3D Printers

[Jarhead0331]

Does anybody here have a 3D printer, or at least worked with one? I've always been interested in the technology, and at various times, had planned on getting a fairly low budget one to tinker with. However, I never really researched the technology enough to make a reasoned decision.

I think I'm finally ready to make the jump and I've done a lot of research. I've narrowed it down to two or three models, but I'm having a lot of trouble making the final decision. The technology is so new and really, experimental, that I recognize that no matter which machine I get, I'm taking a chance...

So far, I'm looking very closely at the Dremel 3D45, the Craftbot3 or the Prusa Mk3. My budget is $1000 to $2000. The zmorph vx has also caught my eye. It's a 3D printer, CNC mill and laser engraver, but with all the tool heads included, it's $4000! Way more than I want to spend for my first printer, but it can do so much more...

I guess I'm just looking for some experiences and impressions with this technology overall.

[besilarius]

HP rolls out it's 3D printers.

https://www.wired.com/story/hps-3d-printers-build-items-of-steel/?mbid=social_fb

[Silent Disapproval Robot]

I'm on the fence about kickstarting this one.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dazz3dprinter/dazz-3d-the-most-advanced-lcd-sla-3d-printer?ref=discovery

[Jarhead0331]

I finally got one. Just couldn't wait anymore...decision on which one to get was not getting easier. The technology blows me away, but the machines are very complex, require real technical know-how and are anything but user friendly. Still, I'm learning a lot very quickly.

I've gone from printing very simply 20 minutes objects to extremely detailed 13 hour prints.

Very cool stuff.

[Jarhead0331]

Total print time...13h 58m. Nearly flawless. Just need to sand off some of the remaining support filament. I'm blown away by this technology. Seeing it in action is amazing.

[Jarhead0331]

[-budd-]

Don't know if your into fantasy stuff, but saw this today.

https://www.humblebundle.com/software/fantasy-3d-printable-models-software?hmb_source=navbar&hmb_medium=product_tile&hmb_campaign=tile_index_6

[Jarhead0331]

Thanks, Budd! Definitely going to check that out...here are some of my latest multi-part builds.

T-72b


This.Is.Sparta!


HMS Josef Prusa 

[-budd-]

Nice, can you reuse the plastic if you don't like the outcome? or is it a one shot deal.

[Jarhead0331]

Nice, can you reuse the plastic if you don't like the outcome? or is it a one shot deal.

No reusing. If it comes out bad, it goes into the garbage, but standard filament is pretty cheap.

[Jarhead0331]

Working on a 1:1 replica of a Glock 17. Its a functional toy. Will not fire live rounds. Still need to file off a bunch of the support material.

[Jarhead0331]

It's been awhile since I've posted anything about this hobby. Has anybody else picked it up?

I just bought my first resin printer, which is capable of producing very detailed minis and models. I've been holding off because it can be messy and pretty toxic, but I think I'm ready to give it a shot.

Printer arrives tomorrow!

[Con]

Arise my necro thread brethren

I just pulled the trigger on a Bambu printer
Going with filament to mostly print terrain WH40k and things like dice towers and Lego stands for my kids rapidly growing star wars lego collections
Bambu has the best reviews for a noob printer like myself apparently it's as close to print and forget as you can get with pretty fine printing for figures
However it's gotten some bad press recently due to forcing users to go through their cloud system which is causing a lot of agita for IP going to US/China servers as well as fear of being locked out of 3rd party software and proprietary filaments
Reason I still went with them is that I am a hobby printer not a print farm business so I have little to less concern in them going this route
Also they are having some pretty good sales due to looming tariffs forcing them to clear out inventory right now
Either way would be interested to hear how anyone else's 3d printing has been going
I almost went with resin printing but working in a lab for many years has me Leary of all the VOC and toxic residues without a proper air handler setup which I won't be installing in my basement  I decided I would just buy any printed figures for DnD etc and print terrain Dungeon or space hulk tiles instead
How have things evolved for you 3D printers since 2 years ago when this thread was last viewed?

 

[Jarhead0331]

Hey man...welcome to the hobby! I have a Bambu labs X1C with the AMS. It's by far my favorite printer. Totally awesome. Which printer did you get?

For miniatures, most people seem to prefer resin based printers for the details, but it's such a mess I just couldn't really get into it. I set mine up in my garage and in the winter, it's too cold in there for printing, so I had to get heating mats and space heaters. It was all too much of a pain. The detail that the X1C has is very impressive. I've made some pretty cool models with it.

Have fun and let us know if you have any questions.

[Con]

I went with the P1S with AMS
All in including 6 spools of resin plus additional nozzle and levelling feet and pad was $1000 which was where I was aiming for budget reasons.
I read that the AMS was a really good upgrade so I went that way.
I rationalized that for hobby printing and due to the current controversy the X1 was probably a bit too much printer for me right now and it seemed I would get the same results with the P1S which is a stripped down version of the X1 for terrain printing (speed is a nice to have)
The other point I was going to make is my kids are 13 and at school they are now surrounded by 3D printing for art and science projects etc so I justified it to the wife that they need to learn this skill. Certainly seems like something that will be used more and more going forward for this generation.