Thinking about getting a 3D printer. I have a bunch of ideas about making cases for a stick of steel washers (seeds or passphrases)
On the design side I've played around a bit with Blender. Using it to create a product might be a lot more sophisticated.
Anyway, just interested to hear SN's thoughts to see if anyone is using a 3D printer to design & produce something.
Had interest in printers, and used one a few times at a shared markerspace. I took a class, and messed around in fusion 360.
Got my own printer, spent months printing upgrades for it. Started to print my own designs to solve problems around my shop. Repairs, tool holders, custom containers, upgrades for other tools like laser cutter attachments.
One day, I decided to make an eBay listing for my designs to sell prints on the side. It took off! Bought 6 more printers and ran them constantly to keep with demand.
Now, I've built supply chains for the most popular products, using mass manufacturing techniques. 3d printing is great for prototyping, and even proving there is demand for a product. Anyone with ambition can bootstrap a business off of a $200 machine running in a closet.
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Wow!
So the $200 machines are ok?
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Its ok, if you're ambitious. If I could do over again starting now, I'd get a Bamboo Labs P1S. Or do over again starting then, a Prusa.
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I bought a Creality Ender3, used it to print a seedsigner case coaster and cat. Pretty easy setup and the learning curb isnt that big. I've tried printing a case for my space heater, but the base isnt big enough to print straight from the stl. I tried resizing the thing and it came out looking like a lunch box......I'll probably try printing it in parts. 3d printing is pretty fun and I'd definitely give it a shot if I were you.
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I hear the Enders are a go to printer. I hear Prusa is also pretty good manufacturer, did you do much research before deciding on your choice?
What's the most difficult thing? I've only sent stl files off to be printed by someone else. Really want to start learning, but feel like it's still not the right time, yet.
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No research whatsoever, bought it off of amazon. Wasn't difficult at all, Max from Pleblab breaks things down really well.
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Prusa is a Czech company that manufactures their products in-house; Creality (the company that makes the Ender product line) is a Chinese company. Most other differences between the two companies' products, logically follow from this difference.
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Quite surprised I've not heard any other printers which are made in-house in other countries.
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Look into Bamboo Labs printers. Its about the same cost as the Prusa line but its generations ahead, makes printing wayyy easier
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A $20 Keycap is unaffordable but a 3D printer isn’t? Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but I may be missing something
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How about the time you would spend to recreate the keycap? Would it be worth the $20.
I guess if its a part that they don't make anymore it might be worth it, as other people might also be looking to buy one.
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Yeah, I use them for prototyping random components at my job. Both filament and resin. Useful little things.
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I have Creality Ender 3 at home. It's relatively cheap and seems good enough for my needs.
Besides printing small stuff for myself, rest of the time I'm printing grenade tail fin stabilizers for Ukraine drone warfare effort.
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My first printer was Creality Ender, next Prusa MK3S+ and i stay with Prusa til now...
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any thoughts on the AnkerMake M5c as an entry level device?
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Its like an upgraded ender3, should be fine.
Bamboo Labs has a printer about 2x the price of the M5c and it will give you 10x less hassle. Bamboo Labs is the GOAT at the moment, every other brand hasn't caught up yet.
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what model from bamboo labs?
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They have a whole line ranging from $399-$1700. You get what you pay for so DYOR. I like the P1S.
Here's the video that sold me:
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