What Do I Need 3D Printed?

What Do I Need 3D Printed? A Practical Guide to Custom 3D Printing Solutions

If you've ever searched for a replacement part, a better way to organise your workspace, or a custom solution that simply doesn't exist off the shelf, you may be wondering: what do I need 3D printed?

The truth is that the best 3D printing projects aren't always complex inventions. More often, they're practical solutions to everyday problems. Whether you're a mechanic, engineer, motorsport team, tradesperson, or business owner, custom 3D printed parts can save time, improve organisation, and solve challenges that standard products can't.

What Types of Things Can Be 3D Printed?

Modern 3D printing can produce a wide range of functional components, including:

• Custom brackets
• Tool holders and organisers
• Wiring management systems
• Equipment mounts
• Prototype products
• Manufacturing jigs and fixtures
• Workshop storage solutions
• Motorsport components
• Sensor mounts
• Cable routing clips
• Product display stands
• Custom housings and enclosures

The real advantage of 3D printing is that parts can be designed specifically for your exact requirements rather than forcing you to adapt to a generic solution.

Start With the Problem, Not the Printer

When people ask, "What should I 3D print?", they're often asking the wrong question.

Instead, ask yourself:

• What keeps breaking?
• What keeps getting lost?
• What doesn't fit properly?
• What wastes time every day?
• What process could be more organised?

If you've ever used tape, cable ties, glue, or a temporary workaround to solve a recurring issue, there's a good chance a custom 3D printed part could provide a permanent solution.

3D Printed Workshop Solutions

Workshops are one of the most common places where 3D printing delivers immediate value.

Popular workshop projects include:

Tool Organisers

Custom holders designed around your exact tools, keeping everything visible and easy to access.

Battery Mounting Systems

Wall-mounted battery storage for cordless tool platforms such as Milwaukee, DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch.

Socket and Spanner Storage

Purpose-built racks that keep tools organised and reduce time spent searching for equipment.

Drill Charging Stations

Integrated charging systems designed specifically around your workspace.

Custom Jigs and Fixtures

Production aids that improve consistency, speed up assembly, and reduce mistakes.

A mechanic who saves just five minutes per day searching for tools could recover more than 20 hours of productive time each year. Small improvements quickly add up.

Motorsport and Automotive 3D Printing

Custom 3D printing has become increasingly popular within motorsport and automotive applications because vehicles often require bespoke components that aren't commercially available.

Common examples include:

• Wiring management solutions
• ECU mounting brackets
• Sensor holders
• Camera mounts
• Dashboard switch panels
• Radio mounting systems
• Pit equipment accessories
• Hose routing clips
• Data logging mounts
• Tool storage systems

In motorsport, reliability and organisation directly affect performance. Custom-designed components help teams streamline operations while maintaining a professional setup.

3D Printing for Businesses

Many businesses face challenges that standard products simply weren't designed to solve.

Custom 3D printed solutions can be used for:

• Manufacturing aids
• Assembly fixtures
• Product development prototypes
• Packaging inserts
• Branded product accessories
• Retail display stands
• Equipment mounts
• Process-improvement tools

Because tooling costs are virtually eliminated for low-volume production, 3D printing is often a cost-effective solution for one-off and small-batch projects.

When Does 3D Printing Make Sense?

3D printing is often the best option when:

✅ You need a one-off custom part

✅ You need a small production run

✅ A replacement part is unavailable

✅ You need a prototype quickly

✅ Traditional manufacturing costs are too high

✅ The design requires custom dimensions

✅ You need to test an idea before investing in production

The more unique the problem, the greater the advantage of custom 3D printing.

Examples of Parts You May Need 3D Printed

You may benefit from a custom 3D printed part if you need:

• A bracket that doesn't exist commercially
• A replacement clip or mount
• A bespoke electronics enclosure
• A workshop organisation system
• A cable management solution
• A manufacturing jig
• A prototype for a new product
• A customised storage solution
• A fixture designed around your workflow

If you've searched online and can't find exactly what you need, it's often a strong sign that a custom-designed part is the right solution.

What Do You Need 3D Printed?

The most successful 3D printed projects don't start with technology. They start with a problem.

Rather than asking, "What can I 3D print?", ask:

"What's the one thing that frustrates me every day that could be solved with a custom-made part?"

That answer could become a tool organiser, a wiring solution, a mounting bracket, a production aid, or even the first prototype of a new product.

Need a Custom 3D Printed Solution?

At Mullan Racing Ltd, we design and manufacture custom 3D printed parts for workshops, businesses, engineers, motorsport teams, and professionals who need practical solutions to real-world problems.

Whether you have a sketch, a concept, or simply an issue that needs solving, we can help design, prototype, and manufacture a part that fits your requirements perfectly.