Ender 3 is pretty good introductory model and does nice prints with little effort.
Comment on I designed a cardboard cutter that turns boxes into free cat scratchers
Today@lemmy.world 1 day agoI’ve been thinking about getting a 3D printer. Well, yesterday I decided I need a 3D printer. I know nothing at all. What should I get?
ikidd@lemmy.world 1 day ago
EvilBit@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I have an AnkerMake M5 and it’s gloriously painless. There are intrinsic unavoidable challenges to 3D printing, but this thing has been incredible for casual creation.
Today@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Do I need the M5 or can I get away with the m5c? I really know nothing about it or how much material things need. I just want to make cool things. How much filament did your cardboard cutter require?
EvilBit@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I’m not the OP but I went ahead and bought his file and sliced* it and with 20% infill, it will require about 77g of filament. So with one normal spool, you could print 12 of them.
I can only vouch directly for the M5, but looking into the differences, it looks like the M5C would be a solid option. I would miss the onboard camera and the ability to check my prints and get notifications of suspicious issues, but the printer itself is more or less the same otherwise.
- Slicing is the process where a program takes the 3D model and turns it into layer by layer instructions for the printer and where you configure lots of settings such as infill, which is how much of the interior of the model is printed with a lattice for structural support. Prints are rarely 100% solid material but rather a hull with infill.
Today@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I ordered the m5c. I got the printer, 13 lb of material, and some accessories for $339. Can’t wait to make some Braille Play-Doh presses.
conciselyverbose@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
A lot of libraries offer 3D printing for about the cost of materials.
It’s worth trying out before dropping huge cash if it’s possible near you.
bbuez@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I own an Ender 3, 5, and a Prusa Mini. The mini is by far my most reliable printer, but both enders have had a lot of work done to them to get them where they are… and not quite click to print yet.
At one of my jobs I maintained some 35 Prusa Mk3s, about a dozen Elegoo’s, and witnessed their graveyard of Anycubics and some other brands. The Prusa’s generally only needed to be unclogged or have their nozzle changed less than once a month, with only a couple failures per week max, the room also was not temperature controlled and they had some… questionable engineering practices.
The elego’s were like pulling teeth, needing glue to keep it adhered, frequent clogs and skips, thermistors needing replacement after under 100 print hours, blobbing would get into the part coolig fans. Small leveling knobs. Prusa’s IMO were designed to be serviceable, but seem to need it way less.
Especially at a business, the premium on Prusa printers over say bambu labs is well worth their customer support. Ive never used a Bambu so I cant necessarily recommended or not, and I do wish I had an MMU on the cheap as you’d get with their mini, but Im most pleased with my Prusa mini
Today@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I looked at prusa and pretty quickly realized that I couldn’t afford them.
bbuez@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Check local sales, as much as I hate Facebook, marketplace around me sometimes has some nice steals, like my OG ender 5 for 100$, and that job was selling off their Prusa MK3s to afford MK4s about half off. You never know -o-
Today@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Oh that’s a good idea. I should have checked there. Bought the ankermake m5c for 339 including 15# of material and accessories.
SpaceNoodle@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Bambu Labs A1 Mini
Kickass3DPrints@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I have a 3D printer buyer’s guide on my website that lists a few. I mostly use and would recommend any Bambu printer, there’s a few that can suit any price range. Elegoo also make good printers too which won’t break the bank
pineapplelover@lemm.ee 1 day ago
I don’t recommend bambu because they’re locked in and against right to repair. I have an Elegoo Neptune 4 pro that works great. If you have more money, Prusas are great too.