3D printers

I've been looking at buying a 3D printer, after 3 days my head is spinning and I still don't know which way to go!
I'm sure alloy frame is the best way to go, but then what's the best axis configuration?
Then there's Controller software, Cura, Repetier-Host, Printrun, and I'm sure there are others, can you change between them?
I'm at the stage where I've asked Simon and Tony and I'm still no further ahead. I'm looking to spend about 250quid, any ideas anyone?

i would go for the Anet like simon has.
with a few mods it works very well for a hobbyist.

Tony B

I do wish you hadn't said that Tony! [badass] I was going to ask if this would be OK.
I like the cube design which means you cancel the 'out of vertical forces' and 2 Z motors means that you don't have to carry the Z drive across the frame with a toothed belt.
The problem I see with the inverted T design is the tower can lean against the acceleration of the print head when you're printing very tall objects.
There may be other drawbacks to either design, comments please, even if you think it's a stupid comment.

the reviews for it are not great Tony.

but as with most things, you pays your money and takes your chances.

I'd sell you my old Anet A8 if i could figure out how to take it apart again and then get it to SA.

Tony B

Klippy
I can understand the structural advantage of the cube design but you do have to wonder why it is being sold at such a discount.
I am not sure the design uses any less belts than say the Anet but it does have all its the cables contained with cable chains
- which I have added to my Anet .
I do have a concern that all the printing takes place right at the top of the cube (note the head generate significant loads as it is accelerated) so there is the potential of some 'flexing' (loss of accuracy) as the cube itself has no diagonal bracing.
The electrical supply requirement looks a bit alarming. 220/100 V (fine) but 30A! That I very much doubt! :woohoo:

Well I bought an online copy of '3D printing for dummies'. Am I any the wiser, no, but I've put everything together with what Simon and Tony have had to say and it came down to a choice between this or or this
I went for the first one in the end, I felt the E2 looked a bit flimsy even though it's an alloy frame.
Thanks for looking and helping.

The A6 looks to be a good printer and has come down a lot in price since i last looked.

now the fun starts.

Tony B

Although I know nothing about 3d printers, I would say the one chosen will in my opinion pay for its self in a very short time, it looks quite a lot of printer for a very good price.
I'm sure you will have plenty of things to make .

Was going to say take a look at the Wanhao D4S works straight from the box heated bed dual extruders then saw the current price and they have gone up a huge amount only paid £400 for mine a couple of years ago

Thanks for that, all comments gratefully received. Being an inveterate 'tinkerer' I wanted something that needed to be built up so that I could also see how it works. The half lifetime I spent fixing and programming CNC machines will also come in useful. If you look at my profile you'll see I live in the bush and importing large objects becomes a very costly exercise. As it was the Anet cost me 156Gbp, carriage another 65 and Customs will probably rush another 50 or so. I'm ever minded that the up front cost can easily double.

[badass]
MY 3D PRINTER HAS PAID FOR ITSELF (£400) ON THE SR-71 ALONE
2 X ENGINE CONES
2 X REAR ENGINE CYLINDERS (INNER)
2 X REAR ENGINE CYLINDERS (OUTER)
14 X AFTER BURNER SHAPES
28 X CORRUGATED WING INSERTS
1 X LARGE NOSE CONE
2 X NOSE WHEEL DOORS
1 X UNDER BODY TURBINE COVER AND GRILL
30 X NACELLE INTAKES
PILOT
ALL THE SERVO HORNS
AND MANY MORE
SO REALLY IT`S A WIN WIN SITUATION

Thankyou James! I have no doubt my printer will give me many hours of fun. My next problem is to learn a 3D Cad program.

most people use fusion 360.

Tony B

At $25/mth I can't afford Fusion, as a retired hobbyist I'm quite prepared to pay a once off, to show willing. When I wanted to use Mach3 for my CNC Router/Laser engraver I could use it free as long I didn't exceed 500 lines/program. A small once off , which I paid, allowed me to have as many lines as my memory would allow

i uae "blender" as it is free, but some peple find it hard to master.
there are lots of "how too" vidos on you tube.

Tony B