Revisiting 3D Printed Tools – Are They ACTUALLY Functional Now? Protopasta Exotic Filaments Tested
11A few months ago, the Swedish Maker explored the idea of 3D printing functional tools—but with advancements in filament technology, can we finally make tools that actually work? Today, I’m revisiting this concept with cutting-edge composite and metal-infused filaments from ProtoPasta.
All prints were done on the Bambu Lab A1 Mini, and we’ll be testing a lineup of tools, including:
🔩 A fully printed metal 10mm wrench
🔧 A replica Craftsman oversized socket wrench with a couple of sockets
⚒️ A hammer with a PLA handle and a steel-hardened head
🪛 Two screwdrivers (flathead & Phillips) with composite steel shafts and PLA handles
⚔️ A 3D printed iron katana (for aesthetics, not slicing!)
🧪 Copper-infused pipe prints vs. traditional silk metal PLA
Can these filaments hold up to real-world use, or are we still in the realm of prototypes? Let’s put them to the test and see if 3D printing is ready to replace some traditional tools!
Check out Swedish Maker’s original video here: • 3D print REAL tools
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