I got a text today saying Bella needed a part for one of her toys printed.
This got me pretty excited. My 3 year old is developing problem solving skills. It’s not that Dad will fix it, but what tools he will use too.
![Hiding behind a cheap piece of plastic](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_103215.jpg?resize=550%2C733)
So we decided to make a new part for her toy. I suspect that the missing piece is somewhere in her toybox, but I just HAD to reinforce to that adorable little girl that she can make stuff herself.
We sat down in front of the computer with the part she had and a ruler and a tape-measure and a calipers and drew the part in Sketchup.
![She was a little bit anxious to get done and print it.](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_184206.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
It took a little while, but we got it all measured and drawn. The new part is ambidextrous.
![Close enough?](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_184134.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
Once we where happy with the model, we customized it. We added her name and some shapes. I did this as I am low on plastic and was afraid that it wouldn’t print due to running out. Knocking out areas uses less plastic. Also, it let her customize the part.
![Printing part on RepRap She was sure excited!](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_195606.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
I sliced and loaded the file, pre-heated the printer, and let her push ‘Print’.
![Excited for the part to print](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_201131.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
The printer is so much fun for both of us to watch.
![Checking to make sure the parts match](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_201145.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
She was quite excited when the printer started to print her name. She can’t read yet, but she does recognize letters.
![I tried hard to burn my fingers with a lighter doing this.](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_220418.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
This was my first filament hot-swap. It took me about 4 tries before I was happy with the transition. Only about 6 inches left on the green by that time. I think the effect turned out well.
![The toy is a magnetic letters box. The part is one of the angle brackets I think I am going to need to print more letters in the near future.](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_221455.jpg?resize=550%2C733)
Who makes toys with soo many pieces to loose? Oh well. I am going to need to buy a box of small magnets so I can print more letters in the near future.
![The printed bracket almost in place It FITS!!!!](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_221328.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
![You can see how the green & red printed part can work for either side. REPRAPs for the WIN](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_221335.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
![A pretty cool little toy. Missing lots of letters already though. I wanted to do more text, but my letter count is low.](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_221250.jpg?resize=550%2C412)
![This is totally staged, she was sound asleep before the print was finished. I staged this. She was fast asleep by the time it was done printing.](https://i0.wp.com/mike.creuzer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130718_221537.jpg?resize=550%2C733)
I think this was a good father-daughter building and bonding experience.
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