3D printer recommendations please...

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4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1902477 15-Nov-2017 22:11

Talkiet:

Well, that's lucky :-) That's exactly what I just ordered 30 minutes ago :-)

Got a roll of PLA included and ordered a kg or ABS as well. It is the Ultrabase model.

Obviously I'll report more when I get it but I found very little negative about it. A couple of people complained the plates weren't as flat as they should be, but they also said replacements were shipped quickly.

Cheers - N

How far away is yours?

Mine will be here Friday... or Monday. :(

(And 4 extra rolls of PLA)

Talkiet

4792 posts

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#1902480 15-Nov-2017 22:24

blakamin:

Talkiet:

Well, that's lucky :-) That's exactly what I just ordered 30 minutes ago :-)

Got a roll of PLA included and ordered a kg or ABS as well. It is the Ultrabase model.

Obviously I'll report more when I get it but I found very little negative about it. A couple of people complained the plates weren't as flat as they should be, but they also said replacements were shipped quickly.

Cheers - N

How far away is yours?

Mine will be here Friday... or Monday. :(

(And 4 extra rolls of PLA)

Mine's much further away than that... It only shipped yesterday (and not by the DHL economy I paid for - Grrrrrr)

On the plus side, I'll let you figure out the right settings to use with the included PLA and tell me :-) (You got exactly the same printer as I did?)

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1902483 15-Nov-2017 22:27

I just got a cheap i3 clone, but a pretty popular one.

I've seen soooo many videos on PLA temps now, it's not funny!

sekhment

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1903187 17-Nov-2017 12:06

Why not get an i3 from the guy that invented the i3?

https://www.prusa3d.com

Seriously good printer.

Excellent heated bed.

Auto leveling.

Constantly getting upgrades and software/firmware upgrades.

The range of materials it can print is pretty extensive.

You also have the option of buying a kit and making it multi material.

I brought his original printer and then the upgrade kit and then another upgrade kit and have since ordered his new model and an upgrade kit.

There are some pretty good enclosures on thingeeverse using Ikea lack tables etc, from what I have been reading lately though that there are newer materials that are more superior to ABS that aren't so vulnerable to shrinking and cracking. I got around this problem without a enclosure by printing a large brim the same height as the part that retained the heat and that worked ok.

I have also had better luck with prints from buying from e3d direct instead from nz stores. The filament seems to be better.

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1903191 17-Nov-2017 12:20

sekhment:

Why not get an i3 from the guy that invented the i3?

For me, price.

And the ability to tinker

frankv

5680 posts

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#1903195 17-Nov-2017 12:42

sekhment:

Why not get an i3 from the guy that invented the i3?

Probably because of the price (US$750+US$134 shipping + GST + NZ$50 entry fee = $NZ1500 for the latest genuine MK3 kit vs US$168 + US$23.16 shipping = NZ$275 for the basic model). The i3 clones have the same capabilities as far as materials, etc. The same firmware and software is used, so upgrades are just as available.

Admittedly, Prusa provides support, probably uses better parts, and probably has better quality control. But it's a lot of money to pay for reliability.

Probably moneywise a better strategy would be to trawl TradeMe for secondhand 3D printers. People buy them, have trouble with getting them working reliably (especially the cheap kits), and sell them in disappointment. There's bargains to be had if you're savvy and have the time to learn and fix. If you do get disillusioned, you can sell it and not lose too much money.

sekhment

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1903323 17-Nov-2017 15:36

You can still tinker with the prusa's.

Sure cost is a thing, and you get what you pay for. I have watched a lot youtube videos of people trying to 'upgrade' clones and spending a lot of money to do it.

In my opinion the extra money is worth not having to deal with "trouble with getting them working reliably (especially the cheap kits), and sell them in disappointment."

But good luck with what ever you go with.

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frankv

5680 posts

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#1903337 17-Nov-2017 16:23

sekhment:

You can still tinker with the prusa's.

Sure cost is a thing, and you get what you pay for. I have watched a lot youtube videos of people trying to 'upgrade' clones and spending a lot of money to do it.

In my opinion the extra money is worth not having to deal with "trouble with getting them working reliably (especially the cheap kits), and sell them in disappointment."

Like cars, I'm happier tinkering with a cheap printer than an expensive one. Like cars, tinkering with 3D printers takes a lot more time & money than you think. (Please don't share this information with my wife). Some people like driving cars, some like "improving" them. Same goes for printers. So, I agree with @sekhment. My advice is that if you want to "just print stuff" then you're better off with a $1500 Prusa than a $400 "cheap kit". It'll cost you another $1100 in work (at $1/hr), parts (AliExpress is your friend), and de-stressing tinctures to get it as good as the Prusa is on day 1. Kinda like owning a '57 Chev (I assume).

OTOH, if you choose the Prusa be prepared to shell out lots of shekels if/when it does break or you decide you *do* want to improve it, because you'll either learn on a very steep curve, or pay someone else to fix it, or sell it on TradeMe to get a newer shinier version. Whichever way you go, it won't be cheap. Kinda like owning a Mercedes (I assume).

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1903473 17-Nov-2017 21:34

sekhment:

You can still tinker with the prusa's.

Sure cost is a thing, and you get what you pay for. I have watched a lot youtube videos of people trying to 'upgrade' clones and spending a lot of money to do it.

In my opinion the extra money is worth not having to deal with "trouble with getting them working reliably (especially the cheap kits), and sell them in disappointment."

