Are you ready to jump into the fantastic 3D printer world? And 3D printing. But first, you’ll have to choose which home 3D printer is right for you. These eight tips will help you avoid costly mistakes and ensure you get a top-quality printer on your first try.
Choose a trusted brand. Reputable brands are more likely to guarantee their products. When buying from an unknown brand, check for reviews and contact the seller to check on the store’s return policy.
Check The 3D Printer Warranty
Most new 3D printers come with a one-year warranty that covers defects in the machine. Make sure you ask about warranty details before you buy. If you buy from a retailer that doesn’t carry a wide selection of printers, ask if they can recommend a repair shop close to you. If you buy from a manufacturer, find out if they have a repair shop and how far away it is.
Check The 3D Printer’s Build Area.
Consider the printer’s size. Take measurements of the space you have available for 3D printers. Some take up as much as 5 ft across, 8 inches high, and 16 inches deep. Before even getting started printing, you need to choose a 3D printer. The sheer volume of different printers on the market can be overwhelming. Here are tips to help you narrow down your options.
Research, The Manufacturer
When you buy your 3D printer, you’re also purchasing into a community of people who have built the printer and designed it. And will be there to help you every step of the way.
3D Printers Are Not All Alike
So you want a 3D printer. But do you need a professional-grade machine that costs several thousand dollars, or would you be happy with a $500 3D printer? Would you print in one color at a time or in multiple colors? Do you want a printer that only works with one type of filament, or can you use any filament you want?
And what’s the difference between ABS, PLA, and Nylon?
The 3D printer market has exploded into a rainbow of choices. How do you decide which printer is right for you with so many options?
It might help to understand how 3D printing works in the first place.
The key to understanding the market is to realize that 3D printing is more like inkjet printing than laser printing:
Do you want a printer that prints in layers or melts the plastic and is, therefore, more accurate?
Do you want a printer that can print in multiple materials, or would you be happy with an FDM (or FFF) printer that prints only one color?
We put together this guide to walk you through the printer features, how they work, and what they mean to your printing experience and results.
To cut to the chase, here is our recommendation for a beginner’s 3D printer:
Type: Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
Recommended Filament Types: ABS, PLA
Recommended Filament Brands: Hatchbox, eSun
Connection Type: USB or SD card
You can guess that we need to break things down by now. This section will look at the different classes of 3D printers and the choices available to you within each category.
Consumer 3D Printers
If you’re a hobbyist and want to print out fun little knickknacks, you can get a 3D printer for $300.
Do you need a printer that prints at any time or during certain day hours?
3d Printers Direct connect or Wireless network
Some 3D printers have Ethernet connectivity or Wi-Fi. They can connect directly to your wireless network or a local printer server. These machines can print wirelessly by sending print commands to an external hard drive via USB, then transmitting the design files to the printer over your network.
One crucial variable is the cost per cubic centimeter of material. The more you pay per cubic centimeter, the better the quality and detail of your prints.
The final variable is the resolution of the printer. The higher the resolution, the more detailed the final print.
A higher-resolution printer can print faster because more of the model can be printed at once.
3D Printer Cost
Suppose you want a printer for your classroom or office accessible to multiple users. Choose a printer with Ethernet connectivity to send files to the printer so numerous computers can send files.
How Many Units Do You Need?
Most 3D printers come in single-unit or multi-unit models. Some multi-unit models allow you to have dozens of units. Still, others can only be used to create a single design copy.
This makes it easy to print whenever you want and can keep you from having to leave the house or disconnect your computer while printing.
The Da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3D Printer by XYZprinting is a good example. It costs around $500, can print in black or white plastic, and can connect to your wireless network. It’s small enough to fit on an end table and takes up little space.
If you have a small office and need a 3D printer that can print on the go, you will not find a solution better than a 3D pen.
One of the most popular 3D printing pens, the 3Doodler, boasts that it’s easy to use and takes very little skill.
Can you print directly from a computer or a memory card?
Some printers come with a MicroSD connection so that you can transfer your designs from a card and print them.
Design Software
When it comes to 3D printing, the software you use is just as essential as the printer itself. You will not be able to print without it.
Advantages Of 3D Printers
The answers to these questions will determine the type of 3D printer you should buy. It’s imperative to get the kind that is appropriate for your project. 3D printers can be used for different applications. The various types of 3D printers are best for other projects.
However, it’s difficult to identify the best machine for your needs. You should consider how the 3D printer will be used and which features you should look for when buying a 3D printer.
There are four primary types of 3D printers currently on the market. These are:
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling)
SLA (Stereolithography)
SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)
PFF (Poly-Fused Filament Fabrication)
Choosing one over another will depend on the complexity of the part you want to make.
It is essential to recognize the type of printer you want to determine its advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s go over some of the features of 3D printers.
There are several 3D printers on the market. Here are some features that make one an excellent choice over the other.
Speed. It is essential to talk about 3D printers that use plastics. It takes a long time to print on their machines.
Here are the top 3D printer brands to choose from.
- Original Prusa MINI
- Ultimaker S3
- FormLabs Form 3
- Original PRUSA SL1
- Anycubic Vyper
- Raise3D E2
- CEL-UK RoboxDual
I use the Raise 3D PRO for my large models and a MakeGear 3D ID for my smaller build models. Both units are precision tools for building anything you wish.
It’s All About The 3D Printer Filament
The type of filament used in your 3D printer is one of the most critical factors in determining the quality of prints. Lower-quality filaments have poor adhesion, warping, curling, cracking, and more.
The cheap filaments also tend to clog the hot end, which can cause the extruder to jam mid-print. Better filaments may cost a little more, but they’re worth it. Learn More
Can You Help?
We don’t want to offend you, but we’re reaching out and asking for your help in leaving us a comment. It’s easy to do and only takes a few minutes. We appreciate your feedback and want to ensure your voice is heard. Thank you!
We only ask for reviews from all customers to improve our services.
Don’t you agree that reading reviews of a business’s services or products helps you make an informed decision?
Bullwinkle
