I need some advice before I jump the gun on this...

3D Printing
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I need some advice before I jump the gun on this… I am having a hard time deciding which route to take in my 3D printing endeavors. My budget is limited (<$300 initially, then ~$30/mo) but I’m an automation/equipment technician so I don’t mind taking on a project… Should I:

  1. Buy a complete kit (QU-BD Two Up or Printrbot Simple), then slowly build something bigger/better.
  2. Have Prusa i3 parts printed locally, eBay/DIY the rest.
  3. Build a delta (similar to RepRap “Cossel”)
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@Laird_Popkin1 What is incomplete about it?

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I have to recommend the Printrbot Simple. Then you can upgrade it with the XL bed. Gives you a good hands-on building experience.

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If you’re interested in the machine itself (as opposed to just the output) I’d recommend getting the printed parts and building one yourself. It sounds like you have the skills, so if you have the interest the result will be a superior-performing machine for less money that you can customize and improve to do the things you think are most important best (as opposed to a machine that is average across the board ).

If you just want to print, get the simple :). You can always print something else if you outgrow it…

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I was in the same boat and went with the Simple kit. The hands on build allowed me to quickly understand how they work and was crucial knowledge as you’ll spend a lot of time tweaking and calibrating it.

You can either buy a kit to upgrade the build space or do the work yourself by printing parts and buying some items at the local hardware store.

Most important thing is to probably do something sooner rather than later.

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DONT buy an M8 frame Mendel…

Like, it works, but its a massive PITA…

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Thanks for steering me away from the TwoUp! I’m kind of leaning towards getting the Simple to hold me over while I print/build a delta.

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For a decent upgrade, It would be a 3DR by richrap. John SL has a great write up for conversion from printbot to 3DR delta. I do Have to say, I have had my 2 Prussia/Mendel frames for over a year and half and not a problem and prints great. Problem Solving is all printers at this level to cost.

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My fantasy printer would be a 3DR or Cossel with a smoothieboard controller… maybe someday. :slight_smile:

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The Simple doesn’t cost a whole lot more than its electronics. Build a Simple, learn, upgrade the build area, then down the road print parts and sacrifice the Simple’s guts for a RepRap?

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@David_McGuigan 's option sounds like a plan. The printrboard has pretty much everything you need even for a bigger machine - just make sure that whatever you’re building is ready for business when you rip the electronics from your Simple.
Oh, and don’t build a delta. Aside from looking cool, there is nothing the delta geometry improves over a cartesian bot.

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Use the Misumi $150 free offer and get extrusions cut to size for a Kissel, the use the pay it forward program on deltabot for free printed parts. You have to buy electronics, hotend and motion components (I like tridprinting) and get to work. Deltabot list is very helpful.

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@Thomas_Sanladerer …but they look SO cool… :smiley:

Despite my delta ambitions, I will most likely end up printing parts for something similar to a Prusa i3. Initially I had visions of building something that imitates the SCARA style robots that I work with, but that’s a huge undertaking just designing it. Then my co-worker @Chris_Dieringer designed/built the Cossel delta – which I really admire. But you are correct, I don’t see any advantage to delta printers, whereas cartesian bots are easily tailored to differing build dimensions.