Consumer 3D printer recommendations

[nlorntson]

Anyone have recommendations for a consumer grade 3D printer?

If you have one or have tried one what are things to look for or look out for?

They seem to be coming down in price and there appear to be numerous choices of printing technology and material.

What's the best option for the home user?

[YDBD]

I like Robo 3D R1, had one at home and two at school. Easy to use and good customer service. Connects easily with a USB cord and uses Matter Control software.

I upgraded to the Robo 2, not so fond of it-too much automation. Prints better than R1 but takes way longer. Does not connect via USB and the Cura software for it is not intuitive. The wifi from the R2 is not stable and can't control the printer very well from a computer. Have to use the little touch screen which can be finicky.

this was printed on the R1:

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'56 pan Dune Buggy since '69
don't live in the past...but when I did:
'67 bug
'64 baja
'60 dune buggy
'73 Personenkraftwagen Type 182 "Thing"

[nlorntson]

Thanks for the info!

[67ctbug]

I got a Creality Ender 3 for Christmas and it’s fantastic. Easy to assemble and get going. Already have printed some stuff for the bug. I’m using Amazon Basics filament.
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'67 Beetle L41
'74 Westfalia
'69 Plymouth "Adam-12"
'63 Ragtop
'73 914
'72 Dodge Wrecker
Go Cubs!
World Series Champions 2016

[finster]

the other day I saw an advert for a 3D printer printer - so that you can print your own printer

[TheDon]

Ive had a SeeMeCNC Rostock Max V3.2 and currently an Original Prusa MK3 and I prefer the prusa honestly.

Check out the Original Prusa Mk3 it has a ton of great features and makes getting into 3D printing less painful and has an easier learning curve than some of the cheap and unsafe chinese printers. But if you cant swing the $800 shipped for the kit then I also highly recommend a Creality CR-10 or CR-10 mini

I print mostly props and some stuff for the house out of PETG, none of that PLA weakness. I also have a raspberry pi running octoprint connected to it so I can upload files I slice with Simplify 3D from my laptop and not bother with unreliable USB tethered printing.

I'm finishing up a 100% 3D printed full scale R2D2. Everything has been printed now its onto finishing / painting.


Source: I help run a makerspace with multiple printers, have been printing for years.


Look into your local makerspaces and see if they offer intro to 3D printing, we do at MakerFX Makerspace, makerfx.org

https://nordeastmakers.com/

http://www.tcmaker.org/blog/
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[67ctbug]

[Kafer_Mike]

The best 'bang for your buck' is the Ender 3 Pro. Also, they just came out with the Ender 3 V2 -- https://www.creality3dofficial.com/products/ender-3-v2-3d-printer
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Kafer_Mike
Build 'em fast...or let 'em sit.

[LAGrunthaner]

Wow that Ender-3 V2 is super cheap at $270.

I have 3 Makerbots in my classroom and 1 Dremel. I like them but wish they were duel filament as one would be dissolvable for the supports. I've been printing student work from home and then mail, drop off in a box at school or kids come to my porch to get their projects. I only brought one matching home and it gets a lot of use, I don't have the room to bring more home and I don't mind printing all day long for the kids. Look into the dissolvable filament models which use 2 rolls of filament, well worth the money.