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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Colonol Dekker on February 07, 2019, 03:38:00 pm

Title: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on February 07, 2019, 03:38:00 pm

Hi all.

I recently started scratching my old modelling itch, dug out the airbrush and all that kit and threw a few gunpla together.  But I'm thinking I want a sub £200 3d peinter so i can bash out a few 3d models of my favourite Elite Dangerous ships and obviously Freespace fighters too....  maybe even the old style Orestes if I'm allowed.  ;)


Topic point coming up.....................now!

Do we have any subject matter experts residing here at HLP who can recommend or likewise warn me off one that may not be as glitzy and efficient as the blarb says.


I'm leaning towards ABS compatible but am definitely open to persuasion and education in this matter.


Build volume may seem important but I'm willing to learnt to slice and create a multi-part print for the bigger things ;)

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: TechnoD11 on February 07, 2019, 05:59:10 pm

Quote from: Colonol Dekker on February 07, 2019, 03:38:00 pm

Do we have any subject matter experts residing here at HLP who can recommend or likewise warn me off one that may not be as glitzy and efficient as the blarb says.

As a matter of fact, yes! I maintain my own printer(s) and have worked with professional grade gear as well.

Big first question - how much time/effort/energy are you looking to put into getting the printer set up? IE do you want a simple, plug it in and install software printer or something that you'll need to assemble, wire, solder, crimp, etc? From my own experience and those I have talked to, we have preferred the kit builds as you get a better idea of the workings of the printer and can better diagnose issues as they arise (although building can take time and could be costly if you make mistakes and need to buy replacement parts).

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on February 08, 2019, 02:55:03 am

I'm pretty confident I have the patience and dexterity to put one together and I'm not abhorred to doing the book time beforehand.   

I've already seen some on the market that can handle PLA and ABS but I don't see any reason to go for PLA aside from time and cost unless I'm missing something?

Are the pre-assembled printers lacking in the versatility department then?

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: TechnoD11 on February 09, 2019, 12:42:11 am

I personally run a custom P3Steel prusa i3, although sourcing all of your own parts and doing some custom fab work might be a bit too much for a first printer. I've heard from others that have gotten into the hobby that the Ender3 (available on amazon) is a decent starting printer that won't break the bank (assembly is required).

Your best bet would probably be to get one of these prusa kits (such as the Ender3) and then as a personal recommendation, put on a better nozzle. Whichever printer you go with, you'll want to figure out what kind of nozzle it uses - for example, mine uses the Mk8 0.4mm. The stock brass nozzles that ship with the vast majority of printers are not wear resistant. Thus, you'll want to fit something like this (the brand, micro-swiss, offers different configuration nozzles to match whichever nozzle your printer uses. Make sure you get the right one!): https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Swiss-HW-NOZ-MK8-04-Resistant-Nozzles-Makerbot/dp/B01BDL4MXA/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1549693745&sr=8-18&keywords=3d+printer+nozzle+nickel#customerReviews (https://www.amazon.com/Micro-Swiss-HW-NOZ-MK8-04-Resistant-Nozzles-Makerbot/dp/B01BDL4MXA/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1549693745&sr=8-18&keywords=3d+printer+nozzle+nickel#customerReviews).

Once you have this nozzle you can print with this filament https://www.amazon.com/ZIRO-Printer-Filament-Carbon-1-75mm/dp/B01IICFS4Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549694065&sr=8-3&keywords=carbon+fiber+PLA (https://www.amazon.com/ZIRO-Printer-Filament-Carbon-1-75mm/dp/B01IICFS4Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1549694065&sr=8-3&keywords=carbon+fiber+PLA).

Easily the best filament I have ever printed with. Finish is fantastic. Sticks well to a heated print bed at 80C coated with blue painter's tape.

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Charismatic on March 16, 2019, 07:21:35 pm

:bump:
Lol no wonder nobody replied to my topic. I am not the only one who wants 3D Freespace ships.

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on March 17, 2019, 06:03:45 am

I definitely do!  I want a few from a few games as it goes.    I've not made much headway into this due to the imminent birth of another child.    Funds have been reallocated due to OOW.

(Orders of wife.)


I keep waning to Google 3D  printing services but I'm not sure how reliable they can be.

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Charismatic on March 20, 2019, 06:12:17 pm

I think getting a 3D model would be relatively easy. Getting a spot on paint job... another. I would hate a all white model.

Title: Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Post by: Colonol Dekker on March 21, 2019, 12:56:23 am

Primer,  pre-shade, base coat,  panel lines.   Top coat.  Detail.