Hi guys. I have not had any 3d printer or any experience b4. I plan to get one.
What would u all recommend for budget first timer. I was looking for something around USD 400.
Printrbot - either the Play, or a Simple Kit. Personally, I like kits, because building it gives you a good understanding of how they work.
In terms of best beginner printer, I say go for the Printrbot play. Yes there are other printers that print larger for around the same money, but the play is great in an either kit or assembled version. Haven’t had the chance to get my hands on one personally yet but I have seen countless accounts of people loving it.
@Patrick_Ryan beat me to it haha.
@Griffin_Paquette I have a heavily modified Simple, that’s been completely rebuilt from the ground up at least three times, starting with the original version. I can now fix any problem with it in about two minutes flat, so I might be a bit biased, but I think it’s a helluva fine machine.
Can’t personally speak to the Play, but my brother just got one and tells me that it was up and running with essentially zero tweaking.
I just ordered one of these http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Upgraded-Quality-High-Precision-Reprap-Prusa-i3-3d-Printer-DIY-kit-with-2-Rolls-Filament-free/32342171432.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.1.Kal9M6&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201602_3_505_506_503_504_10034_10020_502_10001_10002_2020018_10017_10010_10005_10006_10011_10003_10021_10004_10022_10009_10008_10018_10019,searchweb201603_8&btsid=08e7d652-fc88-4099-8210-393695e23cff Last week, I asked them to swap the melzi board for a MKS Base and they said ok :), we’ll see when it comes in, Why did I purchase this? I like the Prusa type kits, this one is SS and metal, I like the overall setup of it. I spent weeks on looking what was out there in this price range was probably the best deal. My very close second pick was http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Big-area-with-Auto-leveling-feature-7-Material-High-Quality-Reprap-Prusa-i3-DIY-3d-Printer/32506432506.html?spm=2114.10010108.100009.2.9eDgTE <-- Don’t get any upgrade options they are way over priced, Like the Auto level, Tevo charges $50 and aliexpress charges $5. Just the basic kit is best, They have probably the best Facebook community, The people in the group love helping people, This kit comes with issues, like the heatbed etc, but the its easily upgraded. If you love to tinker its a fun kit to learn with. My next pick is http://folgertech.com/products/folger-tech-reprap-2020-prusa-i3-full-aluminum-3d-printer-kit They are durable, only real issue I’ve read about them is that they can use up bearings quickly. I’m also don’t really like the drive motors above the build. Well that’s my 3 picks, let us know which one you end up getting?
I’m going to sounds like the negative one, but my recommendation to anyone wanting to get into 3d printing is to outsource first and then learn about the do’s and don’ts and then see if it’s worth buying a printer. In my experience there are very little printers that can print anything.
Wow now it start to sound complicated. Hahaha… Another thing is that I have no experience in 3d drawing. Only some experience with 2d AutoCAD. What if I wanna duplicate a spare parts do I have to draw it from scratch or can scan it n print?
There are 3D scanners and Some more expensive 3D printers can scan. This is a scanner kit, it comes with most of the parts, some you have to print off. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Reprap-3d-Open-source-DIY-BQ-Ciclop-3d-scanner-kit-without-printed-parts-for-3d-printer/32508181837.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.10.8WhLlH&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201602_3_505_506_503_504_10034_10032_10020_502_10001_10002_10017_10010_10005_10006_10011_10003_10021_10004_10022_10009_10008_10018_10019,searchweb201603_8&btsid=dc4fabe6-c9cc-4abe-91b6-5341905690c8
This is another scanner, a lot more expensive http://store.makerbot.com/digitizer
@Jeff_Dewe The one u recomended seems to be a good buy.
well tommy I spent a few hundred hours researching the latest entry level printers and those stood out. Most say to stay away from acrylic frames. These frames are the key point. Just about everything else can be replaced or upgraded. Like changing the board, heatbed, hot end, power supply etc. 3D printers are a addictive hobby. What you start with today, will probably look a lot different in 6 months. 
I keep thinking about the Tevo, Out of the three it needs the most upgrading, but the community is great and I like to tinker with things, I’m starting to think I should of went with that one. My main goal is to build one from scratch, but I needed some printed parts and on ebay they were like $60 plus shipping. So It made sense to buy one.
@Jeff_Dewe What i’m looking for is a easy to learn n operate. The reason im getting one is to print broken parts of my sons toys, my drone parts n the most important house hold equipments or car parts that broke can be fabricated myself instead spending so much to buy such a simple plastic parts.
The most frustrating part is sometime u cant buy the part n u have to throw away the whole thing away as gluing will not be strong enough
Yes I agree with you 100%, I’m learning because I want to print a tweeter mounting plate for my vintage speakers.
Maker Select. Metal frame, can ‘hotrod’ pretty easily.
@Jeff_Dewe How is the performance of the 3d printer tat u got the other day?
Well I’m still new to printing, but it heats up quickly, The quality of the prints is better than most new users post. I’m impressed with it and the quality of parts compared to other starter kits.
@Jeff_Dewe I got my kit too. how to find the setup manual for it? thanks
oh sorry it is inside the memory card