I’m thinking about buying myself a 3d printer, but have no experience with them at all. I found this online and was wondering what your opinions/experiences are on cheap products like these? I just want to make some basic boxes to fabricate new electronic cigarette mods.
$244.95 Authentic Geeetech Aluminum Prusa I3 3D Printer Kit (UK) - Aluminum Prusa I3, UK (free shipping) - FastTech.com
IMO, there’s two key perspectives to consider when getting a 3D printer. One being that you want a printer so you can print the various things you find online, tinker and fabricate like @brett_turnage did with his motorcycles, and basically hack the printer as you use it.
Or two, you want to make a business out of just printing and selling things. So the end result is that you’re really wanting the printer as a production tool …turn it on, and it reliably works.
I’ve seen reviews on the Geeetech printer, and it sounds like it’s a good starting platform. But you may find yourself getting caught up with tuning and tweaking it to get optimum prints.
On the other hand you can just go get an actual Prusa printer and start getting very good results from day one. You will still have to learn about the nuances of 3D printing, but at least it’s not as vertical of a learning curve.
Just do yourself a favor and buy the original Prusa i3 MK2 from http://www.prusa3d.com%EF%BB%BF. Better to get the kit as this also helps you get to know the printer better and saves money.
“Authentic” and “Geeetech” do not belong in the same sentence. I second @Hakan_Evirgen . Buy the Prusa i3 MK2 from http://www.prusa3d.com/
Thanks for your advice! Looks like I need to save for another few months for the Prusa. Shipping to Australia is usually a killer!
Carl, you should write and ask them if they know of any local supplier of their printers as the shipment costs are very high. Either they have some local supplier or maybe they even make you special price. So asking does not hurt.