I have done some research & am having difficulty finding an easy to use (out of the box) 3D printer for a teenager that is no more than $700.
We looked at Printerbot (sounds difficult to calibrate properly) --> Makerbot (too expensive) --> DaVinci 1.0 & 1.1 plus.
Lots of confusing & conflicting info.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I tried a couple Davinci printers. They went back. :p
I considered the Printerbot. Seriously, I doubt it's more "difficult" than any other.
That said, I opted for a Creator Pro clone from Microcenter because of price. They no longer carry that one, so... another Creator Pro clone (from Monoprice) would hit your price point (http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_i...seq=1&format=2).
I'm sure there are many other possibilities...
Thank you! I will look into it.
I'd argue that the printrbot is easier to calibrate. Auto bed probing is pretty well implemented on the Simple, and there are numerous upgrades available!
yep one thing the makerbot clones aren't are easy to calibrate out of the box.
Lot of different variables that go into a good calibration.
The printrbot is definitely going to be easier for a beginner.
I think you get a better 'bang for your buck' with the Makerbot clones, like the Flashforge and Microcenter's, but I tend to lean toward printrbot's (Simple and Play) as they seem to be much more forgiving to the abuse that a first time user will put them through. They aren't the fastest, biggest or have the most filament choices, but they are a rugged, forgiving machine, and Brook's done a great job of offering a lot of cool upgrades for them too.
I'd say, maybe look at getting a Printrbot Play, see if they really enjoy it and use it, and then if they do, get a Makerbot Clone next birthday or Xmas :)
I have the Ultimaker 2 and am very satisfied with it, but it is quite pricy. Depending on the technical abilities, maybe the Ultimaker Orginal Kit? It's still a high performance printer and delivers very solid results.
A lot of printers out there for that money. Good printers too, fwiw. Ease of use is an issue though. 3D printers aren't difficult to use but do require a learning curve and some effort on the users part. Tramming, calibrating, repairing, modding... its all part of the 3D printing experience. Take the time to learning and sit with the (sometimes tedious) processes and you have get amazing results.
As a printrbot user I can tell you I'm satisfied. I would agree with the others, the automated calibration on the Play & Simple make them really easy to setup and the metal frame make them extremely rugged compared to other printers (wooden, plastic).
Feels a little strange to recommend another company's product, but the MOD-t is pretty much exactly what you want. It costs $399, there was less setup than a paper printer and the auto calibration on it is spot-on right out of the box.
The thing is, the limits of the MOD-t (Small build volume and PLA only) become apparent pretty fast. For the price, it's a good fast and easy way to figure out if you at least like the 3D printing hobby.
I have the same problem that Scuba. Honestly I´m a newbie in the 3D printing. I want to get in for Warhammer modeling, but I heard that even the easiest printers of the market need some desingning skills (for calibrating or adjusting the models). At kickstarter I found this project, Skriware that claims to be a really user friendly printer.It seems so. If I pledge there I will get the printer 200$ cheaper, but first i wantt to know if its specs are ok. I don´t know what are the key features to check.
This are the details shown on their website.
Printer Dimensions 330 mm (w) x 345 mm (d) x 425 mm (h)
Weight to be added later
Power requirements 100 - 230V 50/60 Hz 90 W
Connectivity WiFi and Ethernet
Printer control Full Color Touchscreen
Operating temperature 10-30oC (50-86oF)
File transfer WiFi, Ethernet, USB port and Skrimarket Print properties Print area 150 mm (w) x 150 mm (d) x 130 mm (h)
X/Y resolution 0,0125 mm
Z resolution 0,000625 mm
Layer thickness 0,05 - 0,3 mm
Nozzle size 0,3 mm
Maximum nozzle temperature 235oC (455oF)
Material type PLA, PET-G
Material diameter 1,75 mm
Supports Automatically generated Easily removable
I would appreciate any help. And maybe it can help Scuba Thanks in advance. And sorry for my English. I´m Spanish XD
You ave to be careful of the hype sometimes carried on 3D printing and especially the articles the founders put on this forum : many 3D printing projects have failed BIG TIME.
