anybody into 3D printing, recommendations?

[holden j caufield]

I've used a small makerbot and so far it has some rough things to work out. Are there other 3D systems etc. that you recommend.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

What's wrong with it?

From what I've read, most not-to-expensive 3D printers require a lot of tweaking and dialing in before they give good, reliable, accurate results.

 

[Kaido]

My recommendation? Use Shapeways instead of investing in a machine:

http://www.shapeways.com/

You get access to a crazy amount of materials (everything from plastic to sandstone to metal to casting wax) & don't have to buy (or fix) your own machine. Not as cool as owning your own machine & printing out whatever you want, but pretty economical compared to buying a machine, plastic spools, etc.

 

[holden j caufield]

I've used the mini and the price point it's ok. I think it's one of the lowest priced items in the market so I can't expect the world of it. What can be printed is really small and the end product has a lot of imperfections, is not smooth etc.

 

[crashtestdummy]

What are you going to be able to make with it? Is this just a toy to make fancy paperweights, or are you hoping to do something useful?

 

[holden j caufield]

I wanted to make physical tangible things that have some use. Designing something is kind of whatever, seeing it in physical form is interesting, seeing it in physical form and working in some application is very exciting. Right now it's a hobby but I feel it's got a ton of potential and I'd like to gain another skill. Like someone said it's just paperweights now.

I'd like to build something and figure out through trial and error.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

slightly off topic but they have spools of the makerbot filament on sale for 20 - $25 at microcenter.

also, if you're in la you can 3d print at staples.
http://www.staples.com/3D-Printing/cat_DP8294

 

[NutBucket]

I've got a good amount of seat time with a Replicator2. It's a pretty solid machine but it is definitely not intended for those with no technical ability. I've had to troubleshoot it a few times. I've pulled apart the print head many times to clear broken filaments (before the root cause was found/fixed).

Makerbot CS is pretty good and will usually send out replacement parts when the fail.

 

[cyclohexane]

wait. solidworks 2015 will have built in 3d printer support - by then the printers will also be better

 

[NutBucket]

You're assuming the OP has SW? And what does that "support" mean exactly? SW works fine for me as-is?

 

[cyclohexane]

You're assuming the OP has SW? And what does that "support" mean exactly? SW works fine for me as-is?

supposed to have native support (in windows 8) for drivers of many commercial 3d printers.

 

[crashtestdummy]

I wanted to make physical tangible things that have some use. Designing something is kind of whatever, seeing it in physical form is interesting, seeing it in physical form and working in some application is very exciting. Right now it's a hobby but I feel it's got a ton of potential and I'd like to gain another skill. Like someone said it's just paperweights now.

I'd like to build something and figure out through trial and error.

Unless you've got an idea for something that actually requires printing, I probably wouldn't bother. There really isn't that much in the way of "useful" objects that a MakerBot-style printer can really create, unless you just want visual models of stuff. If your goal is really utility, you'd be better off learning some machining skills.

 

[Merad]

most basically all not-to-expensive consumer-level 3D printers require a lot of tweaking and dialing in before they give good, reliable, accurate results as part of normal operation and maintenance.

FTFY.

3d printers are cool and have a lot of potential... but they aren't really ready for the mainstream. I've been running a printer at my university, and while we've done some cool and useful things with it, I probably wouldn't bother to have one at home quite yet.

 

[Howard]

I used a few 3D Systems units and they were garbage.

 

[TheSlamma]

All the "glue gun" style ones suck, the only decent ones are the high end manufacturing ones, there is some great youtube vids on the big units.

 

[lupi]

lightweight indestructible counters for my games has me waiting for these things to get cheap and available everywhere.

 

[Leros]

The Rostock Max v2 is the kit to get these days. Great print quality and large volume for a good price. http://seemecnc.com/products/rostock-max-complete-kit

If you want something cheaper, get a Printrbot metal.

 

[Kaido]

I wanted to make physical tangible things that have some use. Designing something is kind of whatever, seeing it in physical form is interesting, seeing it in physical form and working in some application is very exciting. Right now it's a hobby but I feel it's got a ton of potential and I'd like to gain another skill. Like someone said it's just paperweights now.

I'd like to build something and figure out through trial and error.

Unless you've got an idea for something that actually requires printing, I probably wouldn't bother. There really isn't that much in the way of "useful" objects that a MakerBot-style printer can really create, unless you just want visual models of stuff. If your goal is really utility, you'd be better off learning some machining skills.

Honestly, despite my suggestion of only using Shapeways or a similar service exclusively, having a 3D printer as a toy to tinker with on your desk is pretty dang cool. The guy at my local cable & parts store has one & he always has it cooking something up - giant intricate chess pieces, crazy shapes you can't make without additive manufacturing, etc. It's just plain fun to watch & cool to screw around with. If I had $500 of play money to throw away, I'd probably pick up a basic one just to mess with. Not really useful for practical reasons, but people spend more on Xbox systems for entertainment, so whatever floats your boat!

 

[GoSharks]

supposed to have native support (in windows 8) for drivers of many commercial 3d printers.

So what? That only cuts down on two steps that I currently do and doesn't actually provide new functionality.

1. Export as .stl from Solidworks.
2. Import .stl into the program that currently controls my printer.

 

[rockyct]

FTFY.

3d printers are cool and have a lot of potential... but they aren't really ready for the mainstream. I've been running a printer at my university, and while we've done some cool and useful things with it, I probably wouldn't bother to have one at home quite yet.

Yeah, it's the kind of thing that I want but would have no practical use for currently. If I needed a few objects, the downtown library supposedly has one for use.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

i saw this neat little project

http://imgur.com/a/gWKld