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Any advise for someone wanting to start 3d printing ? (lemmings.world)
submitted 2 years ago by to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
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I have never 3d printed anything before. These days I'm working on a small home automation project, and I will require some enclosures. So I thought why not buy a 3d printer ? That way I can also learn about 3d printing when I get some time.

Also please suggest an affordable 3d printer.

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[–] 11 points 2 years ago (2 children)

The initial cost of the printer is not going to be your biggest cost. You will also spend $$ on various small tools or even furniture, and more spools of filament than you expect!!

I picked a Prusa Mini because I do not want to tinker with the machine, I want to use it. Solid choice, it just works. Alternatives are definitely cheaper, but quality is often a coin flip.

Then I started using TinkerCad as editor, dead simple and fun to use, and I made many small things that way. It was only when I felt it was limiting me, that I started moving to other tools like Fusion360 and OnShape = much more powerful but also much, much harder to learn.

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago (1 child)

    Thanks, this fits my scenario. I’m interested in getting into 3d printing but have neither the time nor inclination for tinkering. I’d rather spend a little more if I can get right to printing

    Another question is whether size matters. If you got one called a “mini”, I guess they make bigger ones. At what point is it big enough for typical uses? Do you regret not getting bigger?

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  • [–] 3 points 2 years ago*

    Yes, check out Prusa's website to see the size difference. Generally, 3d printers look like a" car wash" with a column on each side and a carriage that moves between them. The Prusa Mini only has one column, so it takes up a lot less space on the desk / in the cabinet.

    The mini still has a respectable print volume of 18cm (cubed), most printers have 20cm. That can be a drawback because some ready-made models expect the print volume to be 20cm, so such models can't be printed on the Mini, or would have to be scaled down to fit. I have never had that situation though, so no, I do not regret this size.

    More importantly, the Mini is like 500 EUR which is a lot for a small printer, but a regular Prusa is at least 900 EUR so there's a significant savings involved. Speaking of prices, of course you can get a 100 dollar printer, but that's not going to be the "Mercedes Benz experience" which the Prusa certainly is.

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  • [–] 2 points 2 years ago

    The second you start to enjoy 3d printing you'll spend more on filament than the cost of the printer in the first year. This still adds up for a more expensive faster machine, youll just go trough the rolls quicker.

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