Hi, My name is Matt and I'm a newbie!

[mattsol]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum. I am 39 and based in Hull,UK. Whilst I have many years experience in computing, photography and photoshop etc, I have never delved into the 3D arena. I would like to teach myself 3D modelling and 3D printing. My main reason is that I am a father of five and currently DIY'ing our victorian house. I am currently planning and building bedrooms for 2 of my 5 kids. The 3D printer would be making props, decorations and gadgets to incorporate into the rooms. For example, my 16yr old is a massive movie/tv buff. So I'd be printing iron man and guardians of the galaxy life size helmets, terminator skull and arms etc. My budget is obviously limited to the cheaper end of the market. I have found the models below on ebay, offering large print areas (which I think I'm going to need). I'd appreciate peoples thought on these. In particular-is an acrylic frame going to be good enough for a Prusa model? I could always DIY a frame out of other materials if needed. If anyone has any pointers, or things I should be looking out for when choosing a model-then please let me know. Thanks in advance and hopefully soon I can get printing!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LCD-Screen-Reprap-Prusa-i3-3D-Printer-Self-assembly-Print-5-Materials-/281866136586?hash=item41a087ec0a:g9wAAOSwv-NWVCOu

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131735226403?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageNa me=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-3D-Printer-DIY-Self-assembly-For-Home-Use-Printer-Precision-Reprap-Prusa-i3-/172126277675?hash=item281386902b:g:El8AAOSwp5JWZ6N E

[Mjolinor]

If you consider that in time you will have to learn all about your machine in order to keep it running then in your position I would buy this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3317985123...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Metal frame is a much more sensible option and the Wanhao seems to have a good reputation.

Couple of hours to go and it will not get any bids I don't think. You could wait for it to finish and bid the guy less for it.

[mattsol]

Cheers mate. Shame the print area is smaller than the others I found. However, you can get that model new on ebay for a few quid less than this "spares or repair" one. So something to think about.

[Mjolinor]

You do realise that you will have to pay a lot on taxes if you buy one from China.

[mattsol]

yeah I am aware-prefer to get one from the uk if possible, still saving for the printer-so no rush to find one.

[awerby]

If you're just getting started at this, I'd advise you to start with the modeling software, while keeping your eyes open for a good deal on the printer. If you want to make your own designs rather than just download them, you'll need to figure out 3D modeling first. Try a few different programs to see which one works best for you and the sorts of things you want to make. You can download demo versions of commercial programs as well as free ones. If the program you like best costs money, it can be worth buying, since you'll be dedicating a lot of time to it.

Once you've got models you want to print, there are lots of folks with printers eager to print them for you, at very little expense. See www.3dhubs.com for amateur printers in your area. If you do a few models this way, you'll start to get a feeling for which machines give what results, and when you do purchase a printer you'll know what to expect.

Andrew Werby
www.computersculpture.com

[curious aardvark]

avoid the acrylic framed iprusas and go for al all metal frame if possible - more rigid, better quality prints.

MJ is right about rhe wanhao as well - but make sure you get a MK II:
£289 - http://www.technologyoutlet.co.uk/pr...-duplicator-i3

[Mjolinor]

So who bought the ebay one?

Anyone from on here?

It was a good buy that.

[curious aardvark]

nah was a mk 1
too much pissing about to get it to work properly :-)