Hey
I don’t have a 3d printer
How much is it?? $$$$
Is it worth it ?
That depends. How DIY are you? Lowest cost DIY is around $450 for a RepRap or similar. From there up to about $1k you get incremental improvements. Next step is the MakerBot types at around $2-5k… At 5k you start to see stereo lithography types.
If you are willing to wait and accept some risk, kickstarter often has good deals…
3d printers are great to learn about robotics and cnc controls. I have a few questions for you to answer…ok?
- Do you like to learn and read?
2.do you like to make stuff?
3.do you mind spending a bit of money?
4.do you have a purpose to buy a 3d printer. Like a product you like too sell?
We if you say YES too all the above . Then by all means get one. BUT do your research on 3d printers. Exspensive printers are not always the best. And watch a lot of youtube videos to educate yourself. Peace
I’m just starting out as well and my plan is to buy a RepRap kit to start with. The idea is that I’m willing to spend $500 to get into the hobby and if I like it (and have the time to tinker) then I can spend more money when I need, as I need.
My hope, is that as time goes on the open hardware models like RepRap will allow us to incrementally upgrade the printer without having to shell out 5k at once.
Between $400-$10000.
It is like owning a drill, or a saw. If you own one, you will not be magically making the world. You need to know how to use it, and what you want to print. So the real question is “is it worth it to @Armando_Valladares ?”
There are easy ways to find out. Page though thingiverse and youmagine. Look for things you want to print. Download them and run them through slic3r or cura. You will see how long it will take to print. And ask yourself is this print worth it.
Second make something and get it printed from some place like shapeways or Imaterialize. This will cost more but you will know if you want a personal printer
Don’t buy a printer just to have a printer. Figure out if it is good for you
I have heard of kits and finished printers for as low as $300. You can buy them in office and electronics stores anymore. The question is how big do you want it. You could salvage parts from broken desktop printers and such and make a printer for maybe under $100. Printrbot Simple is one of the lower priced ones advertised from time to time in the community.
@NathanielStenzel a garbage kit (at $300 most are) is the worst option for a new user.
And the printer salvage method doesn’t work for printers newer than ~2000. They switched to really garbage motors with a feedback loop. check @Thomas_Sanladerer video on sacrificing printers to make a 3d printer.
Or try to build a Cherry 3d using the low torque motors? It won’t be 60€ (in the USA the linear rods are expensive) but you can build it for far less than a Chinese kit. Although the quality will be horrible and the output is slow.
If you want just a few items, maker spaces, a library near you or 3D hubs might be a possibility.
It costs about $300 in Barnes n’ Nobles.