Buying my first 3D printer. Australia. On a budget but looking for good quality

[KoroKoro]

Found this interesting comment. (i guess I wasn't wrong about that tripod style design).

Quote: "flexible shaft? why? Printer can handle Dremel without problems. Precision is suck, due to bad Geeetech 3D printer design."

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1266600/#comments

I have a long flexible shaft too. Perhaps it could be possible with the ally getech? Though I'm still worried that the "precision is suck".

Thoughts?

[Sebastian Finke]

... I have a long flexible shaft too...

*quietly leaves thread*

[3dworkbench]

How big of a printer do you need? What kind of materials will you be working with?

[KoroKoro]

sebastian, dont act like you dont have one



this prototype i am needing is only 50 x 50 x 50. Though who knows what I'll be printing in the future. The prototype will just be made from ABS plastic, though for when I print other parts which need strength, this carbon fibre filament sounds good.
The alloy max size of 200 x 200 x 180 sounds useful. Since this will open many more avenues, I could be printing PCBs, stuff for RC hobby... so many possibilities. I'd hate to find that I need 50mm more.

Anything else I should consider before buying this?

[mazzi16]

If you look at this one:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/free...b-4eb0efa5a4a3

It has proper lead screws,rather than the threaded rod on the ebay one.It has an acrylic frame,and though some people don,t like them,mine has been perfectly fine for 2 years.
Close to $500au seems rather a lot for that ebay job.It,s still coming from China,so if you cut out the middleman,you,ll save a coupla hundred bucks.The alloy frame is perhaps an advantage,but the z-axis allthread rods aren't.
As for the electronics,almost ALL of that type of stuff is now made in China,Korea,or Malaysia.Their quality levels have risen rapidly,adding reliability,and I predict the prices will catch up sooner or later.
I would shy away from anything with a Melzi control board,mine burned out the bed heater after about a months use.But that is just my personal opinion,for what it's worth.

[3dworkbench]

A personal tip, try to buy from Amazon, something like the WanHao? https://www.amazon.com/Monoprice-Sel...s_6066127011_3

Their buyer protection programs are off the charts. Selling there is a pain in the arse but you are protected 100%

[KoroKoro]

perhaps the threaded rod wont be a deal breaker. Looks like I can upgrade that part without too much hassle. square acme threads look pretty easy to get.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/8mm-T8-Tr...RHJRXEacuJH3fQ

The 1mm pitch, 1mm lead with support bearings on each end looks ideal

I dunno about thinner steel frames (that front plate looks like its only 0.9 or 1.2mm) ... 6mm ally still looks quite sturdy.

[KoroKoro]

also, just wondering... for cnc side of things, do people replace those belts with acme threads too? those belts look quite stretchy

[Sebastian Finke]

sebastian, dont act like you dont have one



this prototype i am needing is only 50 x 50 x 50. Though who knows what I'll be printing in the future. The prototype will just be made from ABS plastic, though for when I print other parts which need strength, this carbon fibre filament sounds good.
The alloy max size of 200 x 200 x 180 sounds useful. Since this will open many more avenues, I could be printing PCBs, stuff for RC hobby... so many possibilities. I'd hate to find that I need 50mm more.

Anything else I should consider before buying this?

That won't be suitable for ABS, unless you make a hood that completely covers the entire printer and that'll be a pain to heat and keep hot.

[KoroKoro]

So just a hood? I dont think that will be difficult. I have many clear 50L tubs that could do the job. Though as a more permanent solution would be nice to keep it protected from dust and cats. I'm not so worried about swarf. Or is it more an issue of heating wattage? I thought the part needs to cool do avoid sagging and mushing detail.

https://youtu.be/7LVu3Ir10UQ?t=6m56s