I am interested in building my own printing machine and would like to know

3D Printing
, , , ,
1

I am interested in building my own printing machine and would like to know how to get started with practical know how. Please tell a self starter just what to get?

2

get a cheap kit, what you learn from building it, is priceless. Then you get a better understand of the workings. I wanted to do the same thing as you, Then I weighed up the learning curve, my next printer will be a 100% DIY

3

I own this one, its cheap and its pretty good quality, a lot better than the cheap acrylics. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/full-Metal-Reprap-Prusa-i3-3d-Printer-DIY-kit-Stainless-Steel-Easy-Installation-2-Roll-Filament/32586716087.html

4

Thanks Jeff! I appreciate your info on that.

5

This one looks interesting, I could see a few possible upgrades, but for a starter, It looks like it has a good base http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2016-Full-Metal-High-Precision-3D-Printer-Prusa-i3-Aluminium-Hotbed-Filament-8GB-SD-Card-Reprap/32671798068.html?spm=2114.30010208.3.103.7uOuck&s=p&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_0,searchweb201602_1_10017_10021_507_10022_10020_401_10018_10019_101,searchweb201603_6&btsid=aa3e2a7f-072b-4487-b921-6e1c5e47e3c3

6

This is the kit i got to start, it has a good support group and there is no end to the amount of upgrades you can do!

7

The Printer David Sexton posted is also another very good Printer, Great reviews on it. It also has a great group on Facebook.

8

http://wanhaousa.com/products/duplicator-i3-steel-frame is another good print, a bit higher on the price scale but it does have many good reviews, Its not the easiest to upgrade, well the hotend is easy. :slight_smile:

9

@Aric_Norine I’d have to say right now both are the same. However, piecing stuff together (like I had to do with my MakerFarm Air2) is best of both worlds. It was cheap (at the time) and I had most of a kit while I learned about other parts (especially rods and bearings) along the way.
But in terms of building from scratch-ish, I’d suggest something like a Mendel90.
If they want to go closer to RepStrap, then get the scrap linear frames (and steppers) from ‘Tony’ on eBay.