Published: June 23, 2026
In today's TigerDen Daily, we explore why ASA is replacing ABS in 3D printing and how the electrician trade is set to outpace the general job market by 300%. Plus, discover high-margin craft ideas for 2026 and master the art of hardware-free wooden drawer slides.
Welcome to the TigerDen Daily! šÆ
Happy Tuesday, June 23rd! Whether you are clocking into the job site, scaling your Etsy shop, or finally tackling that stack of lumber in the garage, we've got something for you today. From the evolution of 3D printing materials to the booming demand for sparkies, letās dive into today's round-up!
š§ Cool New Tools: The Future of Fabrication
The world of making is shifting, and the tools of the trade are getting smarter, safer, and much more specialized.
- Farewell to ABS, Hello ASA: For years, ABS was the king of durable 3D prints, but its toxic fumes and warping issues are seeing it phased out. ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is the new gold standardāit offers the same strength as ABS but with superior UV resistance and easier printability. It's time to swap those spools!
- The $29.5K Production Workhorse: Tired of finicky consumer printers, service owners have designed a specialized dual-material FDM printer. Forget "multi-color" rainbow prints; this machine is a laser-focused production beast meant for single-material parts with dedicated dissolvable support material. It's built for reliability at scale.
- Procolored's X One: This is a "Swiss Army Knife" for the Maker Mogul. It combines UV printing, laser cutting, and sticker making into one unit. Whatās impressive is the refillable 250ml ink tanks with integrated circulationāmeaning your white ink won't clog, even if it sits for a few days.
šļø Trade Career Spotlight: High Voltage, High Demand
If youāve been looking for a sign to jump into the tradesāspecifically electrical workāthe June data is in, and itās glowing.
- 9.5% Growth for Electricians: A recent JLL report using BLS data confirms that electrician employment is set to expand by nearly 10% over the next decade. That is triple the average growth rate of other occupations! As our world electrifies, the need for skilled hands to wire it is unprecedented.
š° Maker Mogul Corner: Small Goods, Big Gains
In 2026, the secret to a successful craft business isn't always the $500 centerpiece; itās the $10 impulse buy with a massive margin.
- The Power of Personalization: Reports show that custom dog-shaped magnets are a goldmine right now. If your material cost is under $1 and you sell for $10, thatās a 900% markup!
- Hobby to Side-Hustle: Top craft ideas for the remainder of 2026 include custom tumblers and boutique candles. The key to making money from home is "batchability"āfinding items you can produce in batches of 20 while the printer or laser is running in the background.
š ļø DIY Mastery: Weekend Projects to Level Up
Looking for a project to sink your teeth into this weekend? Weāve got three levels of inspiration for you:
- Level Up Your Storage: Forget expensive metal runners. Learn to build DIY Wood Drawer Slides without hardware. Itās a classic woodworking skill that saves money and adds a professional, "all-wood" touch to your cabinetry.
- The "Income-First" Home: Maker Channel is sparking a huge debate this week with the "Storey Building First" philosophy. Instead of building a single-story duplex, they suggest building the ground floor of a multi-story building and renting it out immediately to fund the rest of the construction. Talk about a Mogul move!
- Expo Inspiration: If you need a creative jolt, check out the highlights from the Bharat Buildcon Expo 2026. From new eco-friendly bricks to modular housing, the future of construction is looking very "DIY-friendly."
Ready to level up? š
Explore our three paths here at TigerDen:- The Trades: Get certified and get paid.
- Maker Mogul: Turn your workshop into a business.
- DIY Mastery: Master the skills to build anything.
Which path are you walking today? Let us know in the comments!šļø