Maker transforms IKEA desk into a beautiful 3D printer

As a mechanic and 3D printing enthusiast, Wayne Mason-Drust “turns waste into treasure” and makes two IKEA tables into a large format 3D printer Printtable for custom generation.

A 3D printer made from a table? Although we have never found such special potential on our furniture and have not had dinner on Ultimaker 2, Wayne Mason-Drust made it impossible. The parts of this sleek DIY machine cost just $395, and you can build it yourself in just 25 simple steps.

A few years ago, Drust was an auto mechanic and found that he would encounter the same problem again and again: despite the slight damage inside the lights, the entire lamp had to be replaced. By chance, Drust saw a video of the MakerBot 3D printer on YouTube and realized that 3D printing technology can replace auto parts and save a lot of money for his customers.

So Drust bought a 3D printer, he learned for a while, and finally succeeded in making the customer's auto parts through it. However, Drust has always wanted to make a 3D printer himself; it has a heating chamber and a print bed. But he quickly decided that he should be a 3D printer that everyone can learn to make.

One day, when he saw his 3D printer in the living room on the IKEA table, the inspiration came to light. For five years, this table has withstood the vibration and strength of a 3D printer, but with little wear and tear. In addition, this IKEA table has a cool, elegant surface that looks much better than the lid of a 3D printer. So Drust decided to build a new, large format 3D printer with the table itself.

“The most difficult thing is to keep the printer beautiful and clean. Use as many materials as possible at the same time. Although some materials are 'repulsive', they must be ensured during the assembly process to complement each other,” Drust said.

After Drust, what new creations can we see in this world of furniture and technology? Is a CNC milling machine made from a chair? Or is it a rotary laser cutting machine made from a muffin tray? We are not sure what will happen in the future, but this year we have witnessed this "small smart" DIY invention. "The next step in printtable is to expand the scope and create a larger format printer." Drust said, "We plan to eventually create a boxing kit and even create a Pro version."