I just love 3D printers y'all.
Open source, you can make filiment from home, and it's literally a machine that duplicates itself. Beautiful based invention.
I haven't had a need to use one until recently and my god it's basically magic how easy it is to create complex designs
Great for making magnets! And just generally solving simple problems without having to go buy more shit.
I hurt my pinky somehow, sorta feels like I re-broke it. It was stopping me from playing guitar. Thankfully my work has a 3d printer that sits around mostly unused. I found a finger splint model, scaled it down to 50%, too small, up to 75%, perfect. took 20 minutes to print and guess who has a well supported pinky finger.
I really want one but I fear if I get it that it will collect dust and I suck at using it.
Yeah don't invest in one unless you have the time to invest in a new hobby.
I GOT THAT EXACT ONE
Tho I threw out the whole electronics box, and build up my own to run on an complete OpenSource solution with an Arduino Mega
Oh sweet, I have this one too! I'll have to check out that open source version. Do you have any info on it?
I basically used RAMPS and the firmware from there: https://www.repetier.com/firmware/v100/
Don't stress yourself too much about RAMPS only being supported """up to""" 1.4. The pinouts didn't change, RAMPS 1.5/1.6 just have beefier MOSFETs, better screw terminals and a heatsink. I even can provide you an enclosure for the electronics, I've designed it in highschool for RAMPS 1.4, but it should fit :)
I've just been using it to print fun stuff like 40k pieces
we've had one of those for years. it's not that revolutionarily incredible. if you are an engeneer you can print a gear or box or components of a specific size you want and cant find and take a lot of time to do it. it's not gonna 3d print you a catgirl waifu.
Oh yeah, I think 3D printers are technologically where cell phones were at in the 80's. I'm very excited about what this technology is evolving into and what we're going to see in the future.
Any machine recommendations for a poor noob? I'd love to be able to churn out some mini prototypes.
Some Ender 3 variant seems like the witches tit as far as price goes. It's what I bought and it's been fun. I'm not afraid of hacking and modding though.
Thanks! I'll have to check it out, some modding shouldn't be a problem for me.
It's more on the electronics and software side than drilling and grinding metal side, which I think are easier and cheaper equipment wise. Also, lots of parts you can print and then bolt on or slide into t-slots.
The Ender 3 is kinda like a parts kit of an open source design but all in one package and provided with low margin or benefiting from economies of scale (being cheaper than you can buy/build yourself).
I looked into just building a RepRap but it seems they were more pricy.
I bought a replicator (clone) on AliExpress, it was here in like a week and only cost me 120€. That fucker worked pretty much out of the box.
The X/Y axis weren't perfectly square to each other, but that was a 5 minute realignment by redoing the belt on the Y axis.
It is a comparatively small printer tho.
The CR-10 series of printers are very affordable and easy to work on. (about 200 - 250$)
I wouldn't recommend paying less than 150$ for a machine unless you buy it used or on sale.
I got a 3d printer and made a big pile of plastic garbage. Then I realized I don't really need more plastic garbage in my life but I still have the 3d printer
I love using mine to print stuff that helps organize my house & would be way overpriced if I bought it in a store. Stuff like headphone hangers, pencil holders, etc.
I just got one, and at the moment it seems fine for small things. I did see projects where people were designing and printing working tools for minecraft in a video game but i haven't dove into that.
If you get a prusa you will have to fiddle with it less than if you got a sub 500$ machine. You will still have to calibrate it on occasion tho. 3D printers are getting close, but they're not quite 'set it and forget it' just yet.
I've got a Prusa, it's not really devoid of issues, like, at all. I had to align the z axis motors every single print since for some reason they would get misaligned during prints, causing them to get crooked. That being said, it didn't seem to be a common problem when I was trying to find a solution to it in forums.
Don't donvote this comrade. They are right. it is a tool and not everyone need every tool
Better to print one piece of consumer garbage than have millions of consumer garbage where 2/3rds of it ends up in a landfill imo!
