3D Printers - Manufacturers and Models - Recommendations & Suggestions

[Nifty]

There are SO MANY 3D printer manufacturers and models!

Let's keep a thread going with ones that our members are most interested in.

This is the one I've had my eye on:

Monoprice Select Mini 3D Printer


... but I'm also thinking about it's bigger brother too.

What about you guys?

 

[Nifty]

Oh, and I also purchased this for my daughters. They loved it at first, but I think quickly got bored of it:

MorphPen

 

[The Hat]

As this printing idea is only new to most members, I can tell you it’s not difficult to get into, your initial cost is the printer itself, and a roll of filament, after that there are no more outlays, just turn on your new adventure and learn how to use it, it’s so enjoyable. (No experience necessary)... on the job training..

The App. you’ll use to create your own ideas and projects is entirely up to you, there are several, but I settle on SCAD, after @ninj suggested it to me as an easy one to get started, I went with his excellent advice.

The SCAD App. is open and free to use, and there are dozens of video tutorials to guide you along if you get into difficulty, there are lots and lots of already make up things you can download too, but making your own creations are far more satisfying.

There are several types of filament you can get, PLA, ABS and PETG filament, they come in many colours (24), so you can pick your favourite colour to match your surroundings.

I started with the PLA filament and then switched over to using the ABS, I still can’t say which one I prefer but the PLA is much easier to handle when starting off.

There is just one thing to watch out for if you get a 3D printer, they are not time consuming in themselves, but you certainly can get hooked on them, and they become simply compulsive, I love making up new gadgets.

Your printer comes with all the necessary files on a Micro card that you’ll need to run your machine, you get the CURA App. and Repetier Host App., both can be used to print from, these Apps. tell you precisely the printing time and filament usage.

If you jump in and buy a 3D printer or get help to build one then you won’t regret it, if nothing else they are educational, and I am a very happy willing and elderly student...

 

[Pinjo]

Just a few words about my new hobby.
I got my first 3d printer a few days ago - a Wanhao i3 Plus,
and I am glad that I decided to do it.

I have printed different test objects and some stuff for my printer (z-braces and mini filament spools). In those few days I have learned a lot and I am looking forward to learn to design my own stuff.

I have only had a few minor problems and I found the answers in the manual, so my advice is to read the manual (including the Cura section).

 

[The Hat]

Ah ha, we have another sucker whose life has just been taken over by his printer, welcome to you @Pinjo, your just what I need to give me all my missing answers.
Mine has not stopped for a single day yet...

I still haven’t read the manual yet, so your way head of me there, but you sure started with a beautiful printer, I am hoping to upgrade soon to a bigger one too.
https://technologyoutlet.glopal.com/en-US/p-5882101445/wanhao-duplicator-i3-plus-3d-printer.html

 

[FryingSaucer]

If you jump in and buy a 3D printer or get help to build one then you won’t regret it, if nothing else they are educational, and I am a very happy willing and elderly student...

Did you consider building one yourself? Do you know if machine tools are needed to do this?

 

[The Hat]

Now that I got one, and understand the technology better, I would love to build my own one, because I am strongly thinking of an upgrade to a bigger one already, I know of some websites that carry a lot of the spare parts, and no machine tools are needed other than DIY tools.

I use SCAD to make my models, I am rotten at it, but know enough to just get by with it, I only like to make things that are useful and as I do I slowly improve my ability to work with the App.

 

[FryingSaucer]

I only like to make things that are useful and as I do I slowly improve my ability to work with the App.

One thing useful to me would be boxes used for electronics gadgets I make. Something like this:

with some means of screwing the lid into the body. This one is 150x90x50mm, maybe too big for your printer. A box this size costs about £7.50 to buy http://uk.farnell.com/hammond/1591dgy/box-abs-grey-150x80x50mm/dp/4437070. Any idea how much it would cost in material to print a box like this, assuming I had got the design right?

 

[The Hat]

how much it would cost in material to print a box like this, assuming I had got the design right?

I reckon Feck all, but it’s too big to print on my printer, the filament comes in a roll of 1 Kg and is miles long costing €22, but if you put your design into CURA it will tell you exactly how much filament it will take to make up the electrical box and lid...

 

[ninj]

Did you consider building one yourself? Do you know if machine tools are needed to do this?

My printer is held together with standard hex bolts, so the only tools needed are a few metric hex keys.

I can recommend getting a cheap kit from China and then upgrading parts of it as and when you're ready, but be prepared to solve problems.