3d Printers

paulsharvey · Nov 28, 2021

So, clearly a odd forum to ask, but this is a very well rounded group of clever folks. Any thoughts on 3d printers? They look like fun, and I think the kids (7,10,15) would like one as a gift, but..
On one hand, you see some clever examples of actually use, making practical gadgets
On the other hand, it seems like, online, they are mostly used to print out figurines, statues of liberty, and eiffel towers.

I am curious, if you have one, what useful items you have made, and with that, did you use an existing model, or draft it yourself. Would be helpful if you mention a rough level of tech savvy you rate yourself.

I send emails, mess around on tractor forums, and use Excel without formuals at work (think graph paper...), 15 years ago, i messed with some very basic residential housing CAD, but it really was 15 years ago.

paulsharvey · Nov 28, 2021

I'm thinking tool organizers, maybe reloading blocks, maybe phone/tablet organizers/charger station, remote controller bases.

I dont really know enough about them to think of what to use them for.

LittleBill21 · Nov 28, 2021

they are life changing, no not really an exaggeration. There are 2 components to 3d printing, the printing part, and the modeling design part.

resin printers are mostly for high accuracy very small parts like figurines. filament printers, can make much larger pieces.

I make 99% of my own parts, this is where the real freedom is. I randomly print a premade part, but its prolly less then 1% of the time

once you have one. you will not understand how you live without it, IF you can learn to design. I use fusion 360, you can try thinkercad to begin. I had never done cad in my life, was able to design a part following a tutorial in 2 hours, and have just built on from there.

just some of my tractor parts.

Now able to move tractor from backhoe position. Push Button, 3D Parts, Should have come from the factory this way.

Some of you may remember my complaining about not being able to move the tractor with the seat reversed, while using the backhoe. I thought this was crazy, as who just sits in one place and digs (guess I need to dig ditches). After trying a stick for about an hour i said screw it and designed...

www.tractorbynet.com

Another 3D printed part to the rescue.

Got to be honest, getting slightly annoyed with the design of stuff, my mahindra has to loop back the lines for the 3pt/hydro to work with the backhoe off. this loop would just hang, and rub on the pto guard, enough to where its starting to mark the QC. Made this, pretty happy with it, nothing...

www.tractorbynet.com

Sick of Paying Tractor Part Prices.... Make Your Own....(3D Printed)

I bought a 3d printer out of interest, and for a specific project. Coming to find out I have a million uses for this thing. All of my dust covers were ripped or removed from my mahindra backhoe /3pt. and they are ALL different sizes, plus some of them appear to be like 13-14 bucks a piece for...

www.tractorbynet.com

I use a Ender 3 v2. I primarily print in PETG.

https://amzn.to/3D1NqXt

paulsharvey · Nov 28, 2021

So, the Ender 3 V2 seems to be recommended by about 90% of sources for a first printer.

About 6 months ago, there was a sale on Ender 3 Pro, for like $169; and i kinda joked about it been a 'toy' and my 10 yo daughter started telling me about them. I had aways assumed they where $500+, and reserved for hard-core computer guys, till here recently.

LittleBill21 · Nov 28, 2021

ender 3v2 has the most aftermarket support, better tightening system for belts, better plate apparently, and a better screen, and a quieter motherboard for the stepper motors, enders seem to be the most popular. the prusa mk models, I am told are more plug and play, less screwing around etc. they are also more money

There are learning curves here. once you get it prepped proper then it can turn into turn key printing. I rarely adjust my printer anymore, but I made some changes.

if you have specific questions let me know

shooterdon · Nov 28, 2021

I would search on Craigslist. I expect a lot of folks think they are neat and easy to use...until they face the learning curve.

No where near as easy as you may be led to believe. There are guys making case and bullet collators on a forum I am a member of. Large parts take over a day to print...and the first few iterations are rarely good enough. Then a momentary power blimp can ruin hours of printing.

Good luck!

LittleBill21 · Nov 28, 2021

shooterdon said:
I would search on Craigslist. I expect a lot of folks think they are neat and easy to use...until they face the learning curve.

No where near as easy as you may be led to believe. There are guys making case and bullet collators on a forum I am a member of. Large parts take over a day to print...and the first few iterations are rarely good enough. Then a momentary power blimp can ruin hours of printing.

Good luck!

this is one place i would not recommend used. "Squareness" is very very important, these are not really portable, so they can get tweaked. for the price point we are talking about, new is well worth the lack frustration from something being broke and not knowing it.

FYI the printers do need a bit of assembly.

a UPS can easily prevent the power blip, and these printers have print recovery to resume where they left off.

yes some prints take long. I have some that take 14 hours etc. go to bed wake up. part is sitting there waiting for you.

iteration issue is a design issue, not a printer issue. i have made several prints that were success off the first design.

BravoXray · Nov 28, 2021

I bought a QiDi Tech 1 a few years ago, and was hooked. I have 3d printed literally hundreds of different useful ans novelty items, from paper clip holders to T-Rex skeletons, scooter stands and tap and die organizers.
I wanted to print larger items than the QiDi Tech would print, so I built a HyperCube Evo from scratch that has a 12" X 12" X 12" build volume. It has been a great printer and I rarely use the QiDi Tech now. The Evo has a web interface and is connected to my home network via ethernet so I can send print jobs to it and monitor progress on any of my computers, tablet or phone.
I'm not a home now, or I could post some pictures.

