I’m Happy with this one http://www.aliexpress.com/item/full-Metal-Reprap-Prusa-i3-3d-Printer-DIY-kit-Stainless-Steel-Easy-Installation-2-Roll-Filament/32586716087.html , Under $300 delivered with 2x 0.5kg of filament, Auto level sensor, Stainless steel frame, Aluminum bed, Only 3 plastic parts, Can’t complain.
@Jeff_Dewe can you get this in fully assembled?
No, but its not that hard to put together. Most printers under $300 are kits, The only ones assembled have a lot smaller bed size and they are usually around $350 range.
@Jeff_Dewe ok thanks I think I’ll do it
I also have a “Unofficial FB group for them” https://www.facebook.com/groups/1203224639702692/
@Robo_Electronics what about an mpcnc (mostly printed cnc http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:724999 ) with a 3d printer head?
Seems doable but you’d be the first.
@Robo_Electronics We’re about a month away from release of our new Delta Go printer if you’re willing to wait. You can find out more about it here: http://deltaprintr.com
@Shai_Schechter how much will it cost? Kit?
If you’re thinking of building your own 3D printer, it’s best if you have some engineering experience or a friend nearby that has experience with 3D printing experience. Online forums can help but from my own personal experience with the first Deltaprintr, you’re pretty much on your own when it’s a newly launched product. The under $300 price tag is really for people who have experience or who wants to learn about electronics and stuff and have lots of time and patience. You may get something decent at twice that budget. The best xp I had with $300 budget is a 2nd hand M3D on eBay from a reputable seller, but risky it is.
@Nathan_Walkner I’m smarter than the people who designed the machine, and the fools that purchase it. A fool and his money is easily parted.
For comparison, try purchasing a house that sells for half of market value. Or a new car that costs half as much as the cheapest reasonable car.
The costs of materials and manufacturing dictate that the quality diminishes. If the foundation is worthless, then you would be wasting your time by changing paint and light fixtures and expecting it to perform better. The machine is only as good as it’s weakest link.
There seems to be a pretty big fan base for the TEVO Tarantula or Turantula i3. There’s a Facebook group dedicated to them. You can find them for under $300US on AliExpress.
Did you look how small the bed build area is on the delta, 10.1 D X 12.7 H CM plus it does say anything about a heated bed. The Zonestar bed is x4 times larger and twice as high 22D x 23.5 H cm
@Dizzee When I purchased the Zonestar, I was debating on the TEVO Tarantula, I went with the Zonestar, because of the qulity control on the TEVO Tarantula, I’m a member of there FB page and in the last month 6 boards of burnt the heatbed socket, because the wires are bare, no connectors so they move, heatup, loosen and burn. Some parts come missing, Some parts aren’t painted, Some parts aren’t drilled, Some parts come broken, Some parts come missing, The upgrade options are 9X the actual cost on aliexpress, a $5 sensor is like $45, etc. I went with the zonestar because its a better printer, The TEVO Tarantula looks nice, but it has a lot of issues, including needing braces all over the printer, it has a very weak/flexable frame. Oh yeah one caught fire and burn a large hole right through the table, Luckily the guy caught it in time.
If it comes with a crap frame, then you must replace it. If it comes with crap motors, then you must replace it. If it comes with crap electronics, then you must replace it. If it comes with a crap hotend, then you must replace it.
These aren’t parts that you can wave your magic wand and make them better. I’m not saying that a higher price always leads to better engineering, but the raw costs of materials dictates a minimum quality of the individual components.
You cannot fix things that are set in stone. When you buy a crap machine you will be spending not only a lot of time trying to fix it, but a lot of money replacing every single part. When you are done “fixing” it, you will have spent 3 times the original cost, and months or years.
I could see myself getting a TEVO Tarantula in the future, The Zonestar is nice and sturdy with the Stainless steel frame, But the TEVO Tarantula does intrigue me, I like fixing things and upgrading etc, Its a good printer for that. It wouldn’t make a good first printer, But If you want an extra hobby printer , I would give it a go, They have a great community of FB, But if you want a quality, low priced printer, I would go with the Zonestar.
Ok thanks!
hope this helps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmOfWOJ9BGA
@Jeff_Dewe what do you think about the Wanhao printer?
Wanhao does have a good name for itself, Its not that easily upgraded, but the way it comes is pretty good. Its a good starter printer.
@Jeff_Dewe I like it because it’s not an long process kit and is still $400