3 D printer

Discussion and comments.

I'm considering the purchase of a 3D printer this Christmas holiday. My son has one and he has made me several parts and pieces. Today he saved the day for me and a customer by making a special corner piece for a screen repair. He got me excited enough to look at the selection.

So what he has is a XYPrinter diVINCI jr. About $300. And he uses Tinkercad as his design tool. Looks fairly easy. I think even I can use it.

Anyway, there seems to be lots of choices in equipment and many types of plastics that go with them.

Anybody want to comment about them?

 

I am less concerned about the printer. For me it comes down to the software for generating the object. How are you with CAD?

If you do get one I order many things from Hobby King. They have a lot of 3D printers, supplies and filaments. Everything is from Asia but they have warehouses in the US so before clicking "buy" make sure the item you have selected is available from the US east or west warehouse so the shipping cost won't be crazy.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that Hobby King is a good place for consumables and accessories but I would be hesitant to get the printer from them. Their prices are good but their customer service is nonexistent.

 

I use to be draftsman many moons ago (Think Tee Square).


My son showed me TINKERCAD and it look reasonably easy. I never got involved with any CAD type program. I think I can handle this one.

 

What kind of budget are you looking at? I have a buddy that works for his brother in law that developed a multi-head 3D printer that they are now selling. They also distribute many types of filament from PLA and nGenflex, to special ones like wood and metal infused. I can send you a PM if you want.

 

Tolyn,

My son has the XYZPrinter diVINCI jr. About $300 or less. It seems to be able to do what I want.
I'm looking at an entry price in that range. I only want to make small parts and trinkets. I'm just getting interested in it and need to learn what is important. For instance what features are important? A heated base plate? Self adjusting as opposed to 3 axis adjusting knobs? Ability to use PLA and ABS plastic filament? And keep the cost low at an entry level. Over the next several weeks I'lldo some research.

 

Good thinking.... Santa (or Mrs Claus) is waiting.

 

I need another time suck tool/toy like a hole in the head, but am interested to hear what you choose and how you like it.....

 

Please keep us informed as to what printer you buy and how you like it!

 

Yes I will. But it's going to be long process.

 

For those interested in my selection of a 3D printer. I made a quick spreadsheet comparison (see link below) of those that interest me (main thing is under $300 range). I looked at reviews of many and they go all over the place. If a review is bad, it's very bad, and if a review is good, their very good. What to believe?

I'm partial to the XYZ Mini, since I've seen it in the flesh and my son has this one. So I know 1st hand what it's like. But it has limitations that others in the same price range don't have. One of the big questions that I can't seem to get answered (asked on several 3D forums) is if a heated bed-plate is a good or bad thing or to put it another way, what are the pros and cons of a heated bed plate? Also with other brands I can use multi type media, not just PLA. Some have plastic frames while others have extruded metal frames. Some are enclosed and others are open. Some are assembled while others are a built it kit. Very confusing! The problem is that I know nothing about this. And it seems experience is the only teacher at this point. That can be expensive.

Anybody want to add to the confusion?


https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...it?usp=sharing

 

I haven't had the chance to play with many 3D printers... but I'll throw out another suggestion just to complicate matters further...

If you're not really sure what printer you want and whether or not you need feature x or feature y, you can always send out your Tinkercad (or whatever other CAD program you use) to be printed and mailed to you.

It really depends what part of the process you consider the fun part. If the designing the piece is fun for you, but the maintenance, calibration, and setup of the printer is just a bore, you can send your CAD file to somewhere like Shapeways, iMaterialise or Sculpteo and they'll print it and send it to you. More expensive one-off, but likely cheaper than buying a higher quality printer, media, etc.

But I certainly don't want to dissuade anyone from a 3D printer if that's what they want... though you know like any new tech, whichever model you get, you'll always wish you bought the one up since it can do something more!

-Mike

 

I pretty much decided on the XYZ brand. But due to a family matter the whole project ha been put on hold.

 

Well, I was convinced by my wife, and two son's to buy my own 3D printer. I settled on the XYZ da Vince 1.0 Blue model. It handles both PLA and ABS plastic filament. It arrives Monday. Door bell rings and lo and behold it's Fed-Ex with my printer!

