4 ms·

This is really neat, but the real breakthrough in 3D printing, to me, is: My co-worker recently got a pretty good 3D printer for under $200.

chrisco255 7y ago
Which model? I'm in the market myself and interested to know what's good to buy under $500.
- cassianoleal 7y ago
  Not OP, but own 2 printers. The Creality Ender models are a solid bet. If you can spare a little more cash, the Prusa MK3s is probably best bang for buck, but the Prusa Mini is great as well if you need smaller build volume. I own a Prusa and despite not having done any maintenance in ages and it vibrating and making noises like crazy (due to said lack of maintenance), I still get near 100% success printing on it. They also offer fantastic customer support.
  - mkl 7y ago
    What kind of maintenance is needed?
    - cassianoleal 7y ago
      In a nutshell: a lot. You need to ensure all screws are tight from time to time. Belts need to have enough but not too much tension. Bearings need cleaning and re-lubing. Leadscrews ditto. Nozzle needs unclogging and replacing every now and then. Fans must be kept as dust-free as possible. Print bed needs wiping frequently with 99%+ isopropanol, eventually a wipe with acetone (if PEI; glass only needs alcohol but you need to ensure it's squeaky clean). Plastic parts can break or sag and need reprinting and replacing. I'm sure I've missed something but you get the idea.
- nickthegreek 7y ago
  Get yourself an Ender 3. https://www.amazon.com/Official-Creality-3D-Printer-Source/dp/B07D218NX3 https://www.amazon.com/Official-Creality-3D-Printer-Source/d... If you want resin, check out the Elegoo Mars. https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Photocuring-Printer-Off-line-Printing/dp/B07K3SH9Y7 https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Photocuring-Printer-Off-line-P...
  - mcstafford 7y ago
    $240?! The manufacturer sells it for $175. https://www.creality3d.shop/products/creality-ender-3-3d-printer-economic-ender-diy-kits-with-resume-printing-function-v-slot-prusa-i3-220x220x250mm https://www.creality3d.shop/products/creality-ender-3-3d-pri...
    - nickthegreek 7y ago
      Some people prefer the fast shipping and no hassle return policy of amazon while not having to give your credit card number to another company. 3D Printer makers have been known to be hard to work with when it comes to DOA/broken hardware. But that is a good savings!
    - jhomedall 7y ago
      It seems that isn't the official website: https://old.reddit.com/r/ender3/comments/a219ol/do_not_buy_from_wwwcreality3dshop_it_is_not_the/ https://old.reddit.com/r/ender3/comments/a219ol/do_not_buy_f...
  - xvector 7y ago
    If you're willing to spend more for a higher quality product, get the Prusa Mini ($400)[1] or the Prusa MK3S ($750)[2]. Prusa products are well regarded and tend to work right out of the box with minimal configuration. I've had a great support experience with them too. [1]: https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-mini/ https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-mini/ [2]: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/51-original-prusa-i3-mk3s https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/51-original-prusa-i3-mk3s
    - 7y ago
- linsomniac 7y ago
  As others have mentioned, my coworker got the Cretality Ender 3, for $174. They have a "Pro" model with some upgrades for $214. He's been really happy with it, and I'm planning on getting one for my son for his birthday. The Prusa for around $700 has some pretty compelling features like bed auto-leveling, but that's a pretty big step up.
- TaylorAlexander 7y ago
  The reddit 3D printing community always keeps a monthly "what printers to buy" post stickied at the top of their subreddit. This is the latest recommendations post: https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/ex1mc2/purchase_advice_megathread_what_to_buy_who_to_buy/ https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/ex1mc2/purchase... As others have said, Ender 3 is highly recommended. If you are willing to spend more, the Prusa Mk3s is one of the best 3d printers ever made.
1MachineElf 7y ago
Completed my very first Ender 3 Pro print today. Apart from the quality, I especially like the surplus of resources available for beginners learning with this printer. CHEP especially.
- person_of_color 7y ago
  I just ordered an Ender 3 Pro. Could you link me the best resources you used?
  - 1MachineElf 7y ago
    New Ender 3 User series by Chris Riley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21PBrWIgyAs&list=PLB_0YGFjbOnbxPptT2uhNr3wbNPoYflXK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21PBrWIgyAs&list=PLB_0YGFjbO... Also the great bed leveling video by CHEP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EfWVUJjBdA&list=PLRFPlUhDTTlkLIpsROX0T_Osx-_V3LNBn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EfWVUJjBdA&list=PLRFPlUhDTT...

