3 ms·

Feels like 3D Printers are making progress like mad lately. I think it's time to get my hands on one. I will just make myself an xmas present and get a little

Feels like 3D Printers are making progress like mad lately. I think it's time to get my hands on one. I will just make myself an xmas present and get a little machine to get going. Currently undecided between getting a small Printrbot for about $400 or a larger Maker Farm for about $600: http://www.productchart.com/3d_printers/7001_vs_5881 http://www.productchart.com/3d_printers/7001_vs_5881 Any suggestions for a complete beginner are welcome.

sokoloff 11y ago
I bought the Monoprice printer: https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id=1072403&p_id=11614&seq=1&format=2 https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id... after a modest amount of research and as a complete beginner, I've been very happy with the purchase. Prints PLA, ABS, HIPS (and probably nylon though I haven't cracked open the spool of nylon I bought yet). Do yourself a favor and print one of these: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23257 http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23257 and buy one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-indicator-623.html http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-i... That will help you level the bed as a beginner. (It gets a little easier with practice, but having numeric references helps.) While at HF, buy http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-with-twist-caps.html http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-... as well. That will come in handy when getting ABS prints to stick (one will hold the acetone slurry, one will hold pure acetone and you have one left over)
Frenchgeek 11y ago
Well, I own a printrbot simple maker's edition ( the plywood one, in short ) and one small lesson I've learned with it is this : Go for a printer with a heated print bed : It will save you many headaches. Without heated bed : Check if the masking tape still is good enough for a print, if not, remove it and add a few new layers, prep the tape with some glue ( Only way I get something to stick ) and let it dry a little. Then you can attempt a print. With a heated bed : clean up the glass plate, add some polyvinyl hairspray and you're good to go!
- mcbutterbunz 11y ago
  I'll second this about the heated bed. I have the Printrbot Play and I like it but I wish it had a heated bed. I have overcome most adhesion issues by printing larger brims on small prints. Then I have to cut off the brim. This wastes filament and adds another step to the process.

sokoloff 11y ago

I bought the Monoprice printer: https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id=1072403&p_id=11614&seq=1&format=2 https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id... after a modest amount of research and as a complete beginner, I've been very happy with the purchase. Prints PLA, ABS, HIPS (and probably nylon though I haven't cracked open the spool of nylon I bought yet). Do yourself a favor and print one of these: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23257 http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:23257 and buy one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-indicator-623.html http://www.harborfreight.com/1-inch-travel-machinists-dial-i... That will help you level the bed as a beginner. (It gets a little easier with practice, but having numeric references helps.) While at HF, buy http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-with-twist-caps.html http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of-3-8-oz-storage-bottles-... as well. That will come in handy when getting ABS prints to stick (one will hold the acetone slurry, one will hold pure acetone and you have one left over)

Frenchgeek 11y ago

Well, I own a printrbot simple maker's edition ( the plywood one, in short ) and one small lesson I've learned with it is this : Go for a printer with a heated print bed : It will save you many headaches. Without heated bed : Check if the masking tape still is good enough for a print, if not, remove it and add a few new layers, prep the tape with some glue ( Only way I get something to stick ) and let it dry a little. Then you can attempt a print. With a heated bed : clean up the glass plate, add some polyvinyl hairspray and you're good to go!

mcbutterbunz 11y ago
I'll second this about the heated bed. I have the Printrbot Play and I like it but I wish it had a heated bed. I have overcome most adhesion issues by printing larger brims on small prints. Then I have to cut off the brim. This wastes filament and adds another step to the process.