3d Printer

[eborraga]

I’m looking to purchase a printer for personal use. What would you guys suggest?.

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Edited June 7, 2022 by eborraga

[Oldmopars]

There are several factors you need to think about, because they effect each other. 

First is size, second is budget. How big will you want to print? Volume is how 3D printers are sold. The larger the print area, the bigger the price.  

Do you want to just print car parts? Small volume will be fine. Do you want to print full car bodies at a low angle? You will need a larger print area. Do you get into other stuff like figurines? Want to print a 9in tall Batman or Manalorian? You need a big printer. 

Phrozen, Elegoo, Anycubic are all good printers. Like Ford or Chevy or Toyota, everyone will have an opinion, do you research and check reviews. It's not a small investment,  do your research. 

Also, decided if you need a 4K, 6K, 8k. If you don't know what that means, research it. Definitely get a Mono, don't go LCD. Lots of reasons why, again, research. 

If I were to go out and buy another one today, I would get an Elegoo Saturn 2. 8K, huge build volume, great machine. However this is a $550 machine. I love my Saturn S and would buy another. But this is what works for ME, you need to know what will work for you. 

As a side note, avoid the Creality printers, they require you to use their software to slice. Printers that I have listed can use Chitubox or Lychee. One step. Easy. I like Lychee, others like Chitubox. Buy a printer that allows you to use either one. Then you get to chose. 

Once you know more, feel free to ask more specific questions. 

[Oldmopars]

One more thing, at a hobby level all of these printers will work fine. Don't let people tell you that you need some $1500+ printer to print off a few parts at home. 

A very professional and prominent 3D printer that receives excellent reviews uses the printers listed above and he prints large volumes with excellent results. 

So, at a hobby level these will all exceed your needs and perform beyond your expectations. 

Now, let us know your volume requirements and budget. 

Edited June 7, 2022 by Oldmopars

[iamsuperdan]

If you're just starting out, you can get a full set up for well under $500 US.

 

I went with an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro, plus an Elegoo Mercury wash & cure station, plus a couple of bottles of resin, for $500 CDN. I found it all on Amazon and it was at my door with two days of ordering.

I use Chitubox software, which is free, for setting up my prints.

I source files for print mainly from Cults3d.com, with most of my purchases ranging from free to around $25 CDN.

Wheels, engines, seats, body parts, suspension parts, full kits. It's all out there and easy to get started with.

 

You could spend more, but when starting out, why?

 

[stinkybritches]

12 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

 

As a side note, avoid the Creality printers, they require you to use their software to slice. Printers that I have listed can use Chitubox or Lychee. One step. Easy. I like Lychee, others like Chitubox. Buy a printer that allows you to use either one. Then you get to chose. 

Once you know more, feel free to ask more specific questions. 

That's not 100% true. Lychee can be used as the slicer for all Creality Halot printers. I haven't tried Chitubox for my Halot One. Creality's Halot Box slicer works extremely well for Halot machines. I actually like it better than Lychee for what I do.

Edited June 7, 2022 by stinkybritches
More info

[Jiml0001]

I bought a Phrozon Mini about a year and a half ago and have never had so much fun.   Every thing said above is true,,the different brands aren't that much different.

The big thing I would mention is resin.    I use water washable resin and love it.   No smell to worry about and you wash up with water.   My hobby area is in my bedroom so the lack of odor is important.   Also, the Phrozon is very quiet.   I can start a job and go to bed without noise being an issue.   I'm sure the other brands are also quiet but ask around.   Some of these print jobs take hours so the less noise the better. 

I can't believe the accuracy you can print with.   I have distributors with all 9 holes in them that are less than 4 millimeters in diameter.   I have some 4bbl carbs that are unbelievably accurate and I have some wire wheels where the spokes are almost hair like.   A lot of fun.

I am not a CAD drawer so I search the web for drawings I can use or modify.   I use MeshMixer to edit drawings and can make simple things from scratch.   I also use ChituBox slicer and it works great.   If anyone wants to try any of my drawings just let me know, I'm glad to share with other modelers.

Have Fun!

Edited June 8, 2022 by Jiml0001

[MeatMan]

Me, I got the Anycubic Photon Zero when they were on clearance for $99. Its a small print bed and good only for parts but you can also print bodies like the Anglia, or a Model T tub.

I'd go with the best resolution I could pay for if it were me doing it again, but I'm not unhappy with what I got.

Like Scott indicated, research a bit, but don't get too bogged down. Good luck.