chrisco255 7y ago

Which model? I'm in the market myself and interested to know what's good to buy under $500.

cassianoleal 7y ago
Not OP, but own 2 printers. The Creality Ender models are a solid bet. If you can spare a little more cash, the Prusa MK3s is probably best bang for buck, but the Prusa Mini is great as well if you need smaller build volume. I own a Prusa and despite not having done any maintenance in ages and it vibrating and making noises like crazy (due to said lack of maintenance), I still get near 100% success printing on it. They also offer fantastic customer support.
- mkl 7y ago
  What kind of maintenance is needed?
  - cassianoleal 7y ago
    In a nutshell: a lot. You need to ensure all screws are tight from time to time. Belts need to have enough but not too much tension. Bearings need cleaning and re-lubing. Leadscrews ditto. Nozzle needs unclogging and replacing every now and then. Fans must be kept as dust-free as possible. Print bed needs wiping frequently with 99%+ isopropanol, eventually a wipe with acetone (if PEI; glass only needs alcohol but you need to ensure it's squeaky clean). Plastic parts can break or sag and need reprinting and replacing. I'm sure I've missed something but you get the idea.
nickthegreek 7y ago
Get yourself an Ender 3. https://www.amazon.com/Official-Creality-3D-Printer-Source/dp/B07D218NX3 https://www.amazon.com/Official-Creality-3D-Printer-Source/d... If you want resin, check out the Elegoo Mars. https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Photocuring-Printer-Off-line-Printing/dp/B07K3SH9Y7 https://www.amazon.com/ELEGOO-Photocuring-Printer-Off-line-P...
- mcstafford 7y ago
  $240?! The manufacturer sells it for $175. https://www.creality3d.shop/products/creality-ender-3-3d-printer-economic-ender-diy-kits-with-resume-printing-function-v-slot-prusa-i3-220x220x250mm https://www.creality3d.shop/products/creality-ender-3-3d-pri...
  - nickthegreek 7y ago
    Some people prefer the fast shipping and no hassle return policy of amazon while not having to give your credit card number to another company. 3D Printer makers have been known to be hard to work with when it comes to DOA/broken hardware. But that is a good savings!
  - jhomedall 7y ago
    It seems that isn't the official website: https://old.reddit.com/r/ender3/comments/a219ol/do_not_buy_from_wwwcreality3dshop_it_is_not_the/ https://old.reddit.com/r/ender3/comments/a219ol/do_not_buy_f...
- xvector 7y ago
  If you're willing to spend more for a higher quality product, get the Prusa Mini ($400)[1] or the Prusa MK3S ($750)[2]. Prusa products are well regarded and tend to work right out of the box with minimal configuration. I've had a great support experience with them too. [1]: https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-mini/ https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-mini/ [2]: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/51-original-prusa-i3-mk3s https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/51-original-prusa-i3-mk3s
  - 7y ago
linsomniac 7y ago
As others have mentioned, my coworker got the Cretality Ender 3, for $174. They have a "Pro" model with some upgrades for $214. He's been really happy with it, and I'm planning on getting one for my son for his birthday. The Prusa for around $700 has some pretty compelling features like bed auto-leveling, but that's a pretty big step up.
TaylorAlexander 7y ago
The reddit 3D printing community always keeps a monthly "what printers to buy" post stickied at the top of their subreddit. This is the latest recommendations post: https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/ex1mc2/purchase_advice_megathread_what_to_buy_who_to_buy/ https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/ex1mc2/purchase... As others have said, Ender 3 is highly recommended. If you are willing to spend more, the Prusa Mk3s is one of the best 3d printers ever made.

1MachineElf 7y ago

Completed my very first Ender 3 Pro print today. Apart from the quality, I especially like the surplus of resources available for beginners learning with this printer. CHEP especially.

person_of_color 7y ago
I just ordered an Ender 3 Pro. Could you link me the best resources you used?
- 1MachineElf 7y ago
  New Ender 3 User series by Chris Riley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21PBrWIgyAs&list=PLB_0YGFjbOnbxPptT2uhNr3wbNPoYflXK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21PBrWIgyAs&list=PLB_0YGFjbO... Also the great bed leveling video by CHEP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EfWVUJjBdA&list=PLRFPlUhDTTlkLIpsROX0T_Osx-_V3LNBn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EfWVUJjBdA&list=PLRFPlUhDTT...