[Lab] your personal experience with 3d printing

[j ross]

I own a Makerbot Replicator 2X and an Ultimaker 2.  There are lots of great
printers around right now, but after doing my own research I recently
settled on the Ultimaker 2. Not cheap, but it's open, great quality, has
all the points that Stephan mentioned (standard filament, heated bed, large
print area, open, etc.) great community, good software, hackable and very
reliable (as this gen of printers goes) and takes lots of different
filaments.  I've done many successful ABS and PLA prints with it - no
problems so far.  In my opinion, it's a solid, no regrets choice if it's
within your budget.
My Makerbot 2X is getting a brain transplant - the main board fried after
the stepper cable came loose - too many demos.  I've replaced it (almost
done) with a smoothie board since I (like many others) have become quite
disenchanted with Makerbot of late.

Jeff

On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 3:42 PM, Tom Burns <tom.i.burns at gmail.com> wrote:

> I own two 3d printers*
>
> * if you consider kickstarter payment to be "ownership".. Neither have
> shipped yet.  Peachy printer's a year overdue, and the Genesis Duo's now
> talking about being 4 months or so late.
>
> The technology's changing very quickly so I'd suggest you buy the best
> available printer when you're ready, and not buy into a project that will
> likely be out of date by the time it's ready.
>
>
> On Mon, Aug 24, 2015 at 3:23 PM, Stephen Burke <steve at envirolaser.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Benoit,
>>
>> My personal experience over the past 6 years has taught me that if you
>> want to build one, and this is your first 3D printer, make sure it is a
>> VERY simple kit, otherwise it may become one of those unfinished projects.
>>
>> It would make sense in high school only if the focus was assembling a
>> device, not necessarily using it.  You can expect to put 30 to 40 hours
>> into assembling a 3D printer, and another 10+ making sure it works properly
>> and consistently.
>>
>> If the need is to have a working 3D printer for use in class as a tool to
>> make projects, then buy a printer that allows for generic filament and uses
>> open source components and software.  Find something that can handle
>> multiple materials (PLA, Nylon, ABS, Carbon Fibre, etc), has a heated build
>> plate, and a large print volume (8” x 8” x 6” or larger is nice).  A
>> machine like this will have very few limitations so it could be used for
>> multiple projects.
>>
>> I sell 3D printers from MakerBot, ROBO, 3D Systems, Cubify, Full Spectrum
>> and, maybe soon, Printrbot.  I also sell a wide variety of filaments from
>> Taulman 3D, ColorFabb, FlashForge, Proto-pasta and MakerBot.
>>
>> Chances are, I will have the 3D printer and material that will suit your
>> needs for your high school.
>>
>> Stephen Burke
>> 3D Artist
>>
>>
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>
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