Which 3D Printers, filaments, CAD to consider when starting ?

2013

2013

2013

Soldato
Joined
29 Dec 2012
Posts
4,225
I'm in the early stage of buying a 3d printer, I want to do a little research to get a good idea of what is available new or used, what I should consider so on.

I've never really had a need for a 3D printer, other than the odd times I needed something and a 3d printer would have helped but its one of them things I want to try out if possible, I'm still not 100% about getting one due to the starting cost for something I want to try, I can at least do some research and get one if I can get something at a reasonable price in the future or if I change my mind, I'm assuming once I have one I assume I will start to use it a lot more. So I thought I would do a little research and ask questions.


3D printer - Sub £200
I'm not 100% what would be the good option for a starter printer but here are a few printers brands and models I thought would a good option when starting out, let me know your thought and if you have any other suggestions.

Creality Ender-3 V2 (maybe a used option)​

Creality Ender-3 V3 SE​

I've seen Creality models used by and for sale a few. So I assumed it would be a good option.
Bambu Lab A1 mini
Anycubic Kobra 2
Artillery Sidewinder
ELEGOO Neptune 4

Repairability are they all similar ?
Would I be better off getting a used to start of just buy a new one and hope for the best?
a lot of used prices I've found are not far off from a new, from the prices i've found on the ender 3 v2 £120+


Filament
I'm thinking PLA would be a good starting point but it would be a nice if I could get a all rounder that's can withstand the heat a little better and is not brittle. would PLA still be the best.

What have you found the cost to be like on average ?

CAD and Slicing software
What software would you recommend for someone who's never used anything before.


Any other suggestions


Please let me know your thoughts
 
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@2013

Why the sad face?

I am all up for helping people, but it's always nice to think they have tried to help themselves 1st

I spent months watching endless utube vids, on best printers for beginners, which slicing software, the difference between different fillaments, by the end of it I knew what I was doing and what I wanted to buy

+ reading content on here
 
I think a lot of people would say go for an ender to begin with, I went sidewinder and it's actually quite good although getting on a bit now.

PLA/PLA+ are both quite easy to get started with, reasonably cheap too so you can have a bit of trial and error....you will have some trial and a fair bit of error lol, that's half the fun.

CAD, I'm mainly using Solidworks at work, a lot use Fusion 360 or the google one, I've not played around with anything much other than Pro-E/SW.

Slicer, Currently I'm using Prusa Slicer which seems pretty good, Cura is another really good option though which I actually found easier to get into.

I'm sure some far more knowledgable folk than me will be along to help but that's basically what I know from having used our two sidewinder x1's.
 
Can’t go wrong with bambulabs, prusa, creality but some are more expensive than £200.

You’ll probably end up with a lot PLA/PLA+ and some petg maybe for more temperature resistant and slightly stronger parts.

Tinkercad for starters, fusion360 when you want to get serious.
 
Haze said:
@2013

Why the sad face?

I am all up for helping people, but it's always nice to think they have tried to help themselves 1st

I spent months watching endless utube vids, on best printers for beginners, which slicing software, the difference between different fillaments, by the end of it I knew what I was doing and what I wanted to buy

+ reading content on here
Click to expand...
One size does not always fit all.
You did spend the time to reply but nothing was provided in the reply, other than asking why I did not read the other threads.
It would have been nice if you did provide a little on the topic, example you could have said in your option this would be good or provide a link.

I did check some of the other post, but I did not go a long way back and I have also checked a lot of YouTube videos, which is how I got a better idea of models. filaments and software that would be could be good but YouTube is not always local or the same as asking someone in the UK about personal experience, on YouTube a lot of info on the printers is from the US .

I am also still checking YouTube.


I have posted some info and a short list of printers I think would be good, I was hoping people on here could share some thoughts, mainly if they have used them and had experience with them.
 
BeeP said:
I think a lot of people would say go for an ender to begin with, I went sidewinder and it's actually quite good although getting on a bit now.

PLA/PLA+ are both quite easy to get started with, reasonably cheap too so you can have a bit of trial and error....you will have some trial and a fair bit of error lol, that's half the fun.

CAD, I'm mainly using Solidworks at work, a lot use Fusion 360 or the google one, I've not played around with anything much other than Pro-E/SW.

Slicer, Currently I'm using Prusa Slicer which seems pretty good, Cura is another really good option though which I actually found easier to get into.

I'm sure some far more knowledgable folk than me will be along to help but that's basically what I know from having used our two sidewinder x1's.
Click to expand...
Thank you, I was thinking the enders maybe good for starting out since it one that a lot of people have but I wanted to get a idea of the others.

What's the repairability like on them ?

I have no experience with CAD at all, would the above still be a good choice ?

wafflecart said:
Can’t go wrong with bambulabs, prusa, creality but some are more expensive than £200.

You’ll probably end up with a lot PLA/PLA+ and some petg maybe for more temperature resistant and slightly stronger parts.

Tinkercad for starters, fusion360 when you want to get serious.
Click to expand...
Thank you, from my googles searches I think the prusa maybe out of my budget, I am considering both the bambulabs and creality but the bambulabs is on the higher end.

