I am going to try to build my first 3D printer over the summer. Should I use a kit or is building it from scratch a better idea? Are there any other things I should be aware of? I have some experience with 3D printers, but I’ve never built one by myself.
I would say a kit, there are some good kits out there in the $250-400 USD range that will contain all that you need, and will teach you about design and function. You can then tweak settings, and print your upgrades.
Then like me, you will need another printer to print the upgrades while the first printer is in pieces, then a third to print the upgrades for the second…oh wait, then youll need a delta printer for tall prints.
If your married, youll need to figure out a way to get these in the house without raising suspicion. Thats how it all starts…
TL;DR Kit gets you started quicker but self-sourced build might be cheaper.
It depends whether you feel comfortable with buying parts for a scratch build. There are designs out there with Bill of Materials but you will be generating a lot of orders.
You might save some money doing it yourself but a kit will have all that procurement done for you so you can get on with the build right away and a kit will contain parts that might be difficult to source locally.
With Chinese i3 kits are going for as low as $250 anymore, it’s hard to justify trying to source or make your own parts at this point.
I’d say buy the kit for the first printer, and then if you really want to, start printing upgrade parts or the parts for a whole new machine.
@Tom_Nardi My concern with Chinese kits is the quality of the materials and parts used.
If you source the parts yourself then you make the decision on part quality vs. cost.
Of course a high quality (branded) kit like a genuine Prusa i3 Mk2 should not present this concern.
I would like to keep it as cheap as possible and self-sourcing parts seems best so far. I just wanted to know if the extra money was worth it for a kit.
If metric hardware is sourced easily for you then that’s a major barrier removed.
The only other concern is whether printed parts are needed and if you can print them youself or buy them elsewhere.
I was 15 when I built my first printer. It was a reprap smartrap and I self sourced all the parts. All I can say is that you cannot put a price on how much you learn from building something. If you are up for it self source. The knowledge you will gain being able to choose your own parts/ configure how you want, and then put it all together is awesome. Kits aren’t bad but if you’re up for the challenge a self sourced machine is much more rewarding in my opinion
@PrintinAddiction I can identify with that…10 printers later and still adding. Wait, that makes me a 3D Hoarder!!
The worst is having 3 printers and currently none are working… Though one is a cobblebot (cobblecrap), so I think that one doesnt count…
Hah, at one point I had all 5 down and had to repair one to get the others working…lol
@Mark_Rehorst
I disagree, both options are valid…
I purchased a FolgerTech Prusa I3, and was printing within 2 days from receiving the kit. I have added many upgrades, and replaced a few parts (bowden extruder, hot end, adjustable belt tensioners).
It has taught me a great deal about the different configurations, hardware, firmware and the software involved for 3D printing. I have had some great results with this printer and it was less than $300 for the original kit.
I agree that there is more up front investigation when building one from scratch, but you will learn as much from a kit (except maybe which place has the cheapest parts, best quality, etc…)
Don’t get a Chinese kit. They are the quickest way for you to hate 3d printing.
Look at toms reviews
I would say it boils down to:
Kit Build - Parts and configurations already thought out, just assemble, configure and start learning / printing / tweaking.
Self Sourced - Research what is needed, research vendors price and quality, research firmware settings, steps for each axis, endstops, etc…start printing, tweaking…
I think you will arrive at the same destination with either, its just a matter of how soon you want to be printing…as cost seems to be a big factor you will most likely be sourcing components with the same quality as what is in the kit.
I have essentially forever, I don’t need it ASAP or anything, just doing it as a summer project to stave off the boredom.
in my opinion. a kit is hardly any more expensive then self sourcing. you get all the parts to build a printer. get a known good printer with issues. I suggest the folgertech 2020 i3 if you are in the states. the price cant be beat. avoid the tevo. has major issues and after sales support is crappy. learn the ins and outs of printing. at that point self source or buy a more expensive printer.
if you have a larger budget then id suggest getting the makerfarm pegasus. another great kit and for the price and quality. cant be beat. colin offers great after sales support and has been known to answer questions very late in the day like midnight and on weekends.
then there are printers that just print which are the printrbot play. the wanhao is close to being a good printer out of the box. you can get it on monoprice but id just buy it from wanhao usa.