498
This whistle fights fascists | How thousands of 3D-printed whistles are derailing ICE.
(www.theverge.com)
this post was submitted on 09 Feb 2026
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Been printing them, just need some good locations to place my boxes
Anywhere in public is great. If you're in a place where ICE is less active, you'll want to package the whistles with instructions to alert the local rapid response hotline.
I've seen whistles with the number for the local rapid response hotline printed right on them. Must have been one of those fancy multi-filament printers.
You can do it with any 3D printer, as long as you orient the letters so they're at the top of the print, you can insert a pause in the print job just before it starts the layers with the letters. Then you do a manual filament swap and resume the print.
Another option is to print a QR code on them with a link to instructions/the organization.
Heat stamping might be quickest alternative. Should be rugged and aid low-vision use.
Full brass letterpress type sets and die can be pricy, but the cheap leather iron kits at craft shops commonly include small metal alphanumeric types that could be set (clamped) and affixed to your stamp (burning/soldering iron or pliers + hot plate/stove).
if it’s not multicolour then you can just make the printer leave indents for the letters (or print extra material to have it raised)
no need for post processing or extra equipment which slows down the process and adds extra work
Do you have to prime 3d printed objects? If not, just print the number and like dip into water paint. Ideally you could print a lip with higher numbers so only the top of the numbers get painted
Black marker works on most plastic
Only issue with black marker on 3d prints specifically is the ink tends to wick around the layer lines. Still works but doesnt look great. Paint markers are usually my goto
Yup this issue you can see in my picture. I was hoping paint markers would have been viscous enough to not bleed but it did anyways. Not that big of a deal for a fire and forget box of whistles.
Good enough is good enough
If it's bevelled text you can swap filament during print to make it stand out / easy to read.
Only problem is that you have to baby sit the print, which could slow down production considerably
Which STL do you prefer?
This is the one I used, it's quickish and prints well at 18 at a time. Figured it would be comfortable to hold.
https://www.printables.com/model/1493196-nice-whistle-1