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  1. #1
    Student
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
    Location
    Ft.Worth, TX
    Posts
    4

    Best 3D printer for $2000 or less?

    I've been researching 3D printers for several weeks now trying to figure out which one to buy. I want to print ABS plastic and I am going to be making parts for some electronics projects I am working on. I am quite experienced in Sketchup. I've downloaded the software for several of the popular printers to make sure I could export an STL from sketchup and import it into the printing software. I seem to have that down pat.

    The trouble is, I can't decide on a printer. When I read reviews on the internet just about every one of them are filled with complaints of people saying the product breaks often, support is terrible, etc. I have looked over and over at printers from Makerbot, Cube, Flashforge, Ultimaker, Lulzbot Taz, etc. I've watched tons of youtube videos on each.

    I can't decide. So here's the criteria important to me:
    • Needs to be around $2,000 or less. Preferably less.
    • Must print ABS plastic well.
    • 1 extruder is fine, I have no need for 2.
    • Must be reliable
    • I do not care about speed, I won't be printing more than 1 item per day, usually.
    • I do not care about resolution, most of the stuff I'm printing will be flat surfaces with 90 degree angles. I won't be printing figurines, dolls, etc.
    • Larger print area is desirable.
    • I've already ruled out Cube Systems because I don't want to buy their expensive filament rolls.
    • Must work with Mac OS X or at least use an SD card so I can copy my files over to it.


    So, some of you more experienced guys, can you give me a recommendation of what to buy?

  2. #2
    Technologist
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    Chandler, AZ
    Posts
    110
    Follow RAMTechRob On Twitter
    SeeMeCNC is what I have and I am very happy with it. The Delta Orion assembled is on sale now for $1299.

  3. #3
    Engineer
    Join Date
    Oct 2013
    Location
    new jersey
    Posts
    752
    Look into a makergear m2. You wont really find a better printer with a higher quality build and components for the money.

  4. #4
    Student Mike from Hillside's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2014
    Location
    Massachusetts
    Posts
    10
    Follow Mike from Hillside On Twitter Add Mike from Hillside on Thingiverse
    I second the Makergear M2. I've had mine for 3+ months and I was printing without issue a few hours after uncrating it. Well built, good response time to questions (from support) and well priced.

    Mike H.

  5. #5
    I've had very good experiences with the lulzbot, and the TAZ 4 is very well built.

  6. #6
    Technician
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    3D Printer Tellus
    Posts
    83
    Go with some "open" 3D printer, a RepRap that is alraedy assembled. Or check in my signature, the marketspace in my signature have bunch of printers that fits your criteria.

  7. #7
    Engineer ralphzoontjens's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Tilburg, the Netherlands
    Posts
    533
    Follow ralphzoontjens On Twitter Add ralphzoontjens on Facebook Add ralphzoontjens on Shapeways Add ralphzoontjens on Thingiverse
    My preferences are for Ultimaker or Lulzbot because they are trusted brands with good support, part availability and reliable for the long run.

  8. #8
    ave you ever use ultimaker before? many people suggest that 3d printer i just want to know is it worth buying or not? hahah

  9. #9
    Super Moderator curious aardvark's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Posts
    8,801
    ralph is kinda the professional lulzbot and ultimaker proposer, at least I'm assuming he's getting paid ;-)

    thread is 3 years old, industry moved on a LOT since then.

  10. #10
    Technician
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Posts
    95
    And the other thing I am learning... after another Qidi X One issue (noise, grinding, stuttering in x-axis, I think bad stepper motor cable) is that a lot of these parts are generic... limit cables, stepper motor cables, etc. No need to get from the manufacturer so the "parts availability" argument isn't valid for many items. 4x reprap stepper motor cables Amazon prime $9.99 US. No need to get them directly from Qidi in China.

    Edit: Or maybe not... I just looked more closely at the connectors and the Qidi cables might have different connectors, at least on one end. :-/
    Last edited by raylo32; 10-20-2017 at 07:56 AM.

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