[Boomer]

Any advice about buying and/or using a 3D printer?

Did a 3D printer ever come in handy for you or is it basically a toy?

(I know nothing about them, but I need to know.)

Thanks.

Boomer

[Bjeanj]

Grandson in law got one and it took about 2 days to print 2 basic book ends. Don’t know what else he plans to do with it.

[DaveZ]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Any advice about buying and/or using a 3D printer?

Did a 3D printer ever come in handy for you or is it basically a toy?

(I know nothing about them, but I need to know.)

Thanks.

Boomer

I have a Prusa I3 MK3S+. I’ve made pretty amazing toys for my grandkids but that isn’t my main use. I’m a geek so I build robots and other items with that I either design or get designs for. Around the house I’ve used it to print parts for everything from broken drawers to solar lamp holders in the lanai.

I have also printed cabin upgrades for my Tesla and friends cars. Especially good for older cars where parts aren’t available. I have printed carriage hooks for LED wiring on my golf car. Good news is that you can usually find a part design for most things but if not you can modify or design your own. If you can imagine it, you can print it.

As to time, it can take hours to print depending on the quality you want. You can pick and play with that. Around the house stuff is usually a few hours. Longest print I’ve done is 30 hours for an extremely intricate, articulating Archaeopteryx model for my grandson.

There are many printers to choose from and all work well but if you want the least amount of work, best design, and overall print quality at a consumer price, checkout Prusa.

Happy printing!!

[Papa]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Any advice about buying and/or using a 3D printer?

Did a 3D printer ever come in handy for you or is it basically a toy?

(I know nothing about them, but I need to know.)

Thanks.

Boomer

You might be interested in attending the monthly 3D printer club meetings.
See HANDSONTECH.ORG - Home
There are 2 groups: Small Computers, and 3D Printing

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Boomer

Any advice about buying and/or using a 3D printer?

Did a 3D printer ever come in handy for you or is it basically a toy?

(I know nothing about them, but I need to know.)

Thanks.

Boomer

I know the kind of one line HATE HATE HATE this will draw by my not having a 3D printer so should NOT be responding at all. But as people say today, the word "printer" triggered me. I just HAD to express my JOY at the Epson Ink TANK printer I purchased just a month ago. No words to adequately describe how many pages this thing prints on a filling of ink, it goes on forever. Former printer cartridges cost minimum of $56 and did not make that many copies at all. Fortunately, friend who has had an ink tank printer and recommended we take a close look at this Epson model (2800 I think it is, NOT the top of the line), also told me that ink ordered from an one line company for about $5 or less a bottle, WILL NOT harm the printer and give vibrant prints. So, if you are wondering about ink tank printers, every good thing I heard has turned out to be true. For just average users (I use mine a LOT for my hobbies), ONE filling of the ink tanks would last more than a year. What a savings !
Nope, never worked for Epson, or any printer or tech company...just so happy I made this purchase !

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by DaveZ

I have a Prusa I3 MK3S+. I’ve made pretty amazing toys for my grandkids but that isn’t my main use. I’m a geek so I build robots and other items with that I either design or get designs for. Around the house I’ve used it to print parts for everything from broken drawers to solar lamp holders in the lanai.

I have also printed cabin upgrades for my Tesla and friends cars. Especially good for older cars where parts aren’t available. I have printed carriage hooks for LED wiring on my golf car. Good news is that you can usually find a part design for most things but if not you can modify or design your own. If you can imagine it, you can print it.

As to time, it can take hours to print depending on the quality you want. You can pick and play with that. Around the house stuff is usually a few hours. Longest print I’ve done is 30 hours for an extremely intricate, articulating Archaeopteryx model for my grandson.

There are many printers to choose from and all work well but if you want the least amount of work, best design, and overall print quality at a consumer price, checkout Prusa.

Happy printing!!

What started my thinking about 3D printers was someone complaining because her HOA approved mailbox's door had met its demise and to bring it back up to the HOA's standards was not easy to do. Parts could not be found and to replace the whole mailbox for the sake of the door would cost a ridiculous amount of money -- for a mailbox. ....

Well, that got me to thinking outside the box and so I said, "Ya know, I wonder if putting that money toward a 3D printer would do the job, be useful for other things, and a whole lot more fun and than getting fleeced by a mailbox company that corners the market, holding homeowners hostage because their mailbox MUST MATCH the other mailboxes in the neighborhood, so the markup on price is exorbitant and just plain silly."

