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Topic: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Hello to everyone,

I’m a bit stuck of choosing my first 3D printer.
I don’t have any 3d modelling or printing experience.
I had a big list of printers but narrow it down to final 2.
First of all let me tell you my budget is around 250-300£.
My first choice is : XYZprinting 3F1J0XEU00E Junior 3D Printer.
I like because it small (don’t have much space in my flat) and it build in own enclose, and it comes readymade.
Down side its only uses PLA filament, build size it’s not that great too.
And if I understood correctly (please correct me if I wrong) if f/w 2.2.0 or higher will not accept refilled tags?

My second choice would be Anycubic Assemble Delta Rostock 3D Printer Kossel Kit
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anycubic-Assem … 93ANHDNQ52

I like it because its prints PLA,ABS and other, it’s got big building size.
But down size its HUGE, don’t know if i be able to set it up by myself, calibrate and etch.

So I’m a bit stuck in here : /

Any help will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance

Rom

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

personal choice here, but I would not go for either of those as a first printer.

The DaVinci is a proprietary system - unless you are willing to hack it - so you are stuck buying their overpriced material

Delta's are notoriously difficult to calibrate.

Try to find something open source - there are plenty of Prusa style machines out there that would make a better 1st printer than either of the 2 you have listed. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from things with acrylic frames - they are not rigid enough.

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

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Noticed to stay away from acrylic frames. smile
Yes I don’t mind to hack DaVinci, I really like it design plus it small.

What you think about this one then?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/ALUNAR-Self-As … ords=Prusa

Again don’t fell comfortable i will knew how to set it up or calibrate

4 (edited by Tin Falcon 2017-05-20 18:08:02)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Monoprice MP Select Mini 3D Printer

http://www.zaqsons.co.uk/s/index.php?id … er=product

You may also try to find a Monoprice maker Select or a Wanhoa  version of the prusa .
I would expect the one you show to have a acylic frame . these Chinese machines are often shady on the specs.

Again don’t fell comfortable i will knew how to set it up or calibrate

If you do not feel comfortable setting up a printer hacking into a davinici  may not be comfortable either.

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

5 (edited by carl_m1968 2017-05-20 18:59:33)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

I would avoid anything by XYZ like disease. I had a 1.0. Their customer service is horrible. Also unless you buy it from one of their authorized sellers, they will not honor the warranty. In the 3d world you will get what you pay for. If it is cheap, there is a reason. I would suggest a little more homework. This is a very deep rabbit hole so the more you know, the better before you jump in.

Just a final note. Regardless of what the seller or manufacturer says, there is no such thing at this time in the 3d world as plug and play. You will need to play with settings, maybe even tweak firmware. The exception would be the high end SLA printers. But those will also set you back $1000+ and have their own issues.

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.

6

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

^+1

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

7

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Thank you Lads for you advises, really appreciate it.
You see Im living in UK and cant find any Monoprice or a Wanhoa authorized sellers (be honestly nothing at all).
I could ship it from US or some other country but then I will need to pay extra for delivery and export fees.
Now Im having doubts, if I really need it....

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Sorry my bad found one smile

hmm/www.technologyoutlet.co.uk/collectio … 4757531205

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Start with what I did: Do your homework, and double-check every option available to you before you make a final decision. It usually helps to set yourself a budget, then look for machines that fall in that range.
That being said, by asking here, you took a step that I wish I had: reaching out to others for their opinions. This forum contains experts and newbies alike, so most of the time you might find someone who has made similar mistakes, or someone who can help you prevent one from happening.
Back to your initial request: A great place to get an idea of what exists and what to look for (in terms of the name brands) is the Make: Magazine 3D Printer Buyer's Guide. These guys have been keeping a spotlight on 3D printing for a long time, and may even inspire you to put your new printer to use.
The site I bought mine from: https://www.3dprintersonlinestore.com/
It is based in Asia, but the shipping is free, unlike most of the other cheap alternatives I found at the time. They sell both name-brand and clone printers, and while they do sell stuff like [shudder] Sintron, they also have the reliable stuff like Folgertech. If you do check the site out, be sure to look up the actual brand, and see if they have a website (Folgertech does). While I expect buying direct is too pricey to ship, but I just checked the shipping for a MaxMicron printer to Bristol, UK...4-6 days DHL shipping, $0. I'd assume the same applies to all of the other DIY printers (to anywhere in the UK), if not all of the printers.
But that's just where I got my printer. What really matters is, which printer do you want? Are you looking for the closest a printer can get to Plug-n-Play, or can you get your hands dirty? Are you satisfied with a portable machine meant for PLA, or do you need a large machine that can print ABS?

