3D Printed vs styrene: Post best tips and techniques

[thud83]

I am on the verge of pulling the trigger and getting a 3d Printer. I understand that they are quite a bit different than building a styrene plastic model out of the box. Can you experts post your secrets here? I'd like to learn from your experience.

 

[Astyanax]

First question: You mentioned plastic models. What kinds of models and parts (especially how small) do you envision printing? This helps us point you in the right direction. The tips and tricks for FDM vs. the tips and tricks for SLA will be fairly different.

Second question: How savvy do you consider yourself with computers and hardware?

Third question: Are you interested in getting into the "zen" of the process for fine detail and calibration, or are you more interested in "plug and play" for "good enough" precision?

Fourth question: Do you have a garage or shed space to set up and keep fumes away from living spaces?

 

[TazMan2000]

I agree with Astyanax. You should have a plan on what you want to print, because that would dictate which direction you should go. But with prices being lower nowadays, you can go both ways FDM and SLA. Read over articles in the General modeling section regarding 3D printing and you'll see that there are many pros and cons.

Almost everyone here that has one has probably pulled their hair out trying to find out why their model failed to print properly and worked through the strife to figure out the problems and has created some pretty amazing stuff. Some have painstakingly sanded every section of their 3D print and filled holes or crevasses and came out with a work of art, but there some who have taken less care and just slapped some paint on and were satisfied with that. So you have to figure out what type of builder you are.

While most new printers have technology that reduces the amount of failed prints, you're still going to get some and you have to accept it and be willing to adjust your printer when needed. Accept that you will be frustrated. There are thousands of videos on YouTube to help you figure out your problems as well as a lot of other information online to help you diagnose issues.

But if you can get past that, you no longer have to buy models in boxes that have a manufactured scale. You can print what you want. Learn how to subdivide models and you can print out a full sized car if you really want. You can also buy stuff that you could never find as a kit. Design repair parts for stuff around the home, etc.

You don't necessarily need to have an outdoor space for printing, like a garage or shed, but if you're using an SLA printer, you might want to devise some sort of venting for the fumes, as long term exposure is not good. FDM printers are usually louder, so don't expect to have one that won't bug someone else in the house or apartment. Some prints in either SLA or FDM can take several hours, or in the case of FDM can take days if you're printing something very large.

TazMan2000

 

[3Dsf]

Then there's the obvious thing that styrene kits require solvent cement, whereas 3D prints require epoxy or superglue or the like.

 

[thud83]

Thank you for your replies! I have well ventilated area that I'm setting up for the printer, and I have been reading a lot about how to get the best print. Initially, I plan on building other people's designs. I will move on to designing my own stuff eventually.

How building the printed parts? 3Dsf mentioned epoxy or superglue, which I was counting on. How about fitting, finishing, painting, etc?

 

[Astyanax]

The answers to those questions depend on what kind of printer you get and what material you're working with. Happy to point you in the right direction, but please see my questions above!