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Choice of 3D printers

All things related to 3d printing
simon_t
Posts: 89
Joined: 17 Mar 2015, 21:45
Location: Herne Bay, Kent

Choice of 3D printers

Post by simon_t »

I see many benefits in having a 3D printer to support various hobbies - I would be interested in practical user experience/recommendations for a modestly priced 3D printer for occasional projects that will produce decent quality parts. I have been put off in the past due to poor resolution of prints that then either need a lot of finishing work or just end up looking bad, but I suspect the printers are a lot more mature now than when I last looked.

Simon
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Cliff Evans
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Joined: 29 Dec 2019, 15:13
Location: Bristol
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Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Cliff Evans »

How big a print do you want to do and do you have a price range in mind?
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Pat Marsden
Posts: 121
Joined: 18 Mar 2015, 06:29
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Pat Marsden »

Hi Simon
I have recently done research and bought a Creality Ender 3 - standard model - from Banggood for around £132. They get really good reviews and there is lots of online help/discussion/videos. I used PLA for my first print and got a really cute little dog for my efforts. Then I fiddled with it by adding a self levelling system and that has buggered up the save feature in the menu, probably an easy enough thing for a techie like you but several days worth of headache for me. Getting close to reverting back to stock just to get printing. I have also bought a role of PETG and today ordered a role of Greentec Pro under recommendation for printing items that may undergo high stress.

Pat
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Cliff Evans
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Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Cliff Evans »

I have three printers at present. A CEL Robox which has never given me a bad print, expensive but very reliable. The second is an Elegoo Mars resin printer. Small bed but the detail is outstanding. The most recent purchase was the Creallity Ender 5 plus. Big bed, self leveling. And again very reliable.
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Elliot Howells
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Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Elliot Howells »

Simon, I've just bought my first printer, a Creality Ender 3 V2, it's absolutely superb!

I'll post a pic of what it can do when I get 5 later :)

Ell.
simon_t
Posts: 89
Joined: 17 Mar 2015, 21:45
Location: Herne Bay, Kent

Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by simon_t »

Thanks everyone for your responses. I have started writing down a few things that will help me home in on a suitable price range and specification, but I’ve learnt a few things (probably most important is that Pat M should have bought an Ender 5 not a 3 :D )

I would like a resin printer for doing small detailed items such as cockpit controls and instruments, but I think it would have to be a non-resin printer for starters, due to the material options and size of bed. I need to do a bit more homework now, but It’s great that this new section has been added to the forum, as I think this technology is very appropriate for scale modelling.

Simon
Pat Marsden
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Joined: 18 Mar 2015, 06:29
Location: Lincolnshire, UK

Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Pat Marsden »

The most important thing is that I shouldnt have fiddled with the beggar :lol:
I am glad I bought the Ender 3 though, the bed size is planty big enough for me. If I decide to change in the coming years, or even add another printer, I may well get the Ender 5.
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Cliff Evans
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Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Cliff Evans »

Pat Marsden wrote: 23 Jan 2021, 13:18 The most important thing is that I shouldnt have fiddled with the beggar :lol:
I am glad I bought the Ender 3 though, the bed size is planty big enough for me. If I decide to change in the coming years, or even add another printer, I may well get the Ender 5.
Ender 5 plus if you do!
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FrankS
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Joined: 18 Mar 2015, 14:29
Location: Gloucestershire

Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by FrankS »

What CAD software are you using for designing the bits to be printed? Thanks.
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Cliff Evans
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Re: Choice of 3D printers

Post by Cliff Evans »

Solidworks for me.
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