Anyone else in this boat? It was said by a Bamboo user when I was chatting about my modded Maker Select and the Voron I’m about to build.
I do use the printer a lot for designing and making projects like the sensors I just launched or the Twystlock for Steam Deck, etc.
But I like tinkering/making more. For example I used to mod video game consoles more than I played them, so the comment made sense to me.
Anyone else in this boat?
It’s called a benchy, dude
As someone that uses the exact same comparison. I do try to make it clear that they are both valid hobbies but you need to be honest which your hobby is when picking a printer. For a lot of the Ender and similar printer owners they really do have a 3D Printer hobby specifically.
I’m a Bambu user (sorry). My Dad bought me a ln A1 Mini for my birthday 6 months ago, and I’ve since bought a second mini with the AMS, and a big-boy A1. I have them set up in a converted garden shed along with my laser (Laserpecker 4). I insltalled AC, radiant barrier, and insulation. and put up a bunch of Skadis wallboard, added some workbenches along 3 sides of the room, etc. Turns out the previous owner had seriously screwed up the electrical service to the building (plugs would operate at different voltages depending on how many breakers were turned on - scary stuff), so last week I ran new electrical service from the pole to the building (about a 300ft trench).
I’ve printed hundreds of hangers for the skadis wall and laser ventilation systems, etc. I’ve designed custom mounts for my laser accessories, custom conduit for some of the electrical lines (nothing exposed to the elements), and more.
I’m worried because my project for the past 6 months has been creating the perfect hobby space, and I’m almost done.
I don’t know what to do after that…
Definitely a valid thing to have. Imo, as long as it provides value to you creatively or intellectually, then it’s a worthwhile hobby. It sounds like you are using it as well, so that’s just a bonus really.
I’m halfway into that mindset, but got myself a bambu after fighting an Ender 3 for so long and for now at least I’m content to just have a working printer instead of a half assembled one 80% of the time. So many calibration cubes.
Machines are a means to an end. Not the end in and of itself. It just depends on what YOUR ends turn out to be.
There is nothing wrong with having your printer be the hobby. It’'s a valid part of of the printing hobby and the current state of 3D printing wouldn’t be it is right now. And Bambu has done nothing new that hobbyists weren’t already doing as a hobby to modify their machines. So I wouldn’t worry much about what a Bambu owner thinks.
That’s what hobbies are, my man. It’s cool to be into something and you’re out sharing what you’re learning with others, letting them benefit from your experience so they can focus on the aspects of 3D printing they’re interested in.
Keep enjoying yourself; that’s all that matters!
Also the Twystlock is crazy cool and it’s really awesome you shared it with the community!
Man I dunno I have an Ender 3 (S1) and while I did do quite a lot of fiddling and a few upgrades with it I’m done at this point and basically just have to replace a belt or nozzle once in a while I dunno it’s been pretty stable for a year or two now
That’s not a printer hobby then, it’s just a cheaper but more time intensive way to get to a printing hobby.
If you enjoyed the process all the better.
Not everyone has the cash to shell out for a Prusa or Bambu - getting an ender and upgrading it can represent 50+ hours of work but $400+ in savings.
Dude was just gatekeeping you and assigning you labels. Do what you enjoy, ignore the haters
Nah he was accurately pointing out what he enjoyed more, and that realization is important.
If your hobby is printers not printing then you should look into kits and more interesting designs. Build a voron or a ratrig - not a Mk4.
If you want to print above all else that’s not the right way to do it.
If you wanna do both that’s also totally valid - but there are 2 different hobbies in 3d printing. There’s a printer hobby and a printing hobby. Some people like only one. Some like both.
I lean heavily printing not printer. I have a buddy who pushes for sub 10 benchy and doesn’t really do much else besides novelty prints.
