Do I need a 3D printer?

[brewdexta]

My kids are 11 and 13 and would probably use one for making all sorts of tat, but woudl learn a lot in the process, plus I could make cool things like this that I could do with to tidy up my multitude of raspberry pi dotted around the place

Trouble is, the printer he used was about £3k, I think I could probably get away with a cheaper one but not sure I actually need to buy one - yet. This fall into the same bracket as CNC plasma, CNS router and TIG, all stuff I could use but would probably not get sufficient use, but I can see more scope for the 3D printer if it's not mega bucks.

Anybody have an idea what's the minimum 3D kit I would need to print something like that? When I say minimum, I mean reasonable quality minimum

Cheers
Andy

 

[stormin]

Buy a cheap one first like an eBay prusa kit. Get to know it tune it up and eventually upgrade when you outgrow it.

 

[WorkshopChris]

We went for a basic one, can't go wrong for the money, quick to build and set up, has made all sorts of small bits and pieces. max build size is around 200 x 200 x 250mm
https://www.3djake.uk/creality-3d-printers-spare-parts/ender-3

 

[Mark 2]

I'm thinking of getting one as well.

Are Lego not taking a dip in sales as a result?

 

[msh10]

Looked at one that poped up on hot uk deals cheap enough just to play, https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cr...9-delivered-via-a-de-warehouse-tomtop-3497800

 

[Jlg]

Looked at one that poped up on hot uk deals cheap enough just to play, https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/cr...9-delivered-via-a-de-warehouse-tomtop-3497800

There a decent printer for the money

 

[m_c]

Do you need anything in life?

In all seriousness, Ender 3. Gives best performance for price, with lots of support available.

 

[armalites]

The main problem with that piece will be the length if it's printed in one piece.

3D printing will all come down to how much time you have on your hands, I really did not have the time for another project so I bought a Prusa I3 Mk3. Good results from the word go, the kids were printing their own stuff without any assistance pretty quickly.

It can be challenging designing making stuff without spending a big chunk of time having to fine tune the printer.

It's quite a common thing that people have a dozen ideas for things they could make but if it's something you need to design from scratch then you need to learn CAD before you can do anything.

Even if you find what you need already available to download there is a good chance it was printed on a different printer to the one own and won't be 100% without tuning. We've found that with our Prusa, prints from the Prusa page work perfectly but sometimes things from Thingiverse need some tweeking.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

I thought I couldn't live without one....I saw it in the loft the other day!

The CAD software I used was straightforward but a bit limited. I did print a few minions which was good fun.

Mine was bought years ago...reckon they've come a long way in terms of ease of use.

 

[gerrymoore]

I've just bought one!! Thought about it for a long while and was missing my CNC plasma...... a lot!! I've bought an Anycubic MEGA S which comes almost assembled just 8 screws to fit and your running. £220.00 delivered. It comes with files for a tiny pair of owls...and some PLA filament but I had already bought a roll of filament so I used that. Had two little owls printed perfectly within an hour of unboxing it.

Now I'm busy printing a rolling ball clock ...found the plans on YouTube and all the printer files are there. I've had to get my head around converting the files to GCode but Simply3d does that easily.

Bit of a learning curve but getting there quickly!! One piece of advice - don't buy 'cheap' filament as it keeps breaking although some of that was me!! Pic shows some of the parts I've managed to print...eyeglass is for scale.....

 

[brewdexta]

oops, just bought an ender3 pro with 2kg of doo dah and some other filament for £223

If nothing else it will keep the kids busy on rainy days during this extended school break, and we get lots of rain up here in the Pennines

Any tips on best place for consumables, CAD, forums etc? I know absolutely nothing about 3D printing.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

That anycubic is the same as the machine in my loft.

There was some free CAD software I used but I'll have to remember the name of it.

Mostly I downloaded plans from thingyverse (is that still going?)

If your kids are going to be using it I would buy quality filament from a descent supplier.

 

[gerrymoore]

There is a 3d forum on here but I think it's more advanced than for us 'beginners'.

The only problem I've got is at the end of each print, the printhead just stops and then melts itself into my print I have tried to find a way to lift the z axis at the end of the print but can't seem to find it in Simplify3d .....the program I use for my gcode..... anyone know please??

 

[chrisg3103]

Now I'm busy printing a rolling ball clock ...

View attachment 240514

So that's what your up to

Regarding printer, yes, you need one...
I'm still very much a noob with fusion and the likes and fro quick 'things' revert to tinkered, very simple to use, not proper cad but can make decent stuff.

this is the most recent thing, a discontinued choke linkage part for a fiat 126... about 10 - 20 min to measure and design, 5 minutes to print and a couple of tweeks and reprints to get it to fit properly. In all just over an hours work from need a part to have a part, thats why you need a printer!
Admittedly it doesn't get used ever day, but when its needed its a godsend

 

[daedalusminos]

I have tried to find a way to lift the z axis at the end of the print but can't seem to find it in Simplify3d

Can't help with Simplify3D, but look for append custom G-code...you want to add something like...

G28 X0 - home X-axis

...and turn off bed and extruder heaters