Need help with buying a 3D Printer

[TheSlicingEdge]

I am interested in 3D printing. I don't really want to spend a lot of money though. I found this kick starter, https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1403065126/trinus-the-affordable-all-metal-3d-printer/community

Now everything about it looks good, except it uses Pango as a printing software. So is pango user friendly? Is it easy to work with? It can't be that bad if all I am doing in Pango is putting my STL file in and making sure it will properly print right?

 

EDIT:

I took a maker camp for 3D printing so I have basic knowladge of CAD software like Sketchup.

Edited April 16, 2016 by TheSlicingEdge

[Bittenfleax]

It says you can use other software in the video.

 

Ive never personally used/owned a 3D printer. So I cant really comment.

 

If it was me however, I would not worry too much about the software as long as it has positive reviews. I can learn how to use it.

[TheSlicingEdge]

2 minutes ago, Bittenfleax said:

It says you can use other software in the video.

 

Ive never personally used/owned a 3D printer. So I cant really comment.

 

If it was me however, I would not worry too much about the software as long as it has positive reviews. I can learn how to use it.

Mkay... 

[Moonzy]

metal 3D printer? gonna have a hard time looking for the filaments i guess

[TheSlicingEdge]

3 minutes ago, Moonzy said:

metal 3D printer? gonna have a hard time looking for the filaments i guess

no it dosnt print metal.

[the21robot]

Hi, I recently bought a prusa i3. It was about 220, but it took forever to set up. 

[Hackentosher]

Alright, prepare yourself for some knowledge. You want to stay away from 3D printers that are on kick starter. If you hear about them from kickstarter and not a professional ad, that means they don't have enough money to build their product, let along advertise properly. Next, I have learned the hard way that when it comes to 3D printers, less is less. You do get what you pay for in the quality of the parts, how sketchy the electronics are, and how well the damn thing works when you pull it out of the box/finish putting it together. There is quite a juxtaposition between spending $1000+ on a printer, or $500>. 

 

Word on the street is that the Printrbots are some of the best damn printers you can get for less than a thousand, but they're still not as good as a more refined machine such as the Ultimaker. They have limitations, build volume, speed, lack of proper heating and cooling of the print. But I can guarantee you that a Printrbot will perform a lot better and cause much fewer headaches than an unfinished product from kickstarter.

 

See my signature for suggestions.

[TheSlicingEdge]

4 minutes ago, Hackentosher said:

SNIP

Thanks alot this was helpful I will not be buying the Trinus. What printer do you have? I checked out your sig some of them look good for my budget.

[Hackentosher]

Just now, TheSlicingEdge said:

Thanks alot this was helpful I will not be buying the Trinus. What printer do you have? I checked out your sig some of them look good for my budget.

I have an Ultimaker Original that now has a heated bed upgrade kit on it. Prints like a dream.

[Bittenfleax]

17 hours ago, TheSlicingEdge said:

no it dosnt print metal.

It does Alluminium though

[Hackentosher]

13 hours ago, Bittenfleax said:

It does Alluminium though

ummm, no. Printers that can print in metal use a laser to melt metal power (such as aluminum) layer by layer into the figure. They also cost more than your house. This little $300 probable piece of garbage will only do PLA out of the box, and ABS with the addition of a heated bed.

[Bittenfleax]

8 hours ago, Hackentosher said:

ummm, no. Printers that can print in metal use a laser to melt metal power (such as aluminum) layer by layer into the figure. They also cost more than your house. This little $300 probable piece of garbage will only do PLA out of the box, and ABS with the addition of a heated bed.

On the Kickstarter video, he said it prints aluminum?!!!! I know it is probably not full aluminum and some crappy compound, but it still is aluminum. 

[Hackentosher]

5 hours ago, Bittenfleax said:

On the Kickstarter video, he said it prints aluminum?!!!! I know it is probably not full aluminum and some crappy compound, but it still is aluminum. 

Usually metallic filaments are just PLA with metal powder mixed in. Check out Colorfabb copperfil.

[bob345]

I would be wary of that 3d printer. I have yet to see a 3d printer kick starter that aims for a price and quality like that succeed. I can tell you right now there is no way in hell they will be able to sell a 3d printer with a linear rail system like that at $299 and still have enough money left to pay their employees. Far too small of a margin.

[Hackentosher]

1 hour ago, bob345 said:

I would be wary of that 3d printer. I have yet to see a 3d printer kick starter that aims for a price and quality like that succeed. I can tell you right now there is no way in hell they will be able to sell a 3d printer with a linear rail system like that at $299 and still have enough money left to pay their employees. Far too small of a margin.

Even if they do pull it off for that price, there will be a compromise somewhere. More than likely, the electronics. I know from unfortunate first hand experience that bad electronics are more of a pain than the hit a more expensive printer would have on your wallet. Everyone likes the idea of cheap, but with 3D printers, you really do get what you pay for.