3D Printer Advice - New Buyer - Tech Savy - Semi Limited Budget

[protechtrader]

Buying a smaller printer only means you need to assemble more parts for a big project. It all depends on the actual size of things you want to make.

A bigger plate also means you can put several models on, push print and forget about it for a time : less micro management.

Overall I am very happy with my Printrbot Metal Plus. The service is excellent and they frequently develop upgrades. The design is simple and sensible, easy to maintain and troubleshoot. But mainly, it just works. Based on that, I would also approve the Printrbot simple.

Flashforge seems to be a robust company too, they have many supporters here.

Thanks for the reply! Based on that I am leaning to think that its more about printed material size and a bit less about quality & strength of object when comparing some of these $500 range units to the $1000 range units. Is that a fair statement?

[LambdaFF]

Thanks for the reply! Based on that I am leaning to think that its more about printed material size and a bit less about quality & strength of object when comparing some of these $500 range units to the $1000 range units. Is that a fair statement?

Most of the FDM printers from the established brands (lulzbot, flashforge, printrbot ...) seem to have reached a certain level of quality. It doesn't mean it will print well whatever you throw at it. It means you get a more than reasonable chance to do nice stuff once you do your homework and learn the ropes. Their machines all work on the same principles and re-use common components.

So YES, the quality is probably comparable for those brands whether you buy small, medium or big printers.

Printrbot publishes a lot of stuff to help you understand the machine (mind you, I think lulzbot does the same) you can find it here for instance : http://help.printrbot.com/Guide/Asse...29/179?lang=en

As you can see, all metal and a lot of standard components that can be sourced from them or anywhere online. Sturdy and maintainable, just how I like it.

Nobody I know complained about big print volume, but as you can see everywhere there are kits to upgrade small build volumes. If you can afford it, don't start too small.