Considering 3d printing

ReadingBob · January 30, 2024, 07:43:03 PM

Okay. To kick off this new category what would be a good introductory 3d printer for a newbie? Pros? Cons? Help!

Software? YouTube videos?

deemery · January 30, 2024, 08:13:04 PM

To answer a question with another question: What 3D design software are you considering, Bob? I think in general there's good interoperability between 3d software and 3d printers, but if you've invested the time to learn a design application, you'll want to make sure your printer choices support it.

I spent an hour or two looking at a couple highly recommended package, spent about 10 minutes trying two of them, and said, "Ugh, learning one of these will be a -serious- investment of time. But I don't want a repeat of my SketchUp frustration, where I spent 3/4 of my time fighting the app, to get my project done."

dave

Jim Donovan · January 30, 2024, 10:00:11 PM

A new category 3D printing, I love it! First, 3D printing can be a hobby all to itself. I got into it to help improve my structure modeling such as unique windows and such, so I have learned as much as needed to accomplish this. However it can do far more if you invest the time and money. Second, there are two main methods of 3D printing, filament, where the resin comes on a roll, is fed into a nozzle, heated and placed on a platform. It can produce fairly large, complex items fairly quickly. The other is using a liquid resin in a vat having a clear bottom. A diode screen under the plate produces UV light in a pattern which hardens the layer formed between it and a vertical moving platen. It produces very fine detailed parts but is slower. That is what I use so my recommendations will be for that type of printing.

I started with the Anycubic 4K entry machine. Cost is about $150 from Amazon. It is a great machine to start with. Another similar quality machine is made by Elegoo, actually the Elegoo is a little better quality. There are rapid advancements happening with all 3D printers. I currently have on order my next machine that will be 14.4K. Higher K, higher resolution.

For resin I have settled on the Anycubic tough resin, cost is $27 a litre from Amazon but I wait for sales and stock up, usually at $20 a bottle.

You also need a UV dryer, they go for about a $100. The parts are only about 75 percent cured from printer and the dryer completely hardens the parts. Finally wear nitrile gloves so you don't get an allergy from the liquid resin.

As for programs I use Chitubox to make the design file useable to the printer. I use Tinkercad, which is free, for designing my parts. Took me about two weeks to understood the basics of it but it gets easy as time goes by. Also, and most importantly you don't need to design parts to print parts. There are many sites like Thngverse and Cults that have free or inexpensive files you can down load and go straight to the printer.

There are a ton of YouTube videos available, check the 'how to start' ones and you will quickly see what it can do for you. Hope that helps.

Jim

ANYCUBIC Resin 3D Printer, Photon Mono 2 3D Printer with 6.6" Monochrome LCD Screen Fast Printing, Upgraded LighTurbo Matrix, 6.49'' x 5.62'' x 3.5'' (HWD) 3D Printing Size https://a.co/d/1aJ9mLb

ReadingBob · January 31, 2024, 07:55:01 AM

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, Dave and Jim.

Before I purchase a printer, supplies, etc. I just want to make sure that the software side of things isn't going to discourage me. I'll look for some of the videos on YouTube and play around with the free software a bit. This is one of the things I want to look into once I retire so it won't happen until May at the earliest.

Keep It Rusty · January 31, 2024, 07:58:31 AM

Some great replies here already.

I own both filament (PLA) and resin (SLA) printers. They both serve specific tasks.

Filament is perfect for printing accessories I may need around my shop. Be it a sorter box, vacuum adapter, painting handle... you name it. It's the perfect tool for the job.

For all my detail parts that I include in my dioramas and kits, that's where resin comes in. SLA cannot be beaten for resolution here.

Elegoo is an excellent brand. The Mars lineup are true workhorses.

As Jim mentioned, there are many sites to source files from. Sometimes they are fit for purpose, other times not. You may find it frustrating sourcing what you really need. With that in mind, first learning CAD software is the first real step. Teach a man to fish and all that. Tinkercad is an excellent, free and easy to learn tool to get started.

GPdemayo · January 31, 2024, 09:11:05 AM

This looks like it will develop into an interesting topic that some of are completely unfamiliar with.....looking forward to all the posts.

