As a follow up to 3d Printing Basic Tools of the Trade:
- Netfab STL Repairer - this amazing free little web utility repairs your STLs making sure all the surfaces are connected and the model is solid. I run all my models through it pre-print.
- Painters tape - cover build plate with this to help model sticking and protect plate. The wider the better
- Pallet knife - used to pry the model off the build platform. Works amazingly well. I bought mine at local art store, but here's a set of similar ones for cheap on amazon
- Rubbing alcohol - use when printing models that have small foot prints to improve sticking. Using: you rub the build plate (even if it's covered in painters tape) down with this pre-print. It makes the model stick MUCH better, so it should only be used if you have a model with a small surface area touching the build plate.