cheap 3D printer

[reuben_j_cogburn]

Anyone have any experience with the budget priced "creality ender", 3D printers?
I have a lot of idea's for stuff, and a lot of parts that I could replicate that are broken on my gear etc.....
Just curious if I should look into something like this.....

 

[Kevin]

Sorry, I haven’t heard of that brand. I know it’s really popular to build your own 3D printer. From what I understand they aren’t difficult to build.

I guess the thing to look for with this brand is, what software do they use to slice the model? And can the parts be upgraded when they start to go bad. (Not if, but when….as over time they will all start to go bad.) for example I had to buy a new print bed for my 3D printer. It’s nicer though than the old one at least.

Good luck with everything!!!

 

[carvertim]

I have an Ender, they have a bit of a learning curve, but once you figure out the layers and the settings it works great. I use it mostly in my other hobby, model railroading, but have designed and printed several useful gadgets. Definitely worth the price. One warning, the spools of filament tend to soak up ambient moisture and become brittle or pop when used to print, so make sure to vacuum seal them if in a humid climate.

 

[Kevin]

One warning, the spools of filament tend to soak up ambient moisture and become brittle or pop when used to print, so make sure to vacuum seal them if in a humid climate.

PLA is the most forgiving filament to use. But yes, carvertim is correct, I’ve got 7 or 8 half used spools of PLA and they’ve all gone bad just sitting on the shelf because of humidity.

 

[reuben_j_cogburn]

Thanks for all the input. I would never have thought that I would be interested in a 3D printer... Giving the way I live my life.. But then again... I have a lot of, "stuff", that could be repaired properly. The parts I can't get, and idea's for stuff...
On the other hand, I haven't really had time to look further into them yet, and quite honestly, I don't know if my laptops have the snort to run any of the software.. It sounds as though that might be the biggest issue...
I'll be looking into it further this winter... while it is DARK out...
Thanks again...

 

[carvertim]

The software is really not that memory intensive, unless you get into some of the larger CAD programs. But there are several free software packages that work well in designing parts, and work on the majority of computers. Not if you want to talk 3d scanning and photogrammetry, you have to have top of the line equipment, but most of us don't go there. BTW Kevin, you can dry out filament that has absorbed moisture, in either an oven or a modified food dehydrator.

 

[g5m]

I certainly have a lot of respect for you fellows.

 

[Fox Mike]

I know little about them but I saw some for under $200.00.