3D printers - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2017, 07:34:09 pm
content: I'm looking at getting my first 3D printer, mostly planning on making custom electronics enclosures, (non precision) mechanical parts, and other odds and ends often found in DIY projects.At the low end, I'm considering the BIQU Magician or one of the Monoprice printers. While cheap at $200-300, they have the disadvantage of limited print size. (Even cheaper kits exist but from what I have read, actually getting a working printer out of one of those can be difficult for a beginner.) Therefore, I'm considering spending a little more for the Creality CR-10, which seems to have the biggest print size of any printer in its price range. Fry's has a Flashforge Creator Pro with dual extruders on sale for about $550. Is it that much better than the CR-10 to make it worth getting despite the somewhat smaller print size and a little higher price?

author: sn4k3
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2017, 11:44:18 pm
content: CR-10 is very good for it price and build quality but go for original Prusa MK3, it's the best you can buy for the price, much better than other expensives out there

author: stmdude
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 10:23:31 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on December 26, 2017, 07:34:09 pmThe FFCP is a different kind of printer, as in, it's enclosed, which helps when printing certain materials such as ABS. Also, it's a dual-extruder, which is convenient when printing complex designs (water soluble support material in one nozzle, and regular material in the other).The CR10 is an okay printer when it works. Unfortunately, their QC seems a bit hit-and-miss, so...The Monoprice printers are good for their price, and after a few simple upgrades (most of which you can print yourself), will go toe-to-toe with much more expensive printers. If you get any version except the "Plus" version, you _need_ to do the "MOSFET mod" though. The MOSFET for the heated bed has too high RDSon, and not enough cooling, so it will fail unless you replace/upgrade it.The Prusas are a very safe bet, providing good print quality, speed and support. They are quite a bit more expensive than the Monoprice and CR10s though.There's a good up-to-date thread on Reddit with tons of recommendations to be found here:https://www.reddit.com/r/3Dprinting/comments/7h3xoz/3d_printing_purchase_recommendations_what_printer/

author: kPATm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 07:19:38 pm
content: I have a Malyan M200 ( The original Monoprice MP Select Mini) its a cracking little printer for the money. I payed about £220 this time last year. I would definitely get a printer with a larger print bed IF I was buying again. The CR10 looks like a great printer for the money and the Prusa Mk3 looks to be very good but it is pricey. With most printers there will be mods that can/need to be made to get the best out of them. The good thing about that is you use your 3d printer to upgrade your 3d printer.If I had the money I would probably go for a Prusa but as it is the CR10 looks like a winner although it is over £400 so not exactly cheap either

author: Technobabble_
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 02:07:36 am
content: To add to the FFCP, it is a clone of older Makerbots, which use a Mightyboard and the .X3G file format, instead of .gcode. What's nice about printers that use straight-up gcode is that you can type commands directly to the printer like in a terminal session for jogging the extruder, troubleshooting, etc. Obviously you can do all those things with the UI, but I find gcode more versatile and easier to use. Additionally, you can write 3D print files line-by-line, whereas with Mightyboard-controlled printers you have to run it through a converter first.

author: jasonbrent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 05:38:06 am
content: Highly recommend the cr10. Easily modded. Large build volume. Good support group. Open source firmware. Low price point.The Monoprice units may be good, but firmware isn't open as best I can tell.Prusa is known to be "good", but I haven't personally received mine yet.I have a it-was-cr-10 (lots of mods since i got it and it's been printing pretty much non-stop since I first received it. My Monoprice mp delta arrived today, but I haven't tried it yet.... and my prusa mk3 arrives in late February.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 06:24:32 am
content: Ended up going for the MK3 even though there's a long lead time. The CR-10(s) with all the mods I would want ends up costing almost as much as a MK3, might as well start out with something that would be easy to get working with few upgrades needed.And from what I have read, those who start with a $200 Monoprice special often do end up buying a higher end printer not too long afterwards.

author: jasonbrent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 06:28:23 am
content: Quote from: NiHaoMike on January 16, 2018, 06:24:32 amIndeed... I can believe this... the Monoprice unit might get sent back after a test print... it was an impulse purchase when briefly on their website.I like my cr10... but at this point it probably is closer to an mk3 in cost....at the same time, I have learned a lot modding it. Looking forward to the mk3 though. Ordered first week in December.. so expecting mine late February since I bundled the MMU.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

author: nidlaX
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 12:19:30 pm
content: I know Marco really likes the Cetus 3D, and it would be my choice as well for a printer in the $300 - $400 price range.

author: jasonbrent
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 12:41:10 pm
content: Quote from: nidlaX on January 16, 2018, 12:19:30 pmLinear rails is a mod I would like to do in my it-was-cr-10. ... but I bought the cr10 on a whim and knew nothing about 3d printing then. That's my excuse anyway.Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

author: kPATm
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2018, 08:53:09 pm
content: I really like the look of the Tronxy X5s. Its a kit but that is a huge build area for the price. Its actuall also a huge printer but I could live with that. Im seriously tempted but I couldnt hide that purchase from the Mrs :-(