I am interested in getting a 3D printer but I have no idea where to even started. Is there such thing as a multi-purpose printer? What’s a good source to read up on printers, software, filament?
I am thinking small replacements items like drawer guides, funnel for espresso machine, essentially little parts and pieces that break around the house and farm. Also maybe some device cases (including outdoor ones) etc.
Ideally I don’t want a closed system. I have a Cricut for 10 years or so and I hate being locked into the app so much. Unless there is a really, really good reason.
Edited to add: Thank you all! What an amazing community!
Oh ok. Good to know. Somehow the Prusa speaks to me but I better look into user friendliness first!
The first thing I was thinking when you said “T” shape is to print upside down ☺️ I learned how to maximize space with the Cricut by flipping, turning etc. They don’t make it easy because they seem to encourage wasting material (which they sell too) so I get creative.
Actually, the best way to print a T shape is lying down ;) You will get a much stronger piece, because of the orientation of the layers.
Fair. I guess I have to start thinking 3D too!
Whatever you decide, I would highly recommend you get a CoreXY printer as the standard old “bed slinger” style of printer, where the bed moves back and forth along the Y axis, is now quite dated, slow and leads to lots of print issues especially for beginners. With a CoryXY construction, the bed is stationary apart from moving up and down along the Z axis and the nozzle moves on the X and Y axis.
For Prusa, this would be the CORE One. For Bambu this is the P1/P2, X1, or H2 series. Bambu is actually offering a sale starting today with the P1S at $399 USD or $549 USD with the AMS system (multi material).
Sounds good! P1S is good enough I don’t have to go for a P2S if I decide for one of those?
P2S definitely has some nice upgrades but AFAIK isn’t available for sale yet. Between the two I’d get the P2S but if you want to take advantage of the sale the P1S is still a good choice. $399 is less than I paid for my old bed slinger printer that needed constant tinkering and hundreds worth of upgrades after buying the printer. I currently have the X1C and just saw that I’ve hit 2800 hours of print time and apart from one repair at no cost to me has been totally rock solid with the number of failed prints countable on one hand.
I just see the price for the P1S here in Canada and yeah, much cheaper! Might be a good choice for a beginner printer! Thanks for the input