Comment on Looking to get my first 3d printer, any suggestions?
ptc075@lemmy.zip 2 weeks ago
FWIW, I bought a new Ender3 as a kit not too long ago, it was $150 IIRC. And by being forced to assemble it, I learned a good bit too. It might be worthwhile to watch their store & see if they put it up for sale again.
The only upgrade I’ve done that I really felt made a difference was buying an enclosure for it. Nothing fancy, it’s a fireproof bag over an aluminum frame. Even more than controlling the temperature, it also keeps it dust free when not in use - that’s probably the biggest win for me.
As for buying the used one - these things do wear down. Start by checking the feed gear & the PTFE tube. If the filament feeds well, then also check the belts, rollers, & nozzle. Those are really the common wear items imo. Perhaps obvious, but make sure the seller gives you a copy of the slicing software (should be free on their webpage) and also the little USB-A to Sim card doo-hickey that you need to move files back & forth.
Ozymandias88@feddit.uk 2 weeks ago
Ive had an ender 3 pro for about 5 years. Setting it up was straight forward I just followed a YouTube video which had some tips to help make sure the frame was square.
Ive never used the included slicer. Only Cura which is pretty great.
It’s definitely not the fastest but it’s a great beginner 3d printer and there is no requirement to tinker with it. I just level the bed and print each time. No problems 5 years in. (I did have to replace the removable print bed top at one point but that was partly because I’d gouged it before I learned how to level it)