1 Topic by cs (edited by cs 2014-12-19 00:30:21)

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Topic: Printer for beginner

Hi,

I am a comblete noob to 3D printing and am looking to get my toes wet in printing.I am looking for a printer to get me started, and was wondering what any of you guys would reccomend.

Basic Requirements (Tell me if I'm wrong):

Sub $1200 price
Printbed larger than 7" in at least 2 axises.
ABS, PLA
Fast(ish) speed
Somewhat intuitive
LCD preinstalled (not completely necessary, but an added benefit)
Heated bed
Durable

Would be nice to have...
LCD
Dual Extruded
Experimental Filaments
SD Slot for untethered printing


I am currently thinking of getting:

Orion Delta, SD4, SD Workstation, Robo 3D R1, Printrbot Metal Plus, Plastic Scribbler Leapfrog,  Creatr, MBot II/II+,

Thanks.

2 Reply by satman49

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Re: Printer for beginner

That's alot of variables  Is dual extruders a must?

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

3 Reply by cs

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Re: Printer for beginner

Not really.it would be nice to have, but isnt really a dealbreaker. Same goes for lcd, sd, or experimental filmaments

4 Reply by satman49

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Re: Printer for beginner

I am looking at a Plastic Scribbler  (the mid price range one) The specs look good.A big plus for me is actually  getting to Talk to someone there, which I did.

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

5 Reply by wire10ga

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Re: Printer for beginner

Take a look at the FlashForge Creator Pro

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

wire10ga's Website

6 Reply by cs

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Re: Printer for beginner

A little on the expensive side when I could get a larger workbench.

7 Reply by wire10ga (edited by wire10ga 2014-12-20 14:37:38)

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Re: Printer for beginner

True, but it has a lot of great reviews for beginners. 
Here is a good review of top printers from 3d HUB owners. 
http://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide
You notice SD did not even make the cut.  Don't get me wrong, I love my SD2, but I would not recommend it for a 1st printer.  There is just too many things you have to fix / upgrade to get your machine to preform the way it should out of the box.
Here is the list of all the printers and their rating.
http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

wire10ga's Website

8 Reply by cs

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Re: Printer for beginner

What is your opinion of the Leapfrog Creatr?

9 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-12-20 19:39:11)

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Re: Printer for beginner

wire10ga wrote:

True, but it has a lot of great reviews for beginners. 
Here is a good review of top printers from 3d HUB owners. 
http://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide
You notice SD did not even make the cut.  Don't get me wrong, I love my SD2, but I would not recommend it for a 1st printer.  There is just too many things you have to fix / upgrade to get your machine to preform the way it should out of the box.
Here is the list of all the printers and their rating.
http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers


I also added to that review and said same as you of my SD2. I really like mine, BUT not recommended for new 3Ders. I also listed many of the ones posted above in this topic.

I would like to add though. unless you intend to buy more 3D printers soon after starting. get all options listed above with 1st purchase even if more money. then you wont need another 3D printer unless you sell lots and need more production line.

exotic filaments and duel extruders for support material are a must for best results with extruder type 3D printers. also an inclosure with easy fast access panels. and a charcoal filtered exuast system for fumes.

keep spare parts also for things that go bad/break

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

10 Reply by wire10ga

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Re: Printer for beginner

cs wrote:

What is your opinion of the Leapfrog Creatr?


Have not heard too much about it, but it looks like a good solid printer. If it was me, I would find there owner forum (like this one here) and see what they say on it.

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

wire10ga's Website

11 Reply by DePartedPrinter

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Re: Printer for beginner

n2ri wrote:
wire10ga wrote:

True, but it has a lot of great reviews for beginners. 
Here is a good review of top printers from 3d HUB owners. 
http://www.3dhubs.com/best-3d-printer-guide
You notice SD did not even make the cut.  Don't get me wrong, I love my SD2, but I would not recommend it for a 1st printer.  There is just too many things you have to fix / upgrade to get your machine to preform the way it should out of the box.
Here is the list of all the printers and their rating.
http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers


I also added to that review and said same as you of my SD2. I really like mine, BUT not recommended for new 3Ders. I also listed many of the ones posted above in this topic.

I would like to add though. unless you intend to buy more 3D printers soon after starting. get all options listed above with 1st purchase even if more money. then you wont need another 3D printer unless you sell lots and need more production line.


I would take a lot of this advice with a big grain of salt. For starters, Solidoodle no longer makes the SD2 so talking about it is irrelevant. I will add however that my SD2 printed well over 300 prints right out of the box with no modifications required.

The first question one should ask before buying a new printer is simply: what do you want to print?


n2ri wrote:

exotic filaments and duel extruders for support material are a must for best results with extruder type 3D printers.

This is just not true. There are many factors that come into play. User knowledge being one...

SD2 with E3D, SD Press, Form 1+
Filastruder
NYLON (taulman): http://www.soliforum.com/topic/466/nylon/