SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Best 3D Printer up to $1500

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-29T16:15:10Z

Try looking at the MakerFarm i3v 8" printer for $650.00. All you need to supply beyond the kit is a power supply and glass for the printer platform.
http://www.makerfarm.com/index.php/3d-p … usion.html

This should do exactly what you want and not break the bank.

Bob

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-29T13:14:07Z

For what it's worth, the FlashForge Creator comes in at $1150, and is "prints right out of the box" without having to learn as much mechanical and electrical fiddling, or do or learn much calibration, as other printers in that price range. After most of a year with an SD3 I switched; before, I spent more time calibrating, fixing, upgrading, and throwing away failed prints than printing, but after, I have done so much printing I actually ran out of things to print. It's also dual extruder, and it's a fair bit quicker than the SD3. Print volume is longer on one dimension and shorter on the other two; this may seem like a net loss but I find when I can't fit something it's usually only in one dimension so it's turned out better.

Now, I'm not saying there aren't other printers in that price range that are better, I'm just saying, I have this one and I'm pleased with it. What you really want is to match the printer to your intentions; we can't gauge "better" without knowing "better at doing what?".

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-29T07:05:10Z

I have been really happy with the quality I'm getting from my Ord with little effort beyond basic flow calibration. You would definitely want to go preassembled with that one. Kits as a rule don't seem to be complete or well documented.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-29T06:32:33Z

There are a few pre-assembled OrdBot Hadrons for sale around the place for just under 1.5k.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T21:47:54Z

I always wanted an Ultimaker as my first printer. Unfortunately, it was out of my price range. I realized that I ended up at this website a lot while researching, and eventually ended up getting a Solidoodle, but only because I expected it to require modifications and other maintenance. An Up! plus may be a good machine if you just want to print and not mod anything. People generally seem pleased with them.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T19:58:56Z

For a first printer, it might be better to stay away from a delta. They have their own quirks and calibration issues.

An assembled printer like the Solidoodle is easy to start printing since you don't have to put it together, but it can take a lot of work to get it to print at the best quality. Something like the Mendel90 will take more work to put together, but you will get better results and be able to print at higher speeds without as much fussing around. Also you will have a better understanding of the printer if something goes wrong.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T19:44:02Z

Cartesian....

In all my searching I have been doing about what printers are out there, not once has a Delta printer came up, so I guess that's why I have not even considered it or even seen it for that matter.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T19:07:40Z

jspisak wrote:

To be honest I am not sure what Cartesian or Delta means.... So I really cant answer that.

I would suggest a bit more research on 3D printers before plopping down a stack of cash.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T18:44:10Z

To be honest I am not sure what Cartesian or Delta means.... So I really cant answer that.

As for the Mendel90 I am looking more for an assembled kit (I think), although I know it would be fun to put it together and I would know pretty much what goes where and how it works after (good learning experience).

Thanks for the suggestion on the Solidoodle 3, as you said its not much different.

Re: Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T16:11:30Z

Not the Solidoodle 4, in my opinion. Terrible support, long lead times, no accountability as a company. Violated GPL v3 license for years, not so much as an apology. If you're set on a Solidoodle, get a 3 and save yourself the $200. Lipstick on a pig.

I'm a big fan of the Mendel90. Do you want Cartesian or Delta?

Best 3D Printer up to $1500

2014-03-28T13:05:55Z

Hello all! I tried to do a search here to see if anyone else had asked the question but came up blank. looking for suggestions/comments etc, to help me make a decision on which 3D printer to purchase. I keep coming back to the Solidoodle 4 as the one based on my limited knowledge, reading reviews, comparing specs, etc.

Any thoughts?