Recently one of the magnet holders for my window shutters broke, and I thought I'd take a crack at designing a replacement to 3D Print. I'd never designed anything in CAD software before, so I had no real reference.

I found FreeCAD extremely easy to use and intuitive. I watched a couple videos and followed-along with the tutorials, then started on my own item. It's a relatively simple 3-part component. I took measurements with digital calipers, and in a few hours was printing the first prototype.

A couple prototypes later (small measurement adjustments to account for plastic shrinkage, etc), I had the final model. Replaced all of the magnet holders since they were sure to go soon, too.

I had fun, and finally used my 3D printer for something "real". Pretty cool.

I had a hard time but I didn’t start with the tutorial first.

But once I saw their “philosophy” as it were, everything became so much easier.

Learning to design parts was a huge "unlock" for me.

Wasn't just printing other people's designs.

Great feeling to measure and design something then have it fit perfectly.

That is the spirit! A friend recommended me to buy a Bambu P2S: there are parts I want to print and I don't want to model then send them to have them printed, nor to bother my friend all the time. Funnily enough I've got magnets falling too: for an alarm system on the doors/windows and they don't hold well anymore after the years. Then my car's radar detection device (fully legal) doesn't fit nicely in the phone holder I use to that effect: I want it a specific angle (I want it both inclined and facing towards me a bit). So I'll model those and just print them. There are a few things like that where I keep thinking: "If I had a 3D printer, I'd just print a part".

Most importantly: I've got a 11 y/o and I think it's cool for the kid to see how it works.

Already watch a few vids. Doesn't look too hard for simple things.