Don't make the same mistakes that I did. Think about what you want, look at the machines that offer just that, research these machines to see what they need, and double check that what you are about to buy is right for you.
Oh, and listen to the other posters:

  • XYZ printing=bad, unless you want to see how cheap a "name-brand" 3D printer can be (I know, my school has the original).

  • Acylic frame=also bad, my printer at home has a few pieces mixed in and the most critical ones all broke

  • Start with a Cartesian (basic x,y,z coordinates). Deltas and h-bot gantrys are harder to maintain and work best with powerful 32-bit controllers that can handle the complex calculations required. Cartesians and some others can get away with 8-bit AVR controllers, like RAMPS.

If some of these terms go over your head, Google them. It's good stuff to know.

Filastruder 2607 w/ Filawinder @1.75mm.
Dual-extruder MaxMicron Prusa Mendel: RAMPS 1.4 w/ Repetier Firmware+Full Graphic LCD Controller, stock hotends, 3Dator extruders w/ MK8 gears, insulated enclosure w/ 2 heat lamps, RPi 2B w/ Repetier Server.
0.1-0.2mm layer height, heated bed w/ PEI surface, inductive-sensor autolevel, 0.5mm to 0.2mm nozzle diameters.

10 (edited by Tin Falcon 2017-05-20 22:47:39)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

This link may work better
https://www.technologyoutlet.co.uk/prod … 0616445266

Let us know how things work. This one has a decent rep and a metal frame . 8 inch build area etc.


Now Im having doubts, if I really need it....

That is for you to decide it can be challenging and rewarding.

You need some skills or be willing to learn. Mechanical skills ,electronic and  software.
dogged stubbornness helps too.

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

11 (edited by JeremyLGSiegfried 2017-05-20 23:40:42)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Yep, that's a sturdy printer alright. Here's the manual, from the manufacturer's site.
Read before you buy: That's the most important rule I've learned shopping online or for "investment" machines. It goes for manuals, reviews, and even general Q&A.

EDIT: Almost forgot! Get comfortable with a slicing software while you wait for your printer to arrive. That way, you can simply enter the final config details of your printer into the software and start slicing a model to print, instead of leaving the machine to sit while you learn how to use the slicer.
The above manual has 3 programs (with links) listed at the end.

Filastruder 2607 w/ Filawinder @1.75mm.
Dual-extruder MaxMicron Prusa Mendel: RAMPS 1.4 w/ Repetier Firmware+Full Graphic LCD Controller, stock hotends, 3Dator extruders w/ MK8 gears, insulated enclosure w/ 2 heat lamps, RPi 2B w/ Repetier Server.
0.1-0.2mm layer height, heated bed w/ PEI surface, inductive-sensor autolevel, 0.5mm to 0.2mm nozzle diameters.

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

+1 always download and read the manual before buying.

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: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Lads,

As I said before thank you again for your all support. I got a point not to buy something cheap and regret later, get stuck with it and pull up my hair out of my head. It happened with me in the past, and then you think why I didn’t listen or done more research?
I don’t mind to get my hands dirty, that’s probably main reason to get myself 3d printer in the first place. I’m not excited what I could print with it, but about printing process, how to do it and etch.
Originally my budget was up to 200£, after seeing all cheap crab on eBay and amazon it went up to 300£(and listening to you guys of course) and I will stick around with it for now.
In the beginning I will play around with LPA filaments, as I understand ABS required a little bit more knowledge. So it would be nice to have machine that I could use for both...
The main reason was considering to get myself DaVinci is because all other printers looks so scary and complicated, and not gonna lie price helped too. But I over it now, know it is nice people in this forum who will happily help me if I get stuck somewhere...