Cat385B · Nov 28, 2021

My BIL just made me a wall mount holder for AA, AAA, and 9 volt batteries. What would take up a whole drawer is now a 6x12 spot on the garage wall.

ChuckT · Nov 29, 2021

There was a brief surge of news about 3d printing houses. Now that would be progress.

Alan W. · Nov 29, 2021

My son has one that he modified to print with a larger variety of plastics. He even has a heated tent to cover his printer for one type of plastic. Like all things you can spend to your hearts content.
There are sites that have lots of printable designs to download for free.
Here is a few things that hi has made for me.
Handles for my HF quick hitch.
Bucket handles and
Mount for exhaust fan.

Root Cause · Nov 29, 2021

Prusa is one of the most popular out there but they sell direct. You won't see them on amazon. doubt you would see one on C'list because of their ease of use and customer service.

Bought one 2 years ago. You can buy it assembled but I chose to build it as they recommended. It helps to understand it. I searched for maintenance instructions or weak links and there is little to do. It is robust.

Grandson made a fancy cell phone holder with gears. I have made 20v/12v holders for batteries and holders to mount both 20 and 12v drills and other tools vertically.

There are websites out there to make endless things and alone that is fun for a while.
For me, it was putting an idea into motion. That requires software. There are many free ones out there but you have to take a little time to learn that. If you or a young person has the desire, there is no reason one cannot learn to 3D software and make ideas into things. Great for prototypes or fixing a broken knob etc.

(I do have a machinist background and have done design work for a living so this was a bit easier but I also watched my Grandson put the printer together with my help and when he saw a model on the screen turn into a part, the lightbulb came on. That was fun to watch.

Back to Prusa. They have a great website. Others help each other. If you get stuck, send a picture or a video and customer service will get you on track soon enough.

The only bad thing is that they are always back ordered so you may need to see if they can still ship by Christmas.

Root Cause · Nov 29, 2021

Paulsharvey,

I wouldn't knock an ender. I had some co-workers who had them. However, they ended up in the closet when they encountered problems.
From my very limited exposure, I would expect that you will be more involved to get the kinks out. There are many videos for enders that will help.

For a kid, it might be the perfect solution to see if it is a toy that is quickly discarded like other toys or if it grabs their attention.

Skeans1 · Nov 29, 2021

Another good option is a CR-10 V3 it works out of the box, the only thing I’ve changed on this machine so far has been the extruder as well as the hot end so I can run higher temps to go with the higher speeds I run at. If I’m looking for a beginners printer I’m looking for something with a direct drive extruder vs a Bowden drive system, with the direct drive you will have an easier time tuning the printer as well as the use of different materials is greater.

One of the better upgrades available for any printer is a raspberry pi with something like Octoprint, or what I run Klipper with Fluidd as the webhost. For firmware Marlin works fine as is great for beginners, but when you want to speed stuff up Klipper is the way to go with the same parts I have been able to double the speeds all the way around without any lose of quality.

Resin vs FDM they both have their places I run both for functional parts, that said the detail that a resin setup can produce is mind blowing especially when in person.

Boss 302 · Nov 29, 2021

They can and are being used for just about anything, we had one at work and those guys were turning out some pretty neat stuff with them. The classic vehicle market certainly will benefit from this technology, things like lenses, grills etc.

Root Cause · Nov 29, 2021

Just a couple of years ago, they were making mold components to produce 5-10 plastic prototype parts. Now they have metal printers making steel parts in just hours that is at a hardened for high production. Customers were waiting weeks or months for proto parts. Now they can have them in hand in days.

I also see these coming online on assembly lines for low-volume parts. I can see this helping with the supply chain issues even if it means limping along. It's better than getting nothing out the door.

LittleBill21 · Dec 4, 2021

So @paulsharvey , which one you buying?

arizona98tj · Dec 4, 2021

I bought a 3D printer about a year ago. As with most tech, there is a learning curve. My advice is to join a few FB groups or other online forums that support the particular model you are interested in....then read a LOT. I do RC flying and surface vehicles for a hobby and so use my printer to make components and parts for that. As I type this, I'm printing the parts for building two RC airplanes, for myself and a friend. My winter project is to learn a 3D design program so I can make what I want instead of trying to find an online file printing something close to what I want. In my opinion, a 3D printer is far from "plug and play". It takes time and frustration to learn how to properly use it. Which model you get will, to some degree, dictate how much time and frustration is required.

paulsharvey · Dec 4, 2021

LittleBill21 said:
So @paulsharvey , which one you buying?

Not sure yet. Don't want to dive in too deep, because this might be the kinda thing that gets put in a corner and forgotten. Seems like a lot a sketchy websites, found an Ender 3 Pro for $99; but not getting warm and fuzzy from the website; yamas.shop; found some other good deals on misc websites too, but...

I want the Ender 3 V2, but when you can get a Ender 3 Pro for $100 less...