Also, below I’m including some things about myself you may want to know, but feel free to skim or skip this all together
I enjoy building things and want experience, so buying it as a kit may actually be preferable as long as doing so doesn’t sacrifice too much quality. I’m just starting out though, and have only a little bit of experience with soldering and only a few tools to work with, so complexity could become an issue if I do build it.
I don’t have a whole lot of money, but I’m thinking I may be able to go as high as $800-$1000, but lower is obviously better.
I’d prefer an enclosed build area, as I don’t want to worry about burning myself or a draft blowing in from my window or fan and ruining the print.
I don’t need a HUGE build area, but I’m considering making crude parts for custom nerf guns, model spaceships, etc, so I’m hoping for at least about 4-6 inches horizontally.
Shelf space is an issue too, but I think I can clear up a18-22 inch space for the device on my PC desk.
I’d be spending a lot of time on my PC right next to it, so if it’s really loud that could be a problem.
It gets pretty hot where I live, but I don’t know if that would affect things such as how fast the plastic hardens, etc.
(added after it came up with Jeremy’s post)
Transportation is an issue for me, so I’m mostly looking for completed printers or boxes of parts that I can order off the internet and have sent to my house.
Thanks guys, I appreciate any guidance you guys can give me on this ;D
… dont do makibox they ran out of funding as far as i know. if you like to build. @Tim_Rastall printer looks nice. you could inclose that printer fairly easy.
@Richard_Horne 's 3DR is a nice delta bot you could also inclose.
@Brook_Drumm has a nice line of printers you could build a case for and are fairly quiet.
However, I don’t quite understand the links you gave. Are these individual users who have come up with their own designs, and I would then go about buying or building all the parts myself?
If so, that’s a bit of a problem for me, as have transportation issues and was hoping to be able to get most of what I needed off the internet as a kit or at least a shopping list of parts to go order from various websites. Sorry, I probably should have mentioned that
Check out http://www.printbot.com - I highly recommend the PrintrBot Simple kit, with the XL build volume, the Maker option, and the metal upgrade. With the XL build volume upgrade, your build volume will approach 4"x8"x8" and should run you something like $500 all in - plus, you’ll have the benefit of building it yourself and so have a good understanding of the way they work. I started with a beta version of the original Simple, and have gone through two or three complete rebuilds, as well as a bunch of various upgrades, so I’m a little biased, but it’s a great little device.
@Patrick_Ryan hmm, I have heard good things about printrbot simple. BTW, I’m having a bit of trouble with their website, where’s the XL version you mentioned? I eventually found some by searching XL, but there are several and I’m not sure which you’re referring too
Also, is there any way to make it print ABS? I’ve heard that’s better, especially if you’re going to paint it after you print it.
I’ll throw in my recommendation for the PrintrBot Simple as well. I bought the all wood one and modified it quite a bit over time. The version and add-ons @Patrick_Ryan recommends sounds like a great combination. Generic build plate heaters are available in many sizes on the Internet, but you’d need to add a bigger or second power supply. Start with PLA and see how it goes from there.
(Patrick) oh ok, how do I do that? Is there a box to check when you order or something?
Also, the more I think about it I’m realizing I’m definitely going to want an enclosure on my printer, either by getting a design that includes one or building my own to add on. For conversation, are there any good printers you can build that are “boxed in” like the makerbot and the flashforge?
I can’t help you with boxing in your printer - haven’t done it myself, since I haven’t gone to ABS yet. PLA is more forgiving and there’s no need for an enclosure.
Oh, ok we’re talking about the wood version, that’s what was confusing me. You said “I highly recommend the PrintrBot Simple kit, with the XL build volume, the Maker option, and the metal upgrade” which I assumed meant the metal version. Is there some sort of metal after-market upgrade for the wooden simple?
Also, I’m starting to think I may not want my printer right next to my desktop in case I want to do a 5 hour print without it dancing in the corner of my vision. would making a simple wireless be as easy as buying a wireless usb relay?
