Hi all,
I've been browsing 3D printers but keep going round in circles. I can't make my mind up on whether I want to spend less, but learn more about the theory of how the printer functions and to set it up, or just spend more and just have something that 'works' and just learn about the technicalities of printing. I don't mind the self assembly of kit options that most providers seem to offer.
My main use, is to prototype some aluminium extrusions to make a working scale model , and to get a feel for how it would be assembled by the end user, as well as just seeing if the darned thing works! I'd also just like to print random objects as and when needed. I familiar with autodesk inventor, so can 3d model to a basic degree.
So, i've been looking at the Creality range , because they are cheaper, require building and either do , or don't offer self leveling. So around £300 for that budget range with the ender 5 pro. It has a decent build height which might come in useful when printing say a 300mm high extrusion by an inch wide by about 6 long, seems quite a sturdy machine which will help with wobble in z axis. What I don't like, is not having self leveling. I've seen you can buy a self leveling kit, but it seems to miss out a quarter of the board , as the probe is offset by about 3 to 4 inches, does this in the real world cause a problem? Can it be further levelled with that paper method?
*edit* Just been watching some videos of the CRS10 Pro V2, seems to also fit the bill,not too expensive but gets great results on much larger prints.
Also, i've been looking at the Prusa i3 mks+, again self build and from all the reviews, works right out of the box and gives excellent build quality. However it's a little smaller on the build size, and doesn't look quite as stable. However it's a more technically capable looking machine which can managed most if not all filaments available for FDM. It is double the price plus then some when you add in filaments and extra nozzles etc, so is it worth the extra expense? I like that it can be upgraded as they bring out new updates, but it will always be limited by its build size.
Has anyone on here got experience of either model?
Thanks!
I've been browsing 3D printers but keep going round in circles. I can't make my mind up on whether I want to spend less, but learn more about the theory of how the printer functions and to set it up, or just spend more and just have something that 'works' and just learn about the technicalities of printing. I don't mind the self assembly of kit options that most providers seem to offer.
My main use, is to prototype some aluminium extrusions to make a working scale model , and to get a feel for how it would be assembled by the end user, as well as just seeing if the darned thing works! I'd also just like to print random objects as and when needed. I familiar with autodesk inventor, so can 3d model to a basic degree.
So, i've been looking at the Creality range , because they are cheaper, require building and either do , or don't offer self leveling. So around £300 for that budget range with the ender 5 pro. It has a decent build height which might come in useful when printing say a 300mm high extrusion by an inch wide by about 6 long, seems quite a sturdy machine which will help with wobble in z axis. What I don't like, is not having self leveling. I've seen you can buy a self leveling kit, but it seems to miss out a quarter of the board , as the probe is offset by about 3 to 4 inches, does this in the real world cause a problem? Can it be further levelled with that paper method?
*edit* Just been watching some videos of the CRS10 Pro V2, seems to also fit the bill,not too expensive but gets great results on much larger prints.
Also, i've been looking at the Prusa i3 mks+, again self build and from all the reviews, works right out of the box and gives excellent build quality. However it's a little smaller on the build size, and doesn't look quite as stable. However it's a more technically capable looking machine which can managed most if not all filaments available for FDM. It is double the price plus then some when you add in filaments and extra nozzles etc, so is it worth the extra expense? I like that it can be upgraded as they bring out new updates, but it will always be limited by its build size.
Has anyone on here got experience of either model?
Thanks!
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