Recommend an inexpensive 3D printer please.

[merkyworks]

I'm biased for Prusa. They make robust printers, offer upgrade kits for older models to newer gen models when they come out, and provide years upon years of firmware/parts support.

This is one reason for lots of people that Prusa (and others) is still a "I want to mess with the printer" vs "I want to print things that work". Assembly, no matter how well written the instructions are, is another step between a user and printing, and another place for it to go wrong. Bambu's are shipped pre-assembled only, and if you skip the (optional) initial calibration stuff, can be printing within 5min of cutting open the box. Remove some mounting screws (marked with red tape arrows), peel off the protective plastic, and plug in.

This is not correct, Prusa sells fully assembled printers that you take out of the box and can be printing in 5 min as well. But the kits cater to people who like to build or save a little money as kits are less expensive.

XL = Semi-Assembled or Fully Assembled​

Core One L = Fully Assembled​

Core One = Kit or Fully Assembled​

MK4S = Kit or Fully Assembled​

Mini + = Kit​

As for CAD, many free options out there, below are just a few to consider.

OnShape.com, Free and online based so litterally any computer with an internet browser can run.​

FreeCAD.org, Free​

Fusion 360, Personal maker license is Free​

 

[soloz2]

I'm biased for Prusa. They make robust printers, offer upgrade kits for older models to newer gen models when they come out, and provide years upon years of firmware/parts support.



This is not correct, Prusa sells fully assembled printers that you take out of the box and can be printing in 5 min as well. But the kits cater to people who like to build or save a little money as kits are less expensive.

XL = Semi-Assembled or Fully Assembled​

Core One L = Fully Assembled​

Core One = Kit or Fully Assembled​

MK4S = Kit or Fully Assembled​

Mini + = Kit​

As for CAD, many free options out there, below are just a few to consider.

OnShape.com, Free and online based so litterally any computer with an internet browser can run.​

FreeCAD.org, Free​

Fusion 360, Personal maker license is Free​

I have a good friend with a Prusa MK3 and while he loves it and gets good results with it, i know for a fact he still has done a lot more fiddling to tweak in order to get good prints. They are also significantly more expensive than some other models. Good, absolutely! Maybe even the gold standard.
Bambu isn’t for everyone, but for the cost and the out of the box experience I’m sold!

 

[Cruzan80]

This is not correct, Prusa sells fully assembled printers that you take out of the box and can be printing in 5 min as well

Thank you for the correction. Looks like all but the Mini can come fully assembled.

 

[KwikFab]

And the second one just arrived!

 

[pcrov]

And the second one just arrived!

So much for a week ago not wanting another hobby. lol

 

[KwikFab]

So much for a week ago not wanting another hobby. lol

Know what the worst part is?

The author never even came back to say if he bought one or not (even after tagging him).

Here I am now with 2 printers and an AMS Lite yet a week ago I never 3D printed in my life

 

[loganb]

Know what the worst part is?

The author never even came back to say if he bought one or not (even after tagging him).

Here I am now with 2 printers and an AMS Lite yet a week ago I never 3D printed in my life

 

[KwikFab]

Whichever dog it is, one of them is gonna be cubone

 

[Aaron_W]

Thank you for the correction. Looks like all but the Mini can come fully assembled.

Most people just buy the kits because they are significantly cheaper and they are not that hard to put together.

Prusa also includes gummy bears with their printers, and calls out in the instructions when to take a gummy bear break.

 

[KwikFab]

Whichever dog it is, one of them is gonna be cubone

She wasn't as excited as I was



Although having two printers running at the same time is a massive help

Got done printing this earlier







And now it's working on another structure



While the Mini has been working on this



Tomorrow I've got some 'oak wood' coming in so I can print a ton of tracks for his Brio set

 

[pcrov]

Tomorrow I've got some 'oak wood' coming in so I can print a ton of tracks for his Brio set

I keep meaning to try wood pla. I want to see what can be done with it and stains etc.

She wasn't as excited as I was

What a sweet, patient girl

 

[KwikFab]

I keep meaning to try wood pla. I want to see what can be done with it and stains etc.


What a sweet, patient girl

She's super patient; she just sort of sat there and accepted it

 

[dscheidt]

She's super patient; she just sort of sat there and accepted it

she was plotting revenge.

 

[soloz2]

She wasn't as excited as I was



Although having two printers running at the same time is a massive help

Got done printing this earlier







And now it's working on another structure



While the Mini has been working on this



Tomorrow I've got some 'oak wood' coming in so I can print a ton of tracks for his Brio set

Make sure to upgrade the nozzle and extruder for more abrasive filament. I ordered a spool of glow pla with my P1S before realizing it was more abrasive so I haven’t opened it yet.

 

[mike93lx]

she was plotting revenge.

Revenge is for cats

 

[KwikFab]

Make sure to upgrade the nozzle and extruder for more abrasive filament. I ordered a spool of glow pla with my P1S before realizing it was more abrasive so I haven’t opened it yet.

I won't do abrasive material until I'm fitted for keeping filament dry but yes I will indeed do that!

I'll be going for the Obxidian nozzle instead of the Bambu hardened variant

 

[PelicanPines]

Been looking for several months... I killed a creality a few years ago. I have an insane credit @ amazoon... Gonna buy a FlashForge 5M Pro.

 

[KwikFab]

No better place to post than here - made a stand for my new printers

 

[soloz2]

Nice stand. I bought a shelf unit at Costco and used that. Much better than the temporary table i had been using lol

 

[rmack898]

I've been down with the Flu on the couch for two days. I have watched hours of youtube 3D printing videos.
I now have an A1 combo on its way. Gridfinity pushed me over the edge and with 130+ drawers in the shop, I should have it all done in about 6 or 7 years.

 

[KwikFab]

Nice stand. I bought a shelf unit at Costco and used that. Much better than the temporary table i had been using lol

Thanks!

I was being frugal and wanted to spend a little, but also had to be narrow and tall.

 

[samb]

Know what the worst part is?

The author never even came back to say if he bought one or not (even after tagging him).

Here I am now with 2 printers and an AMS Lite yet a week ago I never 3D printed in my life

Man you can't talk! Before last night 3D printers were some whimsy for nerds. I just bought one... Went on the Bambu website, saw the Jan sale on the P1S and AMS2 Pro combo and couldn't help myself.

You got a lot to answer for pal!

 

[willf650]

Dumb question but how easy is it to design basic shapes and print them for the uninitiated?

Is there limited use software available for drawing purposes for free?

 

[pcrov]

Dumb question but how easy is it to design basic shapes and print them for the uninitiated?

Is there limited use software available for drawing purposes for free?

Pretty easy. You might start with Tinkercad - it's based on designing with basic shapes.

 

[mike93lx]

Dumb question but how easy is it to design basic shapes and print them for the uninitiated?

Is there limited use software available for drawing purposes for free?

Tinkercad is pretty simple and they have some good, basic tutorials

There are tons of designs already online. Thingiverse, maker world, cults3d and more