If you’re a tech enthusiast, a.k.a techie, you probably already have a few technological 3d printing related hobbies. Most techies are also gamers, so chances are you already have a gaming system and a slew of games that you’ve played enough times to wear off the initial excitement and intrigue. If you’re looking for other hobbies that will satisfy your need to tinker and toy with technology, try getting into the following four activities in your spare time including 3d printing:
1. 3D Printing
3D printing is an extremely fascinating hobby to take up, even if you’re not into technology. The kinds of items you can reproduce with a high-quality 3D printer are almost limitless. If you’re not yet ready to make the plunge and spend $400-$2,000+ on a good 3D printer, you could just get some entertainment value out of reading a 3D printing blog to learn about the latest and coolest advancements and gadgets in the industry. For example, did you know that a company in China is already 3D printing entire homes and subdivisions?
2. DIY Robotics
While you might not envision yourself building an Iron Man suit or an iRobot replica, there are plenty of small DIY robotics kits that are perfect for novices. You don’t need a degree or advanced knowledge in robotics to follow directions, assemble a product, and make sure it works, which is really all there is to it. You can even build tiny robots using 3d printing and LEGO, as LEGO robotics has become an interesting field in and of itself. Once you’ve put together a few pre-made configurations, you can start getting creative to make your own mini robots.
3. PC & Device Building
Building a computer sounds difficult on the surface but in reality, it’s just a matter of putting parts together and the potential use of a 3d printing machine. You might be thinking that gaming PCs are expensive, but if you’re willing to do a bit of research, you can wind up with a much stronger computer and still save a lot of money by putting together the components yourself using a 3d printing machine, instead of buying a pre-made PC.
4. Retro Gaming
If you’ve already grown tired of playing all the newest games on your state-of-the-art console, why not get into the older generation of games that you’ve probably never played. While the graphics leave much to be desired, it’s a great learning experience to explore the early beginnings of how gaming started, and you might just find that some of those archaic arcade games are actually quite addictive.
Alternative Tip: Learn a Technical Skill That Serves as a Foundation for A Career
If you’re tired of letting your technical inquisitiveness go to waste on hobbies that aren’t generating any sort of financial return for your time spent, why not devote that extra curiosity towards taking an educational course about 3d printing that will provide you with certification or a degree instead? That way, you can carry over your skills and passion as a techie into a profession that rewards you with a desirable salary.