So my plan is like this for now:
1)I’m sticking with WANHAO I3 DUPLICATOR V2.1 till Friday to do more research, read manual wink and plus its paid day cant order before that anyway lol
2) Will learn about slicing and other software.

I will keep you updated with all my steps here

Thank you again!!!

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

So my plan is like this for now:
1)I’m sticking with WANHAO I3 DUPLICATOR V2.1 till Friday to do more research, read manual wink and plus its paid day cant order before that anyway lol
2) Will learn about slicing and other software.
I will keep you updated with all my steps here
Thank you again!!!

Sound like a plan . and should be a good one. Glad we could help! and do not forget you will need a rol of filament to get started.

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

15

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Completely forgot will put as number 3 on my list

16 (edited by pirvan 2017-05-22 13:45:36)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Tin Falcon wrote:

Monoprice MP Select Mini 3D Printer

http://www.zaqsons.co.uk/s/index.php?id … er=product

You may also try to find a Monoprice maker Select or a Wanhoa  version of the prusa .
I would expect the one you show to have a acylic frame . these Chinese machines are often shady on the specs.

Again don’t fell comfortable i will knew how to set it up or calibrate

If you do not feel comfortable setting up a printer hacking into a davinici  may not be comfortable either.

Tin

The Mini Select is a nice little printer, well made and all that, BUT, and this is a big one for me, it's very noisy.  If you don't care about the noise, it should be a nice little starter printer.

While you can print ABS (it has a heated bed), it should be put inside and enclosure of sorts.  Just about every ABS print I made exhibited cracks (layer delamination).

For these reasons, I returned it after about 2 weeks.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

17

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Looks like he is going for the WANHAO I3 DUPLICATOR V2.1

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

18 (edited by zion2285 2017-05-23 14:10:46)

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

So guys Im doing my homework, and understanding a lot things can go wrong, I mean a lot, a lot.... And more questions coming to my mind....
With slicer I decided to use Cura (As for me it looked more user friendly and colorish) out of Repetier,MatterControl and slic3r.
First I downloaded latest version 2.5, but couldn't find any normal tutorial and specially printhead settings.
So I dowloaded 15.02.1 version from wanhao website(as it was recommended) and done settings by this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDXo2GBmbtU&t=10s As I saw with latest cura you connect to printer directly, and older version is offline mode, you  slice your print and upload to sd card.
Will I miss a lot for using older version?

Next I started building stand for a printer, most likely it will be in my bedroom next to my main pc, as I understood from privan it will be very loud machine would it be possible to pause prints? I saw option to pause in cura to change filament. But does it possible to switch off completely? Im guessing not as everything cools down, and putting hot filament layer on the top of cold one....


One more thing filament , as I understand a lot depends what quality is it. What brands would you recommend? PLA of course for now.
I'm thinking to get this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013IHX9EA/ … &psc=1

And again almost forgot to ask, maybe someone owns DUPLICATOR V2.1 and can give me exact printer size with controller on the side? I on website its says 400 x 410 x 400mm but Im guessing its only printer... (As i need to know for my stand platform, dont have much space)

Thank you again

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

I do not own one but  I would think 400 x 600 should do it place a drawer under the the printer to hold tools.
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

20

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Your Amazon link does not work. Also those dimensions is usually the foot print which will include objects that stick out from the sides.

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.

21

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

well I too would not recommend the Da vinci, despite that it is what I bought, But I did my research and the davinci was the nearest thing to plug and play for a reasonable price available in the UK. I went in knowing that filament would be more expensive, and all the other things. even though it claims to be plug and play you will need to calibrate it before use. the method recommended on this site with a sheet of paper works the best (far easier than the calibration built in which is totally counter intuitive).
I wanted a printer that I did not need to set up. as my skills lie in the field of CAD.
you pay more for the filament, but I weighed that off against wasting filament getting the temperatures and feed rates right.
there are places where you can purchase the filament cheaper- Amazon is one, and there are others, I can get a cartridge refill for about £23 - if I am not fussy over colour - for the more popular colours or if they dont have a refill, you could pay up to £30 for a cartridge.
recalibrate your print bed regularly, they do go out of calibration.
I am happy with the results I have got out of mine so far, but 30 years CAD Draughting experience certainly helps when creating the models.
I have the printer that uses ABS, and can safely say that a wash of acetone with some ABS dissolved into it really makes the parts stick well.
the Davinci printer has no controls you can really set up (that is all set up from the cartridge, so if you are not happy with what it kicks out, you cant tweak it.
For a basic machine it does what it promises, but no more, the software it comes with is basic.
I would only ever recommend this machine to someone who wants exactly what I did and has similar skills to create their own models.

