1 Topic by Skyler101

  • Skyler101
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  • Registered: 2013-03-15
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Topic: Hey from Melbourne Australia

Hi everyone.

Looking forward to learning all about 3d printing and building some mounting equipment for my photography hobby.

Looking for people in Melbourne who have a solidoodle, and can help answer some question.

Where is a good place to start in this hobby! smile

-Skyler101

2 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
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  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
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Re: Hey from Melbourne Australia

We do have some Aussie's here, but we can all answer your questions. 

Good place to start is to download the free software for slicing and printing and get used to it.  Slicing is turning the STL file into gcode instructions for the machine.  If you don't have any cad experience download Google Sketchup and familiarize yourself with that program so you can start creating your masterpieces.

3 Reply by ThatGuy

  • ThatGuy
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  • Registered: 2013-04-14
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Re: Hey from Melbourne Australia

I'm down in Geelong, but cmetzel is right. There's a wealth of knowledge on this forum.
Advantage of local is if you bust something, postage a replacement printed part won't sting as much as it cost you to ship your SD to Australia, if you get a forumite to help you out that is wink. Still makes my eyes water thinking about it (that and the foreign transaction fee).
We really need some cheaper filament suppliers down this way. I resorted to shipping 6kg direct out of China, it seems to be pretty decent stuff (postage though o.O).

4 Reply by adrian (edited by adrian 2013-06-18 14:14:50)

  • adrian
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Re: Hey from Melbourne Australia

I found Jamies service from Queensland for filament via 3dprintergear.com.au quite good. I've gotten my orders within just 2 days... and given the turn around combined with supporting a local business, I just don't find the lower cost and randomness of china-sourced filament worth it. The difference is very negligible - I mean, $39 shipped for a 1kg roll of ABS assuming you order more than $100 and get free shipping and getting it in 2 days versus what... $30 and waiting 3 weeks smile AND I get what I pay for.. not occasionally random supply decisions that can occur when goods are shipped via Guangzhou - usually when the need for a genuine good is at its highest wink

And ya, given his local, you can call him on his mobile 8am - 6pm Monday to Saturday..... not that I've ever actually had need to! smile