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.
Comment on Choosing my first printer is driving me mad.
bluGill@fedia.io 3 days ago
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.
CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 3 days ago
bluGill@fedia.io 3 days ago
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
Obi@sopuli.xyz 3 days ago
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.
cmnybo@discuss.tchncs.de 3 days ago
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.
MxRemy@piefed.social 3 days ago
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.