I own old BMWs... I LOVE fixing things and getting them to be reliable...Just ask my bank account!

frankv:

Like cars, I'm happier tinkering with a cheap printer than an expensive one. Like cars, tinkering with 3D printers takes a lot more time & money than you think. (Please don't share this information with my wife). Some people like driving cars, some like "improving" them. Same goes for printers. So, I agree with @sekhment. My advice is that if you want to "just print stuff" then you're better off with a $1500 Prusa than a $400 "cheap kit". It'll cost you another $1100 in work (at $1/hr), parts (AliExpress is your friend), and de-stressing tinctures to get it as good as the Prusa is on day 1. Kinda like owning a '57 Chev (I assume).

OTOH, if you choose the Prusa be prepared to shell out lots of shekels if/when it does break or you decide you *do* want to improve it, because you'll either learn on a very steep curve, or pay someone else to fix it, or sell it on TradeMe to get a newer shinier version. Whichever way you go, it won't be cheap. Kinda like owning a Mercedes (I assume).

I won't tell yours if you don't tell mine... Between the MOSFET, the steel frame I'm about to get laser cut, the 4 rolls of filament that arrived today.... Um....

Loving every second, except @Talkiet will have his before I get the damn paper off my acrylic bits!

NZSpides

155 posts

Master Geek

#1903523 18-Nov-2017 02:07

I have built a Hypercube 3D printer, didn't take too long to source most of the components, and the great thing there is a huge online community supporting the printer.

There is no fixed dimensions you have to stick to.

I used the standard dimensions to produce mine, but I belong to a group that I have seen people building everything from 150mm cubed to 600mm cubed versions.

Here's the link to the printer, Tech2C is the guy that came up with the design.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2jM6v3E7sU&list=PLIaArjwViQRVAERWRrYfe9rtiwvvRGCzw

I also follow a few veterans on the web that have very good knowledge on the printers on the market, and give tip and tricks on 3D Printing.

Thomas Sanladerer https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8Rde3uRL1ohROUVg46h1A

Makers Muse https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQbYGpbdrh-b2ND-AfIybg

I have made quite a few items on my printer, designed a number of items as well, some end up being better than others, but as many have stated, 3D printing is still in it's infancy.

The software you use to design your print is just as important as the software you use to print it with.

I have tried a number of each, but the 2 pieces of software I reccomend are:

For creating it would be Fusion360 https://www.simplify3d.com/

And for printing it would be Simplify3D https://www.simplify3d.com/

Yes, Simplify 3d is expensive, but it's worth it.

frankv

5680 posts

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#1903606 18-Nov-2017 10:47

NZSpides:

The software you use to design your print is just as important as the software you use to print it with.

I have tried a number of each, but the 2 pieces of software I reccomend are:

For creating it would be Fusion360 https://www.simplify3d.com/

And for printing it would be Simplify3D https://www.simplify3d.com/

Yes, Simplify 3d is expensive, but it's worth it.

The consensus does seem to agree with you; I myself haven't tried S3D... currently using Slic3r mostly and Cura a little; both are free and good enough for my needs. I'm still awaiting a new generation of slicers that read something other than STL, and produce something lower level than Gcode. I think that in particular the mesh-of-straight-lines basis of STL is a now a limiting factor in print quality.

For mechanical stuff, I use Onshape.com. For mesh-based stuff, I prefer MeshMixer. OpenSCAD is good for both, but in a more text-based, non-GUI way (they say it appeals more to programmers). All of these are constantly evolving and adding new features. From my POV, it's better/easier/enough trouble to know a couple of tools in depth than to be skilled in a wide selection. Other tools in my belt (mainly for generating something that one of my main tools can read) are Inkscape, FreeCAD, NetFABB, MeshLab. And Perl is good for making OpenSCAD source files.

Now and then, I try to use Blender. But each time I bail; it's just too different for me to learn easily. If you haven't had any experience with 3D modelling of meshes, then it might be a good idea to start there.

blakamin

4431 posts

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Inactive user

#1903765 18-Nov-2017 16:22

Currently using MatterControl.

Found my printer (I have an old laptop plugged into it) instantly, printed a test cube and now I'm printing a filament guide.

Bed leveling was my first issue, but on my second print, it's running like a dream. I'm happy with my $230 purchase.

EDIT: 3DBenchy was spot on, but the bed was a bit hot, so now 58.

I'm using Blue tape and a glue stick, with a quick wipe of a wet kitchen paper towel just before the print starts (when bed and extruder reach temp).

My cheap white PLA at 200 seems fine.

Photos too big to upload here, but I'll stick them on Imgur soon

Talkiet

4792 posts

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#1906077 22-Nov-2017 22:40

Mine should arrive tomorrow or Friday so I SHOULD be able to play over the weekend. Bit of a surprise after the tracking number showed it was stalled at 4PX until earlier today, then suddenly updated to having cleared customs in Akl and being on the way to Chch this evening.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Talkiet

4792 posts

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#1906727 23-Nov-2017 19:56

First print printing now... :-)

Bit of mucking around getting the base level - I ended up having to adjust more than just the bed to make it work, but the first print has started ok...

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

irongarment

280 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1906808 23-Nov-2017 22:20

Hello,

I just bought a Malyan M200 (aja Monoprice MP Select Mini) from Hobbyking. It cost about NZ$350, delivered. It has a heated bed, and prints in PLA or ABS. It worked out of the box, and I am now printing via Octopi, so it's a simple matter of dragging and dropping my model on to the Octopi web page. The build volume is about 12x12x12 cm. In all, I'm very happy with it.

It's basically the first 3D printer for under US$200 that does not suck.

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