for practical use. Meanwhile, the original design by Ryan Amey could suffice for temporary needs. This simple tool can be printed in various sizes to fit your boxes. It effectively addresses the annoying problem of box flaps that won’t stay down when open. Having dealt with cardboard cuts in the past, I see myself printing several of these for both packing and unpacking.
Cardboard Carrying Handles
Enhancing Your Grip on Moving Day
Created by MGDesign, these Cardboard Carrying Handles tackle the common inconvenience of carrying boxes. Instead of awkwardly grabbing the bottom of a box, these handles can be punched through the sidewall, offering a reinforced, comfortable grip. While you might need to tap them in lightly, they provide an excellent way to lift your boxes without the struggle of lifting them from below. Just make sure the contents inside are packed appropriately, as overloading boxes can lead to issues.
Velcro Box Tabs for Temporary Storage
Simply Add Velcro
These Velcro tabs for cardboard boxes serve a different purpose than the flap retainers. Instead of pinning flaps down, these tabs enable you to securely close a box while still allowing for easy access. This comes in handy during a move, as you may need items from a box immediately while still requiring access later. These tabs prevent dust and other intrusions without the hassle of retaping, especially helpful for dealing with numerous boxes.
The only catch is that you’ll need to purchase adhesive Velcro strips, but you’ll likely have to purchase supplies like rubber pads for the door stoppers anyway, so it’s not a major inconvenience. You could also consider adapting the design to use magnets instead of Velcro.
Moving Made Easier with a 3D Printer
It’s surprising that more of these innovative solutions haven’t hit the market commercially. Fortunately, talented designers worldwide have crafted numerous tools that make moving into a new place more manageable. Don’t forget to use solid infill for any printed items that will bear weight or need to endure wear and tear.
