3D Printers

paris_tj

Registered
Registered
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
6
I am looking at getting/building one but wow they are a bunch. Which is the best to get now days for a person on a budget? Any suggestions or links appreciated. I have a CNC mill so if I need to machine parts that is no big deal.
 
Thanks, mostly looking for open source or something cheaper than those.
 
Take a look at RepRap. It is an open source 3d printer.
 
I rolled the dice and bought a Flashforge creator clone off of ebay by a company called Qidi Tech. I think it was about $600 over a year and a half ago. It's been great, prints well, is precise and has been trouble free. Has a full metal/plexi windows & lighted enclosure. Just make sure you get something with a heated bed and a dual extruders. Other than that the larger the print area the better of course. Prices continue to drop. They are a blast to play with and nice to have when you need a little dohickey... you can just make one!
 
SeeMeCNC has a reasonably priced kit.
And MatterControl is a powerful free slicer software.
 
I am looking at getting/building one but wow they are a bunch. Which is the best to get now days for a person on a budget? Any suggestions or links appreciated. I have a CNC mill so if I need to machine parts that is no big deal.
I recently ordered this kit (~$185) from GearBest, http://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_428455.html .
I have been using a Solidoodle 3 3D printer (~800 assembled) for about 4 years or so and am currently making my own approximatedly 30' by 30" by 30" printer using mostly vslot components, purchased or 3D printed from "OpenBuilds" website. I chose the $185 kit based on specs, i.e large print volume etc. Here is a tip that I chose to ignore with my 3D printer. I never worried about the filament (1.75mm) absorbing moisture. It certainly does slowly over time and you end up thinking the bed isn't level. I googled the problem and settled on
I am looking at getting/building one but wow they are a bunch. Which is the best to get now days for a person on a budget? Any suggestions or links appreciated. I have a CNC mill so if I need to machine parts that is no big deal.

I ordered http://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_428455.html a week ago based on using my Solidoodle 3 (~$800) printer for about 4 years and the kit's large build volume and low price. Don't ignore caveats to keep your filament dry as I did. It's hydoscophic and will absorb water over time resulting in progressively worse prints. I build this to dry out my filament:
http://taulman3d.com/drying-materials.html
Also, I bought a ~10lb bag of dessicant (kitty litter:
) to store my filament when not in use. Hope this helps.
 
If you just want to get your "feet wet" with 3D printing, monoprice.com has a small unit for around $200 (MP Select Mini). It has a lot of nice features including a heated bed and small display. The main disadvantage is that the build volume is a 4.7" cube .. however, you can make a lot of useful things in that size, and if you decide 3D printing is for you, you'll be able to make a better decision about what kind of bigger unit to build/buy.
 
Back
Top