3D printer for absolute beginner

Cromulent

Cromulent

Cromulent

Soldato
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I'm interested in 3D printing because I'm doing some electronics and would like to print parts to build a robot. It must be usable with a Mac and all the software needs to be for macOS as well.

I'd like to be able to make custom parts but I have absolutely no experience and have no idea what is required. My budget is flexible if it can do everything that I need.
 
i'm sure most popular slicers have macos versions
building robots would require something a bit more robust than PLA .. all harder plastic need enclouser to print.
i think depending how big your parts will be i would recoment bambu p1s
 
Chaos666 said:
i'm sure most popular slicers have macos versions
building robots would require something a bit more robust than PLA .. all harder plastic need enclouser to print.
i think depending how big your parts will be i would recoment bambu p1s
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Thank you very much. Is there some software out there I can practice with to see if I can do what I want to do before I shell out the money on one?
 
Cura, Slic3r for slicing/and getting a feel for turning STLs into GCode and what the various settings are.

For design, Fusion 360 is my go-to. They have a hobbyist license, and it's fairly straightforward to get started with. Watch a couple of YT tutorials to familiarise yourself with the UI and the terminology.


Holding your own design in your hands is a satisfying moment.
 
Oh Ed not again. said:
Cura, Slic3r for slicing/and getting a feel for turning STLs into GCode and what the various settings are.

For design, Fusion 360 is my go-to. They have a hobbyist license, and it's fairly straightforward to get started with. Watch a couple of YT tutorials to familiarise yourself with the UI and the terminology.


Holding your own design in your hands is a satisfying moment.
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Cool. I downloaded Cura and that seems to work but I couldn't find the hobbyist license for Fusion 360. I'm probably missing something stupid.

Edit: Found it. My bad.
 
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This is a great printer for a first-timer:

K1 Speedy 3D Printer

It comes with Mac software, prints ABS, has it has its own very good enclosure, £379.00 (bargain), there's always something better somewhere, sometime, cheaper, more expensive, and much better (and even more expensive).

I've had a few 3D printers and this is the best I've had for ease of use, quality, and price. I'm building one of the best printers available as a kit - and it's 4 times the price.

Dip your toe in and have a go - it's amazing and great fun :)
 
Personally I would go for a Bambu 3d printer, the machine is virtually plug and play with very little assembly once the machine is removed from its packaging.

Bambu Studio (slicing software) works perfectly with Mac Os.

I have had my X1C Carbon for 18 months now and not had a single problem with it at all, its fast and the prints are perfect every time, prior to getting the Bambu I had 2 Creality 3d printers which have not been used since the Bambu arrived.

Bambu have a sale on at the moment which could be an added bonus for you.

Hope this helps.
 
Interesting thread - but the prices still put me off. Have to print a LOT of stuff to make it worthwhile compared to ordering it online. I'm surprised people with 3D printers dont do "side jobs" to recoup some cost
 
Well it's cheaper than it used to be.
I started with a £120 ender 3. Ended up upgrading loads of things.. I learned a lot but I could've just bought more expensive printer :)
Your choice
 
GSXR Gaz Mc said:
think im gonna buy a bambu a1 mini @ £169.99 ...just got a wait for shipping
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Personally after using my Neptune 3 Pro for over a year the build plate on the A1 mini you will find is too small. Unless you are sticking to small models its not ideal. My 3 Pro has a bigger build plate and a few times I've found its not big enough for what I was going to print. With the A1 mini being smaller I would have had a lot more that I couldnt have done.
 
varkanoid said:
Personally after using my Neptune 3 Pro for over a year the build plate on the A1 mini you will find is too small. Unless you are sticking to small models its not ideal. My 3 Pro has a bigger build plate and a few times I've found its not big enough for what I was going to print. With the A1 mini being smaller I would have had a lot more that I couldnt have done.
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i fully agree.. good printer but very limiting in bed size
 
One option is to buy second hand 3d printer can get one for £100, that way you're thrown into the deep end, learn all you can. Learn manual bed levelling with the knobs etc.

If you buy a 3D printer where it holds your hand does everything for you, you won't learn anything.

Like learning on a automatic car instead one with a clutch.

Once you've learned all you need to know, then save up for a new printer, ie you might want one with massive bed. Or you may prefer to move from FDM to resin. Or you prefer linear rails and core XYZ, enclosed cabinet etc, and you still have the low end one for smaller parts etc.
 
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Honestly the A1 Mini is so cheap and so good that I can't see a reason not to start there unless you know for sure you'll need larger very soon. Even then you could sell it or just keep it as a small prototyping unit.

No fuss, no muss, just great out of the box and you can focusin on 3D printing rather than learning how to fix a printer like the rest of us had to!
 
had my a1 mini a couple of weeks now and i love it, just wish i had bought the combo for the ams light, bambu did send me a 10% off code for one but still too much, prob get a the bigger a1 comboi at some point... every day is school day the more i look into it the more i like to know, will prob look at some tweaking soon also
 
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