Edit: wow I’m overwhelmed by all the help I received in this thread, I was gonna reply to everyone but it’s gotten to a lot. You’ve all given me a lot to think about, thank you so much.
Hello there, hope everyone is doing well. I could use a bit of help/wisdom choosing my first FDM machine.
I get it, the technology has advanced a lot and I’m so lucky to be getting into this when I am, spoiled for choice with great options which is kind of the problem.
Realistically, my main goal is building functional, engineering style parts for my work as a cinematographer, think things like custom viewfinders, cable ties, precision rollers, and general parts and accessories for my rigs.
I do have a kid and family home too so I’ll definitely want some toys for him and knick-knacks for the house but that’s secondary.
So I know I need an enclosed core-XY with high temp hardened steel nozzles/heated bed for these special abrasive engineering materials.
I don’t want 3D printing itself to be my hobby, but I definitely know how to tinker, I’m also not half bad with CAD/3D modelling.
Folks recommend Bambu but I’m also conscious of much cheaper options available that would do what I need.
I think I’m almost settled on the elegoo Centauri Carbon, but I’m worried about regretting not having multi-color right away (they’re supposedly bringing an AMS style add-on but it’s not there yet), and even when it does, it’ll have the massive waste issue all these systems have.
So then there’s the brand new options that are just coming out like the Snap maker U1 which sounds amazing but I dunno about getting something so new and apparently they don’t have great track record.
Also looked at creality, flash forge, Audi Q2… It seems I discover a new brand/option every day even after a month of research, lmao.
So, what are your opinions? What would you get as someone in my situation? I’d rather not spend too much on the printer (hence not listing Prusa) but I also don’t want buyer’s remorse and wanting to upgrade in a few months, ideally I get a work-horse that’ll serve me for years to come right away and skip the upgrade paths…
Thanks in advance for your thoughts 🙏
Do you need one? There is a 3d printing service near me that has better printers than I could afford that is happy to print for me. For many the cost of a service is less than printer for as little as they really print so something to think about. Check your options. If 3d printing isn’t the hobby but a means this might be your better option. Don’t forget that once you agree to outsource creating parts you get access to wood, metals, and additional plastics. You also get many more processes (injection molding, lathe, milling machines, SLA/Resin printers) which lets give you many more options. And you get access to machines that wouldn’t even fit in your garage.
I’m not saying don’t get a 3d printer. For some it is the right decision. I’m saying don’t overlook the other options. Even if you get a 3d printer you should use the other services instead of making everything a nail just because you have a hammer.
I have been printing some prototypes for something my coworker is designing after he initially went with one of these print services and they charged him $40 for a tiny little 1" tube that costs me literal pennies to print and about 20 minutes of print time. I would only recommend these services in extreme circumstances because they’ll really price gouge you.
That is an important point - prices are all over as is service. If they reprint failed prints at ‘no charge’ that is worth a lot as well
I would add to this, see if your local library either already offers such a service, or else would consider it if enough people ask. The one I work for does it and our prices are much, much lower than similar commercial services.
I’ve abused a friend with a P1S before but the reason I want my own is because I find that I want to try things out, make a test print, rework the design, refine the tolerances, etc etc. You make a good point about getting access to the other technologies and materials though, I’ll see if I have something like this closeby as well.
Printing services are not good if you’re designing your own parts and need to make test prints to get things to fit. It will take a month or more instead of a day to go through several iterations and cost a lot of money too.