Quote Originally Posted by RobH2 View Post
Fixing a 3d printer malfunction is not very difficult usually. Asking, "what do you do when it breaks" is maybe not the best way to ask the question. A 3d printer is an amalgamation of a bunch of discrete parts that all work together to perform a task, much like any mechanical device. Some things are more likely to wear or break but when a printer malfunctions, you just have to find the faulty component and replace it. If that's a ceramic heater, well, then you just pull it out and wire in a new one. It takes 10-minutes or less. If a stepper motor goes, you unbolt it and connect a new one. Not a difficult task. If the prints get sloppy or irregular, it might be loose bolts.

So a printer breaking is not a singular thing like breaking a drinking glass. A printer can malfunction in a number of ways. I would say that a 3d printer is not the right device for someone without any desire to get involved with maintenance. If you are a plug and play kind of person and you want to just turn it on and have it work, a 3d printer is not for you yet. Maybe someday they will be like that, but not yet. Having said that, the skills required to use and maintain don't take a degree in physics either. They are straight forward and logical and a 10 year-old can do it. But you have to be willing to learn a few new things and not be afraid to read and figure a few things out.

Many people have gotten so used to plug and play devices that they've lost the inclination or aptitude for figuring out simple devices and fixing them. Many people can't go much further than changing batteries in a remote and that's a shame. It is however a testament to the quality of product development and simplicity that is built into many of our everyday toys that are very, very complex under the hood. But, rarely do we need to learn what's under the hood. It works or it doesn't and if it stops working it is tossed out and a new one is purchased. I can't tell you how many people dispose of computers that they think are broken when it was only a program malfunction. The computer is still perfectly good. But, many people don't understand that. If it doesn't work, for whatever reason, then to them it's completely broken and needs to be thrown away.

So to get back to "How good with the quality be" I'll say this. Yes, you frequently do get what you pay for. But, fortunately for 3d printers, most of the ones we Reprappers buy and build all use parts from the same pond. Most all printers in the sub $2000 range are using similar stepper motors, hot ends, power supplies, etc. So, if you get an inexpensive printer and something breaks, just replace or upgrade the part and you'll be going again. You need to be a tiny bit clever to own a 3d printer. And, if you are very clever and extremely handy, you'll love every minute of it. They are amazing and useful tools.

I've always felt that you are better off building your machine then buying a prebuilt one because you truly learn about it top to bottom. That way if it breaks, it's easier to diagnose and repair. The important thing is not to fret over it too much. In the scope of things, spending $500 on a printer is not a huge investment for most people. Stay home from going out 4 or 5 weekends and you have that. The important thing is to just dive into this amazing technology and play with it. I'm guessing that even if you buy a cheap printer that breaks beyond repair after 6-months that you won't care because you'll be so hooked you'll pay more to buy a better one. It's truly something that will either completely captivate you or you'll have no interest in it at all. I don't think there is a gray area. So, "Just Do It" (don't sue me NIKE!.)
Not a bad statement. I agree with most of what you say. And yes, typically anyone can figure out a 3D printer, IF they want to spend the time to do it AND have the aptitude. A 10 year can learn it if they have both of those traits. But the "consumer" people refer to are typically referring to the everyday IPhone owner. I have 3 machines running right now in my home. My wife still says, "If you didn't have those things here I sure wouldn't because I don't need them or see a need for them in a home".

Sure some people get the machines with the idea that it is "plug and play" but they are not and they soon find themselves in a very unsatisfied position.

I will say that you do not just go buy parts from around the world and assume they will work they way you want. I have tried it and spent a lot of time and money in R&D to build the machines that we sell. I know people who have multiple machines from many different vendors. So far I have yet to find one that most parts can be replaced in 10 minutes. The general idea is there but you should know that when you start messing with the components there is the chance that something else could break.

Still I think you hit the nail on the head.