Pittsburgh 3D Prints finds home in Harrison City storefront

Matt Lockmer had no plans to become a 3D printing expert.

But when he received a 3D printer from his partner, Amanda, for Christmas in 2020, his curiosity took off. He rebranded his former computer repair and consulting business to fit his 3D printing interests.

Since winter 2021, Lockmer has run a 3D printing shop out of his home. Now, the business is taking root in a storefront at 3337 Route 130 in Harrison City.

Pittsburgh 3D Prints offers custom prints, printer repairs and lessons on the technology — which he hopes to expand into group workshops.

When Lockmer first started using his 3D printer, he attracted interest by selling prints on Etsy. He invested in additional printers and is now proficient enough with the technology to print “pretty much anything anyone would want.”

Lockmer said he often repairs 3D printers for school districts — including Tyrone and Sto-Rox — because the machines get a lot of use, and teachers do not have time to fix them. The most common repairs surround bed replacements, belt and axis adjustments and recalibration to ensure print quality.

Common 3D prints include kitchen products, housewares and niche items such as battery holders. The store also sells 3D printer filament, or “ink.”

Lockmer did not expect the business to take off.

“I thought ‘This isn’t going to work. Who needs this?’ ” Lockmer said. “But within a year, I had over 1,000 clients.”

He estimates that he helps about 1,500 to 2,000 clients a year. He wants the store to become a “place for learning and fixing things that are broken.”

“I’m trying to make it into a 3D printing hub for the community,” Lockmer said.

He is open to any type of 3D printing request or question.

“I’m just kind of in it for the thrill of 3D printing,” he said.