Essential Tools for 3D Printing Beyond the Printer
This post is a companion to the Layered Insights Podcast, where I shared some of the most-used tools I keep on hand for 3D printing. These tools aren’t the printers themselves, but they make the process — especially post-processing — faster, easier, and safer.
👉 Note: The Amazon links below are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a commission.
Why Extra Tools Matter
3D printing is powerful, but most people underestimate the time and effort that goes into finishing prints. Removing supports, cleaning up edges, or dialing in a perfect surface finish can take as long as the print itself. That’s where the right tools make a huge difference.
Here’s my go-to list:
Ultrasonic Precision Knife:
🔗https://www.mcmaster.com/3415N11/
Pricey, but worth it for resin prints or tricky plastics.
Cuts with heat + vibration, so it glides through supports and parts with minimal effort.
Safety note: Wear PPE. The knife can release fine plastic particles and fumes of the plastic if it gets too hot when cutting.
Butane Torch:
🔗https://hacksmith.store/en-us/collections/mini-sabers
Probably my most-used tool.
Quickly cleans up stringing, smooths out scratches, and closes foam cells in materials like ColorFabb Varioshore to create a smooth shiny surface.
While there are plenty of torches on the market, my go-to is the Hacksmith Minisaber — its broader flame and less concentrated heat make it more versatile for post-processing prints..
Pro tip: Less is more — quick passes are all you need. Overheating = ruined part.
Safety note: Again, wear PPE for potential fumes.
Dental Picks:
Perfect for tight spots where supports hide.
Use the tip to get under or around supports, then leverage the shape of the tool to pry them out.
Be careful: they bend easily and the tips are sharp.
Tweezers:
Curved tweezers are my favorite — not for grabbing but for prying.
The curve gives you leverage to pop support off.
Straight ones can also work depending on geometry.
Spudger Pry Tools:
Best for larger surface areas where there is support.
I use the bent wedge the most for removing interface supports cleanly.
Use these to get between the support interface and the part.
Not sharp so they will not scratch the parts.
Diamond Needle Files:
For sanding and precision cleanup.
Great for dialing in tight tolerances, smoothing small features, or creating more of a clearance for assembled parts.
Utility Knife Blades:
Super sharp, perfect for scraping stuck interface support or cleaning beds.
Use older duller blades for print beds to avoid scratching.
I often the blade without a frame or handle so I can use the whole width of the blade and hold it at a very tight angle to the surface I am cleaning up.
There are plenty of handles out there to buy or print for a better and more secure grip of the blade.
Safety note: Fresh blades are very sharp, I highly suggest using cut resistant gloves.
Cut Resistant Gloves:
Cheap insurance against cuts and scars.
Especially useful when processing lots of parts and fatigue sets in and you become more clumsy and less precise with your work.
Plastic Razor Blades:
Safest tool on this list.
Removes prints, prime lines, or adhesives without scratching surfaces.
Perfect for cleaning build plates or peeling off sticky residue.
Great too to remove the adhesive from spring steel plates when you need to replace the build surface.
Palette Knife:
Technically a painting tool, but fantastic for removing TPU or stubborn prints that are stuck the the bed.
Thin, flexible, and slides under parts without gouging the bed.
Pro tip: For large parts, get the tool under the print and work it around the edge of the whole print to slowly detach it from the bed.
Deburring Tool:
Great for cleanly removing brims or elephant’s foot on the bottom of prints.
Can clean up edges and corners with stuck on support.
Smoothing or widening printed holes.
3D Pen:
Basically a mini extruder in your hand.
Use it for art, gap-filling, repairs, or combining parts.
Personalize prints with it or allow you customers to do so.
Pro Tip: For combining parts, use it like a welder. Where the two objects meet, work the pen back and forth between the two parts in a pattern to create a nice stitch of material to secure the parts together.
Digital Calipers:
Essential for designing, reverse-engineering, and checking tolerances.
A 6” caliper works for most needs; 12” is great for large-format printing.
Look at the Mitutoyo brand for top quality, but cheaper brands are fine for most 3D printing.
Media Blasting Cabinet (Wish List):
My dream tool for post-processing.
Great for smoothing SLS or FFF parts, especially complex geometries.
Would require compressed air + blasting media, but it’s the ultimate shortcut for finishing.
Wrapping Up
Post-processing doesn’t have to be a chore — the right tools make it faster, safer, and more enjoyable. These are the ones I rely on most often, and I’m always on the lookout for more.
💬 What about you? Comment below:
What tools do you use most for 3D printing?
Which ones are on your wish list?
