1 Topic by TeleBlaster

  • TeleBlaster
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-03-12
  • Posts: 11

Topic: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

Hi, my name's Michael.  I own a small firearms accessory manufacturing company in Tampa. 

For the past couple of years, I've been watching developments in the consumer-level 3D printer with a great degree of excitement and interest.

I decided to finally take the plunge and get one for home prototyping.  While the RepRap printers (especially the MendelMax 2) look particularly interesting, I just don't have the bandwidth to take on that kind of project.  I decided to get a plug and play, and I'm leaning towards the Solidoodle.  I came here to find out more.

2 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
  • Posts: 1,429

Re: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

None of the home 3d printers are what I would consider plug and play yet, but the solidoodle is about as good as most at a price point that's hard to beat.  Take the plunge if you run into any trouble there are many here thatwill help you out.

What do you want to know?

3 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: PNW
  • Registered: 2012-10-28
  • Posts: 1,723

Re: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

Hi Michael, Welcome to the forum smile

The SD printer is definitely a great bang for the buck value, with that said all of the printers in this class are pretty similar for features, specs and how they work. While it is 'plug-n-play' don't take that too literally as there are lots of variables in the technology of 3d printing and depending on your planned use may require a certain amount of experimenting. Don't hesitate to look around and ask questions as there are plenty of very knowledgeable people on here to help.

4 Reply by TeleBlaster

  • TeleBlaster
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-03-12
  • Posts: 11

Re: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

I use "plug and play" in contrast to some of the kits, which also looked very interesting but more than I was prepared to delve into at this time.

At this time, I don't have any specific questions.  I'm at the stage of starting to where to learn to know what it is that I don't know.  You know?

I'm going to start with searching older posts so I don't pester you folks with dumb questions.  I can see already that Soliforum (and the IRC channel) is a great community and I'll try to be respectful of your time.

Thanks.

5 Reply by jjcuff1

  • jjcuff1
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-10-18
  • Posts: 253

Re: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

Hi Mike I am in Tampa and have my SD2. I do love it BUT it has not been very reliable I am working through some alignment issues, random Y skips, board locks up and now extruder seems to overheat as well as use glass since my aluminum bed is toally warped over .2mm across the middle which makes it impossible to use for large parts

Now it is great and when i get it to work it makes great parts and SD has been supportive. i hope to fix it this week or send it back for repairs.

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

6 Reply by solijohn

  • solijohn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2012-08-07
  • Posts: 1,465

Re: Hello From Sunny/Rainy/Sunny Tampa, FL

TeleBlaster wrote:

Hi, my name's Michael.  I own a small firearms accessory manufacturing company in Tampa. 

For the past couple of years, I've been watching developments in the consumer-level 3D printer with a great degree of excitement and interest.

I decided to finally take the plunge and get one for home prototyping.  While the RepRap printers (especially the MendelMax 2) look particularly interesting, I just don't have the bandwidth to take on that kind of project.  I decided to get a plug and play, and I'm leaning towards the Solidoodle.  I came here to find out more.

Welcome, I am from Tampa myself.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.