Anyone own a 3d printer?

[WhiffySpark]

I'm looking to buy one this month. I'm like at a creator pro. Just curious if anyone has one

 

[TS3g]

I've had a MakerGear M2 for about 6 months now. I bought it just to fiddle with it and make some small one off stuff. Some useful things I've made so far are some reducing spacers for my plasma cutter electrical hookups, a new mirror control knob in my pickup (old one broke), spacers for a monitor mount, and some panel covers for a computer case to seal it up better to keep dust out.

Just recently I dropped a Milwaukee M18 battery and busted the top portion of the case. The battery still works fine, but it won't stay connected to the tool. When I get some free time, I'm going to model up a new case top and print one.

I definitely haven't tapped into the full potential of having one though...someday.

 

[WhiffySpark]

The m2 seems to get good reviews as well as the ultimaker. But I don't want to spend that much on my first printer

 

[GSteg]

What's your budget? How big of a part are you planning to print, and with what material (ABS/Nylon/PLA?)

 

[WhiffySpark]

$1,500ish. Probably 8-10 inches at the most. I do want a heated bed, I don't want to be limited to pla

 

[dr_clyde]

A friend of mine makes 3d printers, they're a nifty technology. I don't have much use for one, but if you were into small investment casting or a prototype shop I can see the utility.

 

[Youngguns]

Do 3D printers come with a CAD-like program to create parts?

 

[GSteg]

$1,500ish. Probably 8-10 inches at the most. I do want a heated bed, I don't want to be limited to pla

The Creator Pro is limited to 9" wide x 5.7" tall x 6" deep. Take that into consideration if you're thinking about printing something bigger in the near future.

I, myself, went with SeeMeCNC Rostock Max v2. It's a delta printer and not a platform like the Creator Pro. Couple of reasons why I went with the Rostock instead of the FlashForge:

1. It's a DIY kit. You have to put in 20 hours to build the thing (time will fly), but you get a sense of accomplishment. You learn how the machine functions and if any issue arise, you can diagnose it fairly easily.
2. Large platform. I can print 11" diameter x 14.75" height if needed
3. I have no issues printing ABS with the heated bed.
4. Made in the USA
5. The DIY community is pretty large so there are lots of people to help you for whatever reason.
6. You get a nicer machine for the price ($1000).

However...

1. It's not enclosed like the Creator Pro so if you have a draft of wind, that can affect the nozzle, bed, filament temperature. People just build a box around the machine as a result.
2. It has a single extruder. You won't be able to print two different material and/or color at the same time. The machine can be modified to run dual extruder, however, modding it might not be the easiest thing.
3. Sort of loud out the box. I bought dampers to quiet down the motors and it helped tremendously.

There is also an Orion model that's already built, but the platform is slightly smaller. Same price.

If the Rostock didn't exist, I would have the Creator Pro on my desk right now.

 

[turfgnome]

Do 3D printers come with a CAD-like program to create parts?

No but you can download freecad.

 

[WhiffySpark]

The zmorph is interesting

 

[87jeepwrangler]

Looks like a neat little printer. I have an ultimaker, and it works farely well.


Is this purchase a need, or a want? You can do some pretty cool stuff with them if you can 3D model.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Looks like a neat little printer. I have an ultimaker, and it works farely well.


Is this purchase a need, or a want? You can do some pretty cool stuff with them if you can 3D model.

Both. I'm looking into moving into the industry.

 

[LXCam]

Woot just ran a sale on printers and a 3d scanner a couple weeks ago. I only checked out the scanner and know nothing about the quality of what they had but the pricing was typical woot. From what I've seen just about anything they sell comes back around so you might keep an eye out.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Looks like I'm going to be ordering a robo r1 plus within a week or two. We are also getting a laser cutter/engraver. This shall be fun

 

[nine4gmc]

I'd love a laser engraver. The 3d printer would be cool too but I don't see having as much of a use for it as I would the laser for my own needs.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I have a laser, but only a 40 watt unit. It takes around 90 watts to engrave metal. I use it mostly on acrylic sheet and other materials. It's fantastic to make small perfect gaskets out of gasket sheet, or rubber sheet for lights, etc. If you can draw it, you can cut it.

3D printer is on my list. Ordered one on Kickstarter which should be arriving this spring. The Tiko unit looks to be promising.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Think we're ordering the glow forge. It looks freaking awesome.

Robo is just to get my feet wet. There's a million different choices right now I just want to get started. I'm I retested in the auto desk spark printer, but that's out of the budget right now

 

[Steevo]

My wife's cousin's husband (does that make him my cousin-in-law?) is working on building a 3D printer, and so far I have helped him out by fabricating some vertical screw drive blocks that his servo motors can lift/lower for the "Z" axis.

I am looking forward to what he does next, and the whole 3D printing genre has me excited about the future of fabrication, since it will now be easy to "print" things that previously could not possibly have been machined.

 

[WhiffySpark]

Well we ordered the glow forge. Hoping for it to be in around New Years