Sounds like that just might work! TAKE THAT, Rip-off Mailbox Company! HAH!

Thank you.

Boomer

[villagetinker]

Boomer, please go to one above mentioned meeting as I believe you will find there can be a steep learning curve, especially with the software required to drive the printer. This is a 3D CAD system, and while I have had 3D CAD capability for several years, I have yet to be able to actually create a 3D CAD drawing. You (or your friend) may be able to have someone print a new door for you. Some systems have the capability to scan the original and make a copy.

[Boomer]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Boomer, please go to one above mentioned meeting as I believe you will find there can be a steep learning curve, especially with the software required to drive the printer. This is a 3D CAD system, and while I have had 3D CAD capability for several years, I have yet to be able to actually create a 3D CAD drawing. You (or your friend) may be able to hav e someone print a new door for you. systems have the capability to scan the original and make a copy.

Thank you, villagetinker.

But this mailbox is up north. Her husband is signing up for a class there and I bet he is going to love it. That sort of thing is right up his alley. (I wonder if he is the one who messed up the mailbox and is now on track to (maybe) get a 3D printer. . .Hmmmm, the plot thickens. We'll see how it goes. )

Boomer

[DaveZ]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Boomer, please go to one above mentioned meeting as I believe you will find there can be a steep learning curve, especially with the software required to drive the printer. This is a 3D CAD system, and while I have had 3D CAD capability for several years, I have yet to be able to actually create a 3D CAD drawing. You (or your friend) may be able to have someone print a new door for you. Some systems have the capability to scan the original and make a copy.

TinkerCad.com is very easy for beginners to use. I believe it’s an AutoCad product but it’s completely free for DIY. There are also very good (and quick) YouTube videos. You can also browse and “tinker” with plenty of designs people have uploaded. Not detailed like OpenCad (also free) or AutoCad but for most designs at home it is more than sufficient. Very fun and satisfying too.

The 3D printer uses software as anything connected to a computer does. It is called a Slicer and it takes a 3D model you’ve downloaded or created to slice and send to your printer. Left in “beginner” settings for your printer, they are no more complicated than the CriCut software home crafters use to make greeting cards or posters. They use the same types of files and principles. You can get into advanced options if you like and YouTube is always there.

3D scanners that a well heeled consumer can afford are less fun and for many replications they require more advanced CAD, learning, and patience to produce a printable model if it is even possible for the object. That said, there are 3D printable gantries for some phones you can download and try yourself for free.

3D printing isn’t for everyone but I want my posts to reflect that this technology is very accessible to anyone without pedigree or a club. A beginner can find themselves in a sea of 3D printer shoptalk that sounds complicated without seasoning, some of which experience on the first few prints will make clear. The price of printers and quality of software has improved in large part because many beginners are enjoying themselves and contributing.

I’ve joined the club villagetinker recommended and am looking forward to it. Thank you!

[villagetinker]

DaveZ,

Thank you for the clarifications, I will look into TinkerCAD, the CAD package I have is a full blown system, and really have not kept up with it over the last several years.

[GpaVader]

Just remember you don't have to design your own items either. You can get the STL files needed free on Thingiverse and lots of other sites as well. You can purchase them in other cases.
The club is fantastic and they have an onboarding ramp to help get you up to speed with past presentations available. I have an Ender 3 Neo and its a real work horse for $230 and I have a Mars resin printer that is about the same price for doing more detailed work. You don't need two but part of the presentations helps you decide what type of printer will best meet your needs.

[Rainger99]

Are there any stores in the area that have 3D printers that will print it for you?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

There are companies that makes prosthetics using 3D printer technology. I watched a video of one guy who made one for a duck who had a bad foot. It's pretty amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeZNkh4QDUI

A friend of mine has a 3D printer. He uses it mostly to create custom dice for gamers.

[retiredguy123]

I once had a dentist make a crown for me and completed it in about 2 hours using a 3D printer. No need for a temporary crown. But, I think most dentists prefer to use a temporary crown and let a lab make the permanent one, because it takes less of their time.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I once had a dentist make a crown for me and completed it in about 2 hours using a 3D printer. No need for a temporary crown. But, I think most dentists prefer to use a temporary crown and let a lab make the permanent one, because it takes less of their time.

Have you had any problems with the crown?