Comment on Got my first printer, what else do I need? Any tips on setup?
Rentlar@lemmy.ca 2 days ago
What’s your goal, to take random designs other people made and print them, or to make your own stuff for fun or for some practical purpose?
The first original thing I’d made was a box to hold double-A batteries.
The slicer converts code to suit your printer. I use CURA for that.
Just ensure that you have your bed and extruder temps set right, and you pick an infill setting you like (I go 15-20% and Cubic).
Only other software you need is 3d modeling software to make your own models. I’ve used Blender and FreeCAD but more expensive professional tools will work too.
clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
The kids want to print (what is in my eyes) random junk. I’ll try to make some brackets and holders for stuff, which should be a fun challenge.
Thank you for the tips! I’ve listened in on a bunch of threads here, and I’ve learned a bunch of terms but have no experience. should be fun!
squaresinger@lemmy.world 1 day ago
I stopped printing toys. They kids loved to watch them being printed, but they are usually not fun to play. Single-color, low detail, low durability, really not what you want for kids toys.
They usually play with a print for a few minutes and then toss it into their box of toys, never to be played with again. It’s a waste of plastic. It’s literally printing junk.
clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 1 day ago
That was my main reason for voting “no”, but I was outvoted by my wife.
squaresinger@lemmy.world 1 day ago
Hey, if the wife supports the 3D printing hobby, I think that’s worth printing a bit of garbage.
cecilkorik@piefed.ca 2 days ago
Once you get the hang of the basics, the “Articulated” models of various creatures are lots of fun for kids. A lot of them have already seen them at school. Surprisingly easy to print. You may need to use a brim or raft on some of them to make sure the small contact patch on each of the segments gets enough bed adhesion, but other than that, they print-in-place with no assembly required.
clay_pidgin@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
We have a few octopodes and things like that around the house from the library. They’re big fans!