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Topic: Need advice for a printer

Hi I'm a total newbie and I want to buy a 3D printer I'm 14 and have no experience with 3D printers. I have used auto cad software and a CNC machine before but no prior 3D experience. Could any of you recommend a printer for me? Thanks

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Re: Need advice for a printer

What is your budget?
Are you looking for a kit or something prebuilt?
What kind of materials do you want to use? If you're using ABS or any exotics, you'll need a machine with a heated bed.

Once you answer those questions we will gladly help point you in the right direction.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

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Re: Need advice for a printer

My budget is up to $1,000 usd I want to use pla or something similar. And I want something that comes built

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Re: Need advice for a printer

Okay, I will see what's available and good once I get home. I am sure everybody here has at least one opinion, if not more smile

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

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Re: Need advice for a printer

Hi I'm a total newbie and I want to buy a 3D printer I'm 14 and have no experience with 3D printers. I have used auto cad software and a CNC machine before but no prior 3D experience. Could any of you recommend a printer for me?
My budget is up to $1,000 usd I want to use pla or something similar. And I want something that comes built.Thanks

1) we all started out as total newbs. An understanding of operating cnc g code and the Cartesian plane should help a lot.
True auto cad is pretty much useless for 3d printing the more current autodesk products like 360 and invent are more what you need to use for a 3d printer.
2) I use pla find it fairly easy to print but it kind of needs a nozzle cooling fan something to look for.

3) for a grand there are many choices the robo 3d, the solidoodle 4, the asterid plastic scribbler   prusa i3, flashforge  creator original ects.

4) ask yourself and others lots of questions.
a) what do want to print ?  artistic objects or structural parts for something like a radio controlled car or drone?
b) what materials  I know we went over this pla is great but nylon and pet and other structural materials require more heat and a better quality hot end.
c) what size parts do you want to print therefore what size print envelope.
d) do you want dual extruders to print two materials in the same part or run. 
e) Are you comfortable fixing things ?
once you have made a short list look for revues and check out forums to see what kinds of problems folk have had with t prospective printer.
f) looks some printers look like they escaped from a high scool science lab others look like an appliance and many in between not top priority but consideration.  you are paying good money for it to sit on your desk or workbench.
Hope this helps.

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

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Re: Need advice for a printer

At that price range you can get some small but enclosed printers, or something larger but open frame. The solidoodle is the option you see here a lot, and luckily the forum here is a great resource. That does not mean that it's the best by any means.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

7 (edited by Tin Falcon 2015-06-04 22:48:00)

Re: Need advice for a printer

Newbie:
If you have no experience with a 3d printer it is hard to know what to buy. Also  It is  a decision you and likely your parents need to make. I suggest you look into the availability of using a 3d printer at your school, your local library or a local maker space. Also there may be a retailer near you that has 3d printers that they at least demonstrate. Micro center carries a few I believe tiger direct as well.
Using a 3d printer is fun and educational but also a lot of work. and they are not fast it takes a good hour to make a decent sized item and something like a hand will take overnight so large prints require a reliable machine.
IMHO a $1k budget is huge for a 14 year old. so you need to do your research and make a very wise choice.  I am a bit older than you and only spent half that on my first printer. I purchased a used solidoodle  sd4 it was a good choice but I still will likely buy an other printer. Likely a kossel kit or a core xy scratch build.
Choose wisely
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

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Re: Need advice for a printer

I have been PMing with newbie, he's getting a flashforge creator pro. It's a lot of machine.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)

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Re: Need advice for a printer

I am looking at a Flashforge Creator and a Creator Pro as well. Are they good machines? I like to read reviews but so many are seeded or payed now it is hard to get none bias opinions.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

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Re: Need advice for a printer

It's not a bad looking machine, I recommended it because it's a bigger name prebuilt machine with a pretty good following and some proven components.  If something goes wrong, it'll be much easier to troubleshoot than some of the more esoteric machines out there.

SD3 w/ RUMBA (8825s), merlin hot end (in pieces). Ender3 w/ silent board for PLA printing. Ender5 w/ silent board, e3d v6, new z lead screw, and glass bed. DiY Kossel w/ smoothieboard (in pieces). Vellman Vertex (in pieces)
Shapeoko2 router in process of being converted to laser engraver (in pieces)
Multicam 5000 series CNC Router w/ 11HP spindle, 5x10' table, and auto tool changer (in pieces)