Active Andy wrote:Thanks Heartless and Tim. Some really useful feedback. Maybe you're right Heartless on machine type as really looking at straightforward novelty plastic parts (maybe up to 12 inches diameter not tall though more flat) to supplement my normal printing stuff. Not mechanical as such.
What do you guys think of Ultimakers, Lulzbots or Makergear? These are other machines I've heard mentioned.
Thanks again.
mixed reviews on all of them, to be perfectly honest.
As tonyno mentioned - it is more about how much you are willing to invest your time & energy than about any specific brand of printer. I have built kit printers costing less than $400 that could print very well once calibrated & tuned. But it took time & effort to make that happen.
As carl mentioned, they do require tuning, tweaking, calibration, & maintenance on a regular basis.
you also need to learn how to use a slicing program, and all the various settings, and what each one does - and find one that you are comfortable with. There are plenty of those to chose from as well.
If you are not committed to doing all of these things - on an ongoing basis - then save your money and hire the print work done.
Now, all of that said, generally speaking - anything over the 8"x8" bed is kind of considered a "large format" printer.
larger sizes are becoming more common, with more options out there, but again.. do your homework. Research until you are sick of researching. Learn as much about a given machine as you possibly can from sources outside of the manufacturer - BEFORE you commit to buying... forums like this, facebook groups dedicated to specific machines.. there is gobs of information out there if one just looks for it.
Find out the strengths & weaknesses of the machine.. how much of a pain is it to calibrate, level the bed, etc.
Is it "open source" or "proprietary"? (< BIG difference between the two)
For the record - I do print work for others - https://www.facebook.com/northwoods3d/
I own 3 Solidoodle 4s, a Folgertech FT-5 large format and a PrintIt Industries Horizon.
Just recently traded my Folgertech Kossel for one of those SD4s. =P
SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1