Rollin · January 31, 2024, 11:16:56 AM

Bob, you might want to try out TinkerCad. It is free, runs in the browser, not as a stand alone application. Chrome is recommended for this. I have messed around just a little with this. My results have been mixed, but that is to be expected when just starting out.

When I had a finished file project, I sent it to my local library system, which has some tech labs in some locations. For just the cost of the filament, I got back printed objects. While I might consider buying a machine in the future, this is a great way to try out the process.

A quick look online shows that the Seminole County library has this service. Other folks check your locale. There are also 'Maker Spaces' that cater to hobbyists in their communities.

I'm eager to see what this topic will grow into.

Rail and Tie · January 31, 2024, 02:05:45 PM

I got my first resin 3d Printer back in 2014. $5000 dental printer that does less than today's Elegoo Mars 3Pro. It had 25micron resolution and a print area of 1.3" by 2". After a number of different printers along the way, we have settled on a farm of Elegoo Mars3Pro's and 4Pro's. Great little workhorses and never skips a beat. Same resolution, but a fraction of the price.

Here is a PDF of a powerpoint I did a couple of years back on Laser cutting and 3D printing. A bit dated because of the speed at which resin printer resolution is changing, but all still relevant for getting into 3D printing. Hope it helps.

deemery · January 31, 2024, 04:33:44 PM

That's a nice overview, Darryl, thanks!

dave

Keep It Rusty · February 01, 2024, 07:12:38 AM

I made a post on my website some time ago that may provide interesting reading for some of you:

https://keepitrusty.com/3d-printing-for-scale-modeling/

KentuckySouthern · January 23, 2025, 10:51:15 AM

This topic seems to have died on the vine...too bad, it's a very intriquing topic.

Summer '24 I purchased an Elegoo Mars3 Pro, set it all up and made one test print. I used their water washable resin and did the Rook chess piece, printed it, post processed it. It turned out well. But, later when the Doll (wife), came home she seemed to think her coughing was due to the resin odor, mild, to me. I've not used it since. Also not allowed to paint indoors with spray cans, either. $:-\$

I've investigated but not acted on multiple air removal options but sort of lost the inspiration, I have it in a big wooden door fully enclosed one time entertainment center. The printer has a carbon filter that plugs into it and maybe when it's warmer weather I may try a extraction fan like the hydroponic growers, Dope Growers, use. Big "hobby" in Michigan.

Enuf for now, anyone have 3d adventures to share?

KarlS in mid Michigan

KentuckySouthern · January 23, 2025, 10:53:23 AM

Quote from: Keep It Rusty on February 01, 2024, 07:12:38 AMI made a post on my website some time ago that may provide interesting reading for some of you:

https://keepitrusty.com/3d-printing-for-scale-modeling/

Any new information on your experience(s)?

Rail and Tie · January 24, 2025, 10:32:18 PM

With the sub- 25 micron printers now as the standard, no detail is too small to capture it would seem. Here are some recent prints done for our kits (HO shown).

I have been impressed with what will print and be robust enough to paint/handle.

Regarding the odor's from resin printing. No way around it other than carbon filters and ventilation. Most of the smell comes from cleaning process after printing so you get the smells of resin mixed with rubbing alcohol or Methyl Hydrate! It is a messy game, but the results can be staggering if you work at it.

ReadingBob · January 25, 2025, 01:07:08 PM

Amazing details there, Darryl!

I didn't pull the trigger on a 3D printer because I wanted to see if I could learn the software side of things first. Unfortunately, I'm rather enjoying retirement and haven't felt like playing with computers all that much since I retired. Maybe that will change.

Rail and Tie · January 25, 2025, 09:53:26 PM

Quote from: ReadingBob on January 25, 2025, 01:07:08 PMAmazing details there, Darryl!

I didn't pull the trigger on a 3D printer because I wanted to see if I could learn the software side of things first. Unfortunately, I'm rather enjoying retirement and haven't felt like playing with computers all that much since I retired. Maybe that will change.

Yup. The printing part is actually the easy part. The difficult and time consuming part is doing the 3D model in CAD. It is a whole hobby in itself. You can make anything for almost free, but what is your time worth?