It was a deal I could not pass up. Buy 10 filament cartridges and get the printer free. That's an $835.00 value at a cost of $335.00. And these are not inflated prices. The printer if bought as a separate item, does in fact go for $499.00. This offer was only available via Facebook. Not even the XYZ web site offered this deal.

Now some might say that $335 for a 3D printer is an extravagant piece of machinery for an occasional part, even at the hobby level. Well due in part to borrowing my son's 3D printer (actually he did the design and printing), and making several screen corners, I was awarded a special award from work for customer service, dedication, "going above and beyond" expectations (their words not mine), and given a sizable monetary reward for my efforts. That paid for the printer and a nice amount to boot (I need a new phone).

Anyways, I'm ecstatic and ready to play with my new toy.


Side bar. My son (who had the recent stroke) told me to just keep his 3D printer. I felt like I was pirating his stuff, just because he could not use it. My other son said that normally he would tell me not to waste the money, but that in this instance he was sure I will find many things to make. Besides I will be using it for work. And my wife said, treat yourself, you earned it! That was all the incentive I needed.

 

Sounds like quite a deal. We'll be looking forward to progress reports.

 

Just an update to those who might be interested. Over the past several months I have made many 3D screen and door corners for customers who have brought in broken widows and doors. I have become known as "ScreenMan" among my fellow workers and considered a bit of a hero in the company because out of some 40 or so stores I'm the only one who not just re-screens screen, but actually repairs them.

All boasting aside, it has become an interesting side hobby. I predict 3D printing will become a typical household item in the near future. Similar to when personal computers first came out.

If anybody is ever interested, give a serious look at XYZ Printing. Their product may not be the best but price point and customer service is second to none in my eyes.

 

How are you creating the print files? Are you using existing files you find online or are you creating your own?

 

I'm not getting one til they can print out a perfect med rare ribeye, with baked potato, and corn on the cob. Can you say "replicator"?

 

"Tea, Earl Gray, Hot."

Norm - It sounds like you have entered into the world of 3D printing with flying colors! I know they are "just" screen corners, I would love to see some sample prints. Post some pictures!

I have been working on a part for my job similar to what you have been doing, although I do not have a printer and am having somebody print them for me. I have been using tinkercad to create my .stl files. It is a super easy and free modeling program. I recommend anybody who is interested in making parts on a 3D printer to try it. Also, I found a local 3d printer using 3dhubs.

 

PD,

I'm using one good factory corner (usually one out of the four corner is usable even if I have to glue it back together) as a template and I measure off of that good one using calipers and an accurate scale. I might add that I started to use inches, but soon realized that CM and mm is much more accurate and easier to measure with. But I'm not too good at it and it takes me time to make one usable piece. But I am getting better at it. The first few I had to lightly sand to fit correct, but the last few I've hit it just right.

Tolyn,

Tinkercad is in fact the CAD program I'm using. Only because my kid said that is what he used and I wanted to follow his lead. However, I have since found Sketchup. It is a real winner, free and much more flexible. But, alias I find myself always going to what I'm use to. I need to make myself use Sketchup

Here are some pics of the ones I've done so far. I keep one each of these in the store as a test specimen, and then make new ones as needed for repairs.

 

Those look really cool Norm. I'm glad your new printer is working out for you!

I've been considering one, but I worry it will be a novelty and eventually just find a corner in a closet. Though it's great that you have ongoing projects for yours.

Now you just need to look into a 3D scanner and do away with the manual measurements!

 

That was a primary concern also. But things like this will find a use. Plus it's a learning experience. But, yes if not for a particular reason I may not have bought it.

I have looked at scanners and they are not that far off in price. But I don't know how good they work. I'm told a makeshift scanner can be made with a digital camera and multiple shots at various angles.

 

Actually, I was hoping for some pictures of the real prints.

 

3 D printers really have come a long way since I first looked into them a few years ago. That being said though I am not in any particular business now and can't justify for myself the cost of a 3 D printer. I also think while they have improved there is still room for improvement. I also never have completely understood the metric system so it would be above my knowledge. I agree too I would like to see a picture of a finished project, I bet it will be fantastic!

 

OK, actual pics of the fabricated corners.

 

Very cool! I'm impressed

 

Very nice!
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