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!
For starters, you’re going to want an FDM printer. Resin printers can be nice, but there’s a lot more complexity to handle when you’re just figuring out how to print stuff.
I’ve been using an Ender 3 V3 KE for a few years. It’s been pretty solid. I can use any slicer I want, but the one from the manufacturer, Creality Print, has been pretty good for me. Most printers can use any slicer you choose, though the slicer designed for that printed will often give better results (until you figure out what specific settings you need).
Choose a budget, and then look for a printer with a direct drive extruder, auto leveling bed, and a heated plate. An enclosure is very nice, but I did fine for years without one. I recently bought an aftermarket enclosure after I started doing more PETG prints.
Multi filament is a cool feature, but that’s up to you if you want to pay for that. It does create a lot of waste, and you can always tell the printer to pause at certain points for you to change filaments for those times you want to do different colors.
Overall, I always recommend a simple-but-good printer at a reasonable price when getting started. Having convenience features will make the whole process easier, which I find makes it easier to learn.
Thanks. Right now I can’t see multi colour to be something that I need. I thought I need an enclosure if I am (eventually) aiming for something that’s used outdoors (UV protection?) but maybe I am getting ahead of myself here.
The enclosure just protects the prints from drafts, which can cause sharp corners to curl. The most common instance of curling I had was printing square shaped PETG parts that needed to be flat on the bottom. I got away with no enclosure for years by setting up my prints with tall, thick skirts close to the part (draft shield), and a thicker brim. I was basically tacking down the corners with extra plastic to keep them from curling up. However, PETG was just a bit too curly for this print.
The few times I absolutely needed draft protection, I used a trash bag. After I needed to do several batch prints for a cash job, I decided a $30 enclosure would be much more practical.
So far, my Ender 3 has met my needs very well. Any upgrade would be a “want” at this point.