What is the repairability like ? I assume they do need repair and maintenance over time.

Would you recommend going for a brand new model or start out with a used one to see ?

Whats the pricing on PLA/PLA+ and PETG, I've not really looked the prices for the filament yet.
 
Buying a 3d printer is no different to buying anything else, everyone that replies to this thread will tell you to buy a different printer for different reasons, which means you are further forwards

You need to decide what size print volume you want and weather you want a pre built printer or one you build from scratch, and from that you can work out which one to buy

Price of filament are not just based on type of plastic, there are different colours that effect price ect

Would not buy 2nd hand, could have been botched by someone
 
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2013 said:
Thank you, I was thinking the enders maybe good for starting out since it one that a lot of people have but I wanted to get a idea of the others.

What's the repairability like on them ?

I have no experience with CAD at all, would the above still be a good choice ?


Thank you, from my googles searches I think the prusa maybe out of my budget, I am considering both the bambulabs and creality but the bambulabs is on the higher end.

What is the repairability like ? I assume they do need repair and maintenance over time.

Would you recommend going for a brand new model or start out with a used one to see ?

Whats the pricing on PLA/PLA+ and PETG, I've not really looked the prices for the filament yet.
Click to expand...
Parts for Prusa, bambu and creality (original and 3rd party) are plentiful and easy to get. They do require bit of maintenance over time but not as much as you think. Main thing is brass nozzles could wear out after few years, build plate replacements if they get damaged/worn over time, nothing major.

PLA/PLA+ and PETG can be had for £15-£20 even for good stuff. It’s not expensive at all. Stick with big brands like eSun, sunlu, hatchbox, eryone and overture are perfectly fine.
 
Haze said:
Buying a 3d printer is no different to buying anything else, everyone that replies to this thread will tell you to buy a different printer for different reasons, which means you are further forwards

You need to decide what size print volume you want and weather you want a pre built printer or one you build from scratch, and from that you can work out which one to buy

Price of filament are not just based on type of plastic, there are different colours that effect price ect

Would not buy 2nd hand, could have been botched by someone
Click to expand...
Size wise, I would be looking at least the bambulabs mini, I don't want something too small they are not very big to start with but a larger give me more options for the future, prre built is the best option I think or something that requires the least work, but I assume all of the ones I have thought will come mostly built.

So its better to but a new one for £170+ than risk getting a used one at £50+ ?
 
2013 said:
Size wise, I would be looking at least the bambulabs mini, I don't want something too small they are not very big to start with but a larger give me more options for the future, prre built is the best option I think or something that requires the least work, but I assume all of the ones I have thought will come mostly built.

So its better to but a new one for £170+ than risk getting a used one at £50+ ?
Click to expand...
For me I'd go new, you never know what someone has done to it and what may or may not be broken so at least if/when you break it yourself you have a place to start looking. They do take a lot of tinkering and tweaking, at least our ones did.

New printers just keep getting better and better though, ours are a few years old and have done a load of work but looking at new ones they are so much faster and look like they come with a more of the tweaks we made for ours.

I think some of the Bambu ones come built, couldn't say personally though, they also seem to be the easiest ones to get going on with less hassle, so I've read, if that part worries you then you should research which printers you like and check if there are build videos out there.

I can't say about other printers but the artillery was really easy to build, 4 bolts then a few connections and we were ready to start bed levelling.
 
BeeP said:
For me I'd go new, you never know what someone has done to it and what may or may not be broken so at least if/when you break it yourself you have a place to start looking. They do take a lot of tinkering and tweaking, at least our ones did.

New printers just keep getting better and better though, ours are a few years old and have done a load of work but looking at new ones they are so much faster and look like they come with a more of the tweaks we made for ours.

I think some of the Bambu ones come built, couldn't say personally though, they also seem to be the easiest ones to get going on with less hassle, so I've read, if that part worries you then you should research which printers you like and check if there are build videos out there.

I can't say about other printers but the artillery was really easy to build, 4 bolts then a few connections and we were ready to start bed levelling.
Click to expand...
I've been thinking the same for similar reasons plus used is not reasonably priced at the moment, I've not found anything half descent for a less than £80 most are old or faulty or needing to travel further to collect, I may as well save a up a little more and get a new one, I could also do research as I go. who know maybe when I'm ready something better maybe available.
 
Haze said:
Buying a 3d printer is no different to buying anything else, everyone that replies to this thread will tell you to buy a different printer for different reasons, which means you are further forwards
Click to expand...

Neptune Elegoo all the way. 30 mins assembly and it just works. No mods are needed.

You need to decide what size print volume you want and weather you want a pre built printer or one you build from scratch, and from that you can work out which one to buy
Click to expand...

Take note this is very sensible OP. Maybe too sensible for this forum ;)

Too Tall said:
Fusion 360 is brilliant software (free for home use).

Lots of fantastic YouTube guides too.
Click to expand...

I settled for Tinkercad because its basic and easy to learn and Fusion 360 to me is like chinese
 
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