My son is about ready for his first printer. His school is running Cetus MK3 printers, he has a class using them, and his teacher has recommended this printer. He also has an educational seat of Fusion 360.

I’m proficient with Mastercam and hand written/modified G-code. I can help him with CAD no problem. Alignment, assembly, adjustment, and backlash are second nature for me. Have a little better than layman’s understanding of printers. (Lusted over the Markforged printer that could do continuous carbon fiber.)

Eventually, will be building my own shop and hope my son might work with me. Hope to include printing, especially in metal.

I’ve seen some of the flap about Bambu and them closing up the software tool chain. I would like to avoid that sort of thing, for now, openness is better.

Top of my budget is around $500, with $200 probably being better.

Usable prints for tooling/spacers/repairs would be a bonus as would being able to print UV resistant plastic.

My goal for him is to get gud at modelling and get a feel for computer controlled movement. Another goal, harder to describe, is him finding the joy in mechanical tinkering and producing an idea made physical.

Thank you much! What do?

  • IMALlama@lemmy.worldEnglish
    7·
    19 hours ago

    IMO there are two things to consider. First: do you want FDM or SLA. You’re trading resolution for build volume. If you’re going to be making a lot of smaller things, SLA printers can offer more output since they print the same speed no matter how much of the build plate is occupied. Also consider the size of the things you’ll print. In other words, how much build volume should you be looking for.

    Second: are you seeking to tinker with the printer as a point of interest/engagement or are you simply looking for the printer to be a tool?

    Off-the cuff list:

    • enders are cheap, but will likely result in you wanting to fiddle with the printer
    • Sovol are a bit more expensive, but should require less fiddling
    • Prusas have the reputation for set it up and forget it workhorses and are priced accordingly
    • Voron printers are 100% open source and there is no “official” storefront or kit. Plenty of companies offer a “BOM in a box” option. You’ll build a printer from parts and it’s a very solid base to just print with or to fiddle with. If you dig through my post history you’ll see quite a few posts and comments about mine. Sourcing a Voron can be pricey though

    … There are tons of other options too

    • Machinist@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      1·
      15 hours ago

      FDM for now. Not planning on doing casting or proto mockups at this time.

      Envelope is not a large concern, I assume it is similar to machining. You buy 1.5x the size you think you need and find out it should have been twice as big. The plan is to cut teeth on this printer before moving to something better/larger.

      Mostly want to use the printer as a tool, not bothered if some tinkering is required. A Harbor Freight machine like a drill press or band saw is a ‘kit’. Use it for a little bit, take it apart and fix the manufacturing shortcomings. I’m okay with a printer of similar build quality as long as the bones are good.

      Voron sounds interesting, have seen the Enders as well, seem to be okay.