Author Topic: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?  (Read 1207 times)

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Offline Colonol Dekker

  • HLP is my mistress
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3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
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 ;)
Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
- Blue Planet: Battle Captains
-Battle of Neptune
-Between the Ashes 2
-Blue planet: Age of Aquarius
-FOTG?
-Inferno R1
-Ribos: The aftermath / -Retreat from Deneb
-Sol: A History
-TBP EACW teaser
-Earth Brakiri war
-TBP Fortune Hunters (I think?)
-TBP Relic
-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
-Vassagos Dirge
-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

Your friendly Orestes tactical controller.

Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
GO GO DEKKER RANGERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the Scooby Doo Model Appreciation Society
The only good Zod is a dead Zod
NEWGROUNDS COMEDY GOLD, UPDATED DAILY
http://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561198011784807.png

 
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?

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).



 

Offline Colonol Dekker

  • HLP is my mistress
  • Moderator
  • 213
  • Aken Tigh Dekker- you've probably heard me
    • My old squad sub-domain
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
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?
Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
- Blue Planet: Battle Captains
-Battle of Neptune
-Between the Ashes 2
-Blue planet: Age of Aquarius
-FOTG?
-Inferno R1
-Ribos: The aftermath / -Retreat from Deneb
-Sol: A History
-TBP EACW teaser
-Earth Brakiri war
-TBP Fortune Hunters (I think?)
-TBP Relic
-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
-Vassagos Dirge
-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

Your friendly Orestes tactical controller.

Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
GO GO DEKKER RANGERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the Scooby Doo Model Appreciation Society
The only good Zod is a dead Zod
NEWGROUNDS COMEDY GOLD, UPDATED DAILY
http://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561198011784807.png

 
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
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.

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.

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.


 

Offline Charismatic

  • also known as Ephili
  • 210
  • Pilot of the GTVA
    • EVO
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
:bump:
Lol no wonder nobody replied to my topic. I am not the only one who wants 3D Freespace ships.
:::PROUD VASUDAN RIGHTS SUPPORTER:::
M E M O R I A L :: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,46987.msg957350.html#new

"IIRC Windows is not Microsoft."

"(CENSORED) Galatea send more than two (CENSORED) fighters to escort your (CENSORED) three mile long (CENSORED), STUPID (CENSORED).  (CENSORED) YOU, YOU (CENSORED)!!!"

 

Offline Colonol Dekker

  • HLP is my mistress
  • Moderator
  • 213
  • Aken Tigh Dekker- you've probably heard me
    • My old squad sub-domain
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
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.
Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
- Blue Planet: Battle Captains
-Battle of Neptune
-Between the Ashes 2
-Blue planet: Age of Aquarius
-FOTG?
-Inferno R1
-Ribos: The aftermath / -Retreat from Deneb
-Sol: A History
-TBP EACW teaser
-Earth Brakiri war
-TBP Fortune Hunters (I think?)
-TBP Relic
-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
-Vassagos Dirge
-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

Your friendly Orestes tactical controller.

Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
GO GO DEKKER RANGERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the Scooby Doo Model Appreciation Society
The only good Zod is a dead Zod
NEWGROUNDS COMEDY GOLD, UPDATED DAILY
http://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561198011784807.png

 

Offline Charismatic

  • also known as Ephili
  • 210
  • Pilot of the GTVA
    • EVO
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
I think getting a 3D model would be relatively easy. Getting a spot on paint job... another. I would hate a all white model.
:::PROUD VASUDAN RIGHTS SUPPORTER:::
M E M O R I A L :: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,46987.msg957350.html#new

"IIRC Windows is not Microsoft."

"(CENSORED) Galatea send more than two (CENSORED) fighters to escort your (CENSORED) three mile long (CENSORED), STUPID (CENSORED).  (CENSORED) YOU, YOU (CENSORED)!!!"

 

Offline Colonol Dekker

  • HLP is my mistress
  • Moderator
  • 213
  • Aken Tigh Dekker- you've probably heard me
    • My old squad sub-domain
Re: 3d printers, are they worth it in 2019?
Primer,  pre-shade, base coat,  panel lines.   Top coat.  Detail.
Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
- Blue Planet: Battle Captains
-Battle of Neptune
-Between the Ashes 2
-Blue planet: Age of Aquarius
-FOTG?
-Inferno R1
-Ribos: The aftermath / -Retreat from Deneb
-Sol: A History
-TBP EACW teaser
-Earth Brakiri war
-TBP Fortune Hunters (I think?)
-TBP Relic
-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
-Vassagos Dirge
-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

Your friendly Orestes tactical controller.

Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
GO GO DEKKER RANGERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the Scooby Doo Model Appreciation Society
The only good Zod is a dead Zod
NEWGROUNDS COMEDY GOLD, UPDATED DAILY
http://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561198011784807.png