What is the best 3D Printer that I could buy online?

[Commander Fox]

Good afternoon RPF Community,

I recently saw Fierfek's Pepakura Blog (and his Facebook Page) and I find his Pepakura models excellent. But I also saw that he does also 3D Printing. This means that, obviously, he owns a very good 3D Printer. But he wasn't the only one. Here on RPF, user justice91423, made one of the Iron Giant's components with a 3D Printer:

Well, I recently built a website related to 3D Printing but, In order to officially open it, I'm looking for a good 3D Printer Brand so, when I saw Fierfek and justice91423, I wondered if it was possible for someone of you to give me an advice or, maybe, tell me (if it's possible for you) what is the 3D Printer Brand that you own and use to build your models.

Moreover, I found on Amazon Best Sellers several good and low-cost 3D Printers: http://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers-Industrial-Scientific-3D-Printers/zgbs/industrial/6066127011#1
What is your opinion about them? I shared the link because maybe someone of you owns one of these 3D Printers.

I would really appreciate some support from people with great experience like all of you.

Thanks in advance!

 

[jamesmcintoshjr]

based on all of my research one of the best printers for the money is the lulzbot TAZ 4,this will be my next 3D printer. (currently using a mb rep 2)

combination of open source design, in a sturdy and overbuilt package, heated bed with a large build volume (11.7" x 10.8" x 9.8") and from a company with a good rep. This is basically the same design they've been doing for a while but every new iteration just gets more refined.

For those that say you don't need a heated bed, for the most part they're right, but if you're really sensitive to warping on 3D prints, even PLA, having a bit o heat really helps. Not to mention I could really use that build volume. Sometimes the best prints are based on proper orientation, so the more room to try stuff the better.

 

[Scratchy]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-I...839178&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1796839-_-10368321&cj=true

 

[pickingrinnin]

At Dallas Makerspace (I'm a member), the 3D printing folks seem to overwhelmingly prefer the RepRap.

 

[DeadPixel]

I am looking at the Dremel Idea Builder myself. I need to find out what the best type of material to use as well as how thick I should make the parts I build. I hope the machine can build thin kenough for my Iron Man suit.

 

[TCSloan]

I too was curious about this..didnt know Dremel made one..thats a pretty good price too. what programs would be best to start out with if youve never done any type of 3D work? with the goal of using a 3D printer of course.

 

[AndyJ]

I too was curious about this..didnt know Dremel made one..thats a pretty good price too. what programs would be best to start out with if youve never done any type of 3D work? with the goal of using a 3D printer of course.

123d Design is a great piece of 3D software made pretty much exclusively for 3D printing. The Dremel printer is problably great for a beginner because I'm sure they have great support, but it seems to be PLA only which is a bummer.

 

[ThrakenSal]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Dremel-I...839178&cm_mmc=CJ-_-1796839-_-10368321&cj=true

I agree with Scratchy, I actually have this printer and it is quite good for the price.

I am looking at the Dremel Idea Builder myself. I need to find out what the best type of material to use as well as how thick I should make the parts I build. I hope the machine can build thin enough for my Iron Man suit.

This printer only uses PLA as the material because it doesn't have a heated platform. The thinnest I have been able to print is 1 mm.

 

[TCSloan]

whats the problem with PLA? sorry, I dont know the difference in material

 

[crackerjazz]

Wow, I didn't know Dremel offers one. Hi Deadpixel, they usually have small bed sizes. And printing suits would be mighty expensive.

 

[Scarecrow Joe]

Great, another thing to spend money on! Subscribed and very interested.

 

[mythshaker]

Best is one of those words that can mean whatever you want it too. For me two of the best are the Form1 from Formlabs and the Pegasus from Full Spectrum Laser.

 

[Aurora]

Depends on what do you define "the best" each person got different build requirements, resolution and budget.

My personal preference is the Form 1+ by formlabs because it's sla gets a much better resolution the the typical consumer models.

if your budget not $3k, then Robox 3D is a new cumber that has amazing resolution for the cost. If its was my money I'd buy the Robox and put the $2k on software or something else

 

[Fireball Joe]

Depends on what do you define "the best" each person got different build requirements, resolution and budget.

My personal preference is the Form 1+ by formlabs because it's sla gets a much better resolution the the typical consumer models.

Formlabs looks great on paper, but from reading their support forum, actually owning and using that printer is a horror story. B9Creator uses DLP instead of laser to cure the resin, and generally has a better reputation for reliability and quality. It costs more, of course. I'm hoping 2015 will be the year of the true, reliable DLP-resin printer. I'm trying to get a LittleRP for myself. The Pegasus and the Titan machines are supposed to become more widely available sometime soon, too. All these resin printers are more geared toward small-scale modeling. For costume-making and large-scale modeling, the FDM printers can be a really good assets because of their much larger building volumes and lower-cost materials. The Ultimaker 2 is pricy for an FDM printer, but it can yield some amazing prints. The Robox is pretty awesome, too. It all depends on what you want to make, really.

 

[Aurora]

Did not know that about the form 1, why spend that much money an not make it work. Just looked at the Pegasus and Littleton both look really impressive

 

[TCSloan]

anybody know anything about this one?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Flashforg...ategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=E2OywQ6zfRcMieC5Js9jwY

 

[o2b4wln]

I have the Lulzbot 3 and absolutely love it. Combine it with Simpify3d,( http://www.simplify3d.com ) and you'll never regret your investment. The large build plate and great community forum makes it a great piece of hardware to own.

They now offer 2 types of dual-extruders, one that prints standard filament and the other that prints ninja-flex, a flexible, rubber-like filament.

Also, if you're going to keep the printer next to you in your office/workspace I'd recommend using PLA instead of ABS. ABS has toxic off-gassing and needs have proper ventilation, also, it tends to have layer adhesion problems. I use PLA exclusively and use it in my home-office.

Good luck with your search and I'll be happy to answer any more questions

-O2b4wln

 

[mccordia]

Ive worked with various 3D printers, and most printers working with the plastic PLA material do give a bit of a woven/rough look still on small details.
Im most impressed with the Form1 printer. It works with a fluid resin instead, and hardens that by laser. The resulting print is about 3x more detailed compared to makerbot etc. and also has various clear resin types. At about $3000, not cheap. But super impressed with the quality.

Here is a 3D model of a wingsuit, printed at about the size of my thumb.

Their website
http://formlabs.com/en/products/form-1-plus/