Inexpensive 3D printer for small prop replication: Recommendations?

[kman]

So if I was to decide to try my hand at 3D printing, any systems that would be recommended to give a try? I'm posting here for what I hope is obvious reasons... my main use would likely be recreating small props, costume greeblies, etc. Not trying to sell anything, just for my own use and I assume favors for friends here and there. Is there anything good that doesn't cost over a grand?

 

[Darksyde13]

There are some decent printers at lower prices but the lower the cost, generally, the more fuss and bother. What is the max size you need it to work?

Printrbot Simple Metal (curent version, not the v2) is very reasonably priced and goes up to 6x6x6
Printrbot play is their entry level machine and goes up to 4x4x5
The M3D micro has gotten some good reviews as well and can print 3.5x3.5x4.5 (more or less)

If you are willing to make it a project and learn all the ins and outs of getting a machine to work from the ground up you can do the qubd oneup printer. It is super affordable but needs lots of love to get it dialed in just right. print volume is 4x4x5 (more or less)

 

[kman]

The PrintrBot Simple looks like the most likely contender, based on feedback here, on the FB group, and from some friends of mine who are heavy into 3D printing.

 

[Shotzy]

If your tech savy enough I'd recommend grabbing a kit, you can get one for around $150, also by building the machine yourself you will get a priceless amount of technical knowledge for how your printer will work!

 

[E Williams]

There are some decent printers at lower prices but the lower the cost, generally, the more fuss and bother. What is the max size you need it to work?

Printrbot Simple Metal (curent version, not the v2) is very reasonably priced and goes up to 6x6x6
Printrbot play is their entry level machine and goes up to 4x4x5
The M3D micro has gotten some good reviews as well and can print 3.5x3.5x4.5 (more or less)

If you are willing to make it a project and learn all the ins and outs of getting a machine to work from the ground up you can do the qubd oneup printer. It is super affordable but needs lots of love to get it dialed in just right. print volume is 4x4x5 (more or less)

Just a note on one of these - I briefly owned a M3d micro and it was a piece of junk. Avoid at all costs.

I have an Afinia 479, which is an older model that is still going strong. It's a workhorse and does well with ABS. The newer version (H480) is still available at $800 but there may be better options out there now.

 

[JamesPurcell]

I Had a reprap and it was more trouble then it was worth.

 

[johnojodo]

I started with a kit printer but quickly progressed to a wanhao i3, Its low priced easy to use and does a really nice job

 

[Serisium]

For low to medium price points, paying less money tends to get you a printer that needs more work out of the box. After 20-30 hours of work calibrating and modding, a $300 printer will produce prints about as good as a $600 printer will out of that box.

That being said, I have the Monoprice Maker Select($350), which is a clone of the wahnao i3 hardware. It produces good quality prints after some calibration, and I still have to build an enclosure for it and install a Z-axis stabilization mod. Others with the same printer have been producing amazing results after a lot a work.

 

[fantomas]

I just ordered the Monoprice Maker Select. It just came back in stock a few days ago, and generally on Fridays they've been putting out a promo code. Today it's 10% off. For memorial day it was 15% off (but alas, the printer wasn't in stock). So I ended up paying $315 for it with no tax and free shipping. And I've seen a wealth of knowledge on how to improve the printer for better prints (as Serisium has noted).

 

[Serisium]

I just ordered the Monoprice Maker Select. It just came back in stock a few days ago, and generally on Fridays they've been putting out a promo code. Today it's 10% off. For memorial day it was 15% off (but alas, the printer wasn't in stock). So I ended up paying $315 for it with no tax and free shipping. And I've seen a wealth of knowledge on how to improve the printer for better prints (as Serisium has noted).

Definitely a great printer if you're willing to put some work into it! There are some pretty important mods that give a huge quality of life improvement with the Maker Select.

This guy outlines some great mods, first of all. I'd also recommend looking into these links for information on general maintenance, and how to install adjustable Z Endstops and a glass bed(in that order!).

Good luck!

 

[kman]

Now I'm wondering if I should have gone the monoprice route.

On the bright side, my PrintrBot Simple has been ordered and should arrive on Monday! Anyone have one?

 

[fantomas]

Now I'm wondering if I should have gone the monoproce route.

On the bright side, my PrintrBot Simple has been ordered and should arrive on Monday! Anyone have one?

That's actually my first time seeing that one. What sold me on the maker select was the print bed size. I have a specific project in mind right now and I need it to print a gear at 7.65". It claims it goes up to 7.87" so we'll see....

 

[kman]

That's actually my first time seeing that one. What sold me on the maker select was the print bed size. I have a specific project in mind right now and I need it to print a gear at 7.65". It claims it goes up to 7.87" so we'll see....

The PrintrBot Simple is only 6x6x6 in the stock configuration, but there are upgrades available for the X axis and Z axis upgrade to take them each to 10", so the max size would then be 10 x 6 x 10. (XYZ) The friends I have who recommended it have been impressed with it's modularity and upgradeability.

https://printrbot.com/shop/assembled-simple-metal/

https://printrbot.com/shop/simple-super-z-upgrade/

https://printrbot.com/shop/simple-x-axis-upgrade/

I'll probably do the X axis upgrade sooner rather than later, because it includes the heated bed upgrade and X axis upgrade in one. (my colleagues just bought me the base model... not that I'm complaining!)