Looking For First Printer

I am looking for a first printer. I want to print mostly in ABS since the prints I plan mostly need some strength and flexibility.

These are some of things I plan to start with printing but may need to print some bigger later.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1076997
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1485791

My budget is from $200 to $700. I would really like to print in dual color but that is likely not a common need I will have, just for playing around. I do have a degree in Electronics and work in that field so likely would not have a lot of issues with a kit. I always hate when you get something and parts are missing when trying to assemble or something does not work.

I also worry I will get this and it will be another project that sits in corner. There were a few items I wanted printed again and after finding printing will cost $100 too $200 I thought I might try to get my own printer. Last time I ordered them online they were made with PLA I think and were quite fragile.

I have been looking at the Monoprice units. Also looking at many kits on Amazon and Ebay as well. The choices are over whelming. Located in USA and do not want anything I must wait to come from overseas.

Kind of like the looks of this unit. http://wanhaousa.com/products/duplic...us-steel-frame

Any ideas?

Thanks.

If you really want to specialize in ABS printing you will need a fully enclosed printer. The one you linked isn't a bad model but it isn't enclosed. Your ABS prints will be garbage unfortunately.

For what you want I recommend the CEL Robox:

http://robox.cel-uk.com/rbx01.html

You will at least need good ventilation for ABS prints.
Don't underestimate the quality of PLA though, they are almost as strong and more flexible.
For a dual extruder that works well for PLA see if you can still buy a Lulzbot TAZ4 somewhere, those are very good machines.

I had some prints made by by online printer about 10 months back. They used what was labeled: "White Strong & Flexible". I was not impressed with the material. Some parts easily broke off. I assumed its just the way PLA is. Maybe I just expected too much from from 3d printing.

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Is this a good printer for my needs?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D8M32LU

More money then I want to spend but I also want something that works well. Its print size of 225 x 150 x 150mm is bit smaller then others too. Suggestions?

Or would it be better to spend a bit more on this unit?

https://www.amazon.com/FlashForge-Cr...dp/B00I8NM6JO/

China is good for many things, just not electronics. At least in my experience.
You will want the reliability, service and community support of a trusted brand so I would definitely invest a bit more and go for the Flashforge.
Other than the price point it's not a very impressive machine though it will be suitable for what you want to do. Considering all the opportunities a 3d printer brings you it will be worth it in the long term.

Or..if you want absolute cheapness:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTC-3D-Pri...0AAOSwBs1XMZXh

I second the QIDI Dual printer for ABS. It prints ABS like a champ as well as PeTG, PLA and a few more.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by matthewh

Is this a good printer for my needs?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D8M32LU

More money then I want to spend but I also want something that works well. Its print size of 225 x 150 x 150mm is bit smaller then others too. Suggestions?

Or would it be better to spend a bit more on this unit?

https://www.amazon.com/FlashForge-Cr...dp/B00I8NM6JO/

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ralphzoontjens

Or..if you want absolute cheapness:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTC-3D-Pri...0AAOSwBs1XMZXh

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Leaning toward the QIDI but how well will this cheaper unit print ABS?

If I get the QIDI from Amazon what other items/accessories should I order with it to get going?

Is Simplify3d a good software package to purchase to tweak designs etc? What I hate is it only allows to be installed on 2 PC's at time. I will be only one using the software but I have more machines then that.

simplify 3d is just for producing the model sent to the printer - you don't need it on more than one machine.
It's not cad software. Generally you just have it on the machine near the printer.

abs shrinks like a swine.
So if you keep the model at a constant temperature it all shrinks together rather then a little at a time. Stops warping, cracking and not sticking to the print bed.

Yes you can print abs in an open printer - but it's not easy.

Also you will find that pla is better than abs for most purposes.
And for those other things pet-g is better than abs.

Abs is cheap - but for me that doesn't outweigh all it's negative points and pet-g is getting cheaper all the time.

The quidi is probably your best bet if you want dual extrusion and insist on using abs :-)

The "FlashForge 3d Printer Creator Pro" states it has an aluminum build plate. Is there anything I must purchase to cover that plate when doing ABS or PLA prints? I hear talk of painters tape, hairspray, Octave Kapton Tape and etc. I will mostly be doing ABS.

I imagine when I get the printer I will need to level the print bed. Load filament, select print bed and print head temperatures. After that can I simply download a stl file from Thingiverse to SD card then print it? Or what more prep work is there?