So, for the ~750$ of this printer that may be delivered according to its specs sometimes in the far future... you could get something reliable from an established company now.
Up to you. But PLEASE do not consider a Kickstart project as an existing product.
Only thing I don't like about that design is the Z axis design, seems like it would be cause for significant resonance in fast moves
it's on kickstarter - it's not an actual printer you can buy.
There are some truly fantastic printers available in spain at the moment that you can actually buy and actually exist :-)
Get one of those.
Check out these guys: awesome printers, not stupid prices: https://www.bcn3dtechnologies.com/
Yes! Really liking what BCN has! Richard Horne recently reviewed one, and gotta say, I was quite impressed! Some very nice looking printers!
I know that kisckstarter is just the beggining but these swedish guys seems to be serious, no just garage dreamers. At least the website of Skriware looks profesional. The fact that more attracts me is that it seems to be very intuitive on the videos. For example the platform that they are talking about.. Skrimarket is it viable? to buy and print de models directly? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2RilwZQzmsQuote:
Originally Posted by LambdaFF
I read some time ago that at Barcelona there was a gastrononomic project, using 3d printig to create amazing new recipes! They were using food as raw material!Quote:
Originally Posted by MiniMadRyan
I would choose Printrbot over Makerbot. I am really satisfied with their product and customer support. Makerbot, although their printers are less expensive, they are buggy (especially the latest generations) and they have a horrible customer support.
I don't want to burst your bubble, but look into the market. There are dozens of 3D model websites "specialized in 3D printing". Some have been there for years now and still barely have interesting material. Many have already been trying full printer integration. Not a success.Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlosBitHash
Would you really trust someone to send orders to your machine remotely ? It it fails or damages your printer, how do you handle the liability ?
Turn it however you want, not a good feature at this stage of things. When the machines will be able to provide useful feedback on what they're doing : updated configuration, real time position, filament presence, filament clog, filament remaining ... then they will be too expensive to sit on your desktop.
you mean a LOT more expensive, surely :-)Quote:
Makerbot, although their printers are less expensive,
if you're in spain - get a bcn3d. It's a real no brainer.
No offense but I would say, like the others, that Printrbot is easier to calibrate than other printers. Aside from that, they have great quality prints and incredible customer support. A happy and satisfied customer here.
Hi Guys,
Im about to release my Reach 3d Printer on Kickstarter next week.
I have 20 beta testers from around the US, UK, and France, giving me feedback, and I have made substantial changes from my batch 1 to batch 2. I will likely implement a z probe for auto leveling as my last major upgrade.
My current model has an almost completely aluminum frame, using 2020 and 2040 extrusions and 1/8" Aluminum plates. There is a geared extruder included and has a 200x200x215mm build volume. The electronics include the Ramps 1.4, 4000g.cm nema 17s, e3d v6 clone hot end, and a Laptop power supply. The Frame uses a Delrin V wheel drive system, a quick release table and a crash prevention z axis. All software and Firmware is opensource, based on the RepRap system.
Im Just finishing setting up a small production line, capable of producing 100 printers a month, but easily scale-able if Kickstarter demands.
After testing production methods and sourcing multiple suppliers, I estimate shipping will start in Late February to Mid March.
Take a look at the Reach 3d Printer at...
www.Reach3dPrinters.com
Thank you for your support, and Im happy to answer questions and accept feedback on the design.
Nate Rogers
Once again, great products started on Kickstarter but not all projects actually delivered.
Don't mistake that for a store, they have no obligation to deliver and Kickstarter is certainly doing nothing to enforce that.
If you want a product now, by from an established company. If you have another printer, cash to spare, and you're willing to wait a couple years... why not ?