Advice on HiRes printer choices

[JimB]

how strong do the parts need to be - ie: what kind of stress does the most stressed part take and in what directions.

There should be minimal loading, the intention is to confirm "unloaded function", that is to say, do the bits work together correctly? This is intended to be a Proof of Concept before going to the much more expensive steel fabrication, and so the device function can be quickly and simply demonstrated.

Oh and start thinking and working in millimetres.

I did my apprenticeship in both mm and inches, can machine to either thous or microns, but I got lazy I'll bear your advice in mind!

Also how you design the parts makes a HUGE difference.

Parts designed specifically to be 3d printed will be stronger and mush easier to print than parts you just designed without taking 3d printing requirements into account.

How do I learn the specifics of "Designing for 3d Print"? I use FreeCAD and am reasonably able with that, but it sounds like there is more to it...are there documents/videos that will help with my design style?

Probably the best suited to your purposes at the moment would be a flashforge replicator pro 2 - unfortunately It's pretty new and i can't find a UK distributor.

Thanks...I'll have a look.

How 'handy' are you with mechanical things ? ie: would you be happy with a build it yourself kit ? as opposed to a ready built machine ?

Pretty handy...before I got into computer networking (I'm a freelance consultant) I was a ships engineer...you got to be handy when you're thousands of miles from anywhere and something breaks A kit sounds like additional fun!