22

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

carl_m1968 wrote:

Your Amazon link does not work. Also those dimensions is usually the foot print which will include objects that stick out from the sides.

Just to be on the safe side I made it slightly bigger, as Tim advised me. Fixed link too

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Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

Grendel wrote:

well I too would not recommend the Da vinci, despite that it is what I bought, But I did my research and the davinci was the nearest thing to plug and play for a reasonable price available in the UK. I went in knowing that filament would be more expensive, and all the other things. even though it claims to be plug and play you will need to calibrate it before use. the method recommended on this site with a sheet of paper works the best (far easier than the calibration built in which is totally counter intuitive).
I wanted a printer that I did not need to set up. as my skills lie in the field of CAD.
you pay more for the filament, but I weighed that off against wasting filament getting the temperatures and feed rates right.
there are places where you can purchase the filament cheaper- Amazon is one, and there are others, I can get a cartridge refill for about £23 - if I am not fussy over colour - for the more popular colours or if they dont have a refill, you could pay up to £30 for a cartridge.
recalibrate your print bed regularly, they do go out of calibration.
I am happy with the results I have got out of mine so far, but 30 years CAD Draughting experience certainly helps when creating the models.
I have the printer that uses ABS, and can safely say that a wash of acetone with some ABS dissolved into it really makes the parts stick well.
the Davinci printer has no controls you can really set up (that is all set up from the cartridge, so if you are not happy with what it kicks out, you cant tweak it.
For a basic machine it does what it promises, but no more, the software it comes with is basic.
I would only ever recommend this machine to someone who wants exactly what I did and has similar skills to create their own models.

Thanks Grendel ,

But I made my mind getting Duplicator, I liked DaVinci because of it design.
But now Im really looking forward to Duplicator

24

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

zion2285 wrote:

So guys Im doing my homework, and understanding a lot things can go wrong, I mean a lot, a lot.... And more questions coming to my mind....
With slicer I decided to use Cura (As for me it looked more user friendly and colorish) out of Repetier,MatterControl and slic3r.
First I downloaded latest version 2.5, but couldn't find any normal tutorial and specially printhead settings.
So I dowloaded 15.02.1 version from wanhao website(as it was recommended) and done settings by this tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDXo2GBmbtU&t=10s As I saw with latest cura you connect to printer directly, and older version is offline mode, you  slice your print and upload to sd card.
Will I miss a lot for using older version?

Next I started building stand for a printer, most likely it will be in my bedroom next to my main pc, as I understood from privan it will be very loud machine would it be possible to pause prints? I saw option to pause in cura to change filament. But does it possible to switch off completely? Im guessing not as everything cools down, and putting hot filament layer on the top of cold one....


One more thing filament , as I understand a lot depends what quality is it. What brands would you recommend? PLA of course for now.
I'm thinking to get this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B013IHX9EA/ … &psc=1

And again almost forgot to ask, maybe someone owns DUPLICATOR V2.1 and can give me exact printer size with controller on the side? I on website its says 400 x 410 x 400mm but Im guessing its only printer... (As i need to know for my stand platform, dont have much space)

Thank you again


Did you read any of the reviews on this. The filament seems good but there are multiple complaints about it not being wound well and getting tangled feeding or too much unrolling and tangling between the roll and printer. Seems people have to keep an eye on it or devise a method to keep it feeding correctly. Might not be a good brand for long prints.

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.

25

Re: First 3D printer, please help to choose :)

carl_m1968 wrote:

Did you read any of the reviews on this. The filament seems good but there are multiple complaints about it not being wound well and getting tangled feeding or too much unrolling and tangling between the roll and printer. Seems people have to keep an eye on it or devise a method to keep it feeding correctly. Might not be a good brand for long prints.

Sorry I didn't rephrased my self right. I did read reviews, I understand probably some issues with spool. But in general is it known brand? What would you will recommend ?