3D printed builds - lets inspire others

[theatrus]

I think it can be worth it if you use it a lot as the more you use it, the more your savings add up.

But even though directly copying off the shelf products to print is often cheaper than buying the product, the real money saved is in custom items.

I've printed a lot of smaller things for a few cents that would usually cost a dollar or two each (such as cookie cutters for the wife) so over time those small things can save heaps of money. Then there are bigger custom things like my reef-pi power board which is a few hundred dollars cheaper than any other controlable power board I could buy (but at the same time it also required way more work than just printing a box). It is definitely more of a "hobby" item though than something you buy specifically to save money, IMO the money I've saved is just a bonus :)


I look at it like the marine fish hobby, if you want to be successful you must consider 3 things.
1) cheap
2) quality (without tweaking)
3) easy / no need to invest time
But you can only pick 2 :p

IMO I've gotten my $200 printer (my first one) to have excellent results, but the prints weren't amazing quality straight away, lots of stuff broke along the way and it took a lot of time, testing and adjusting (fun in my eyes) to get right. Or I could have spent 5x as much and gotten the same results without investing the time.

I don't think first timers need to buy an expensive machine, but they do need to realise that its a whole hobby on its own with a steep learning curve, even with an expensive machine (although it is doable by everyone if they invest the time). I actually think there is a lot more benefit to buying a kit (even a moderately priced one) as even prusas break and knowing what went wrong and knowing how to fix them is invaluable.

But if you have the money then spend up big, I know I would :p (if you have the money and want to learn a prusa kit is probably the best option)

I’d also recommend sticking to printers with 1.75mm filament - 3mm seems to be vanishing and is limited to some more expensive printers (LulzBot, etc).

I still use a Qidi Tech I, and the biggest upgrade I made was getting a borosilicate glass print plate.

Cheaper printers do need more fussing with settings and sometime mechanical alignment issues. I still have a small Z axis wobble in mine.

 

[boneone]

new Tevo Flash looks nice 235x235x250mm print area
upgrade options: TMC2100 | Dual-Z | BL-Touch auto leveling

nice parts:
110/220AC silicone heater bed with relay & thermal insulation (90C in 90sek)
all metal hotend
titan extruder clone
good 3xfan @ hotend
open marlin pre installed
glass-ceramic print bed

not so good:
one loud fan to change & cover
Tevo support & bugs
8 bit (MKS Gen L V1.0)
print bed is glued on (difficult to replace if broken or damaged )
no ground on AC silicone heater (easy to upgrade)


thinking of buying one with TMC2100 & Dual-Z upgrade for under 300€ (sale?)
might update heating cartridge 50 W, titan heatbreak & thermistor patron PT1000 (or PT100) from Trianglelab (aliexpress)
and maybe also 3D-Touch auto leveling & copper heat block...

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/2016...1f-4555-a46b-b273ee3f03f1&transAbTest=ae803_3

looks better than ender 3 (pro) allso @ sale 170(215)€

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/2018-Ender-3-DIY-Kit-3D-drucker-Gro-e-Gr-e-I3-Ender-3-Ender-3/32954626317.html?spm=a2g0x.search0104.3.51.39611da86vHmfV&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_4_10065_10068_10547_319_317_10548_10696_10084_453_454_10083_10618_10304_10307_10820_10821_537_10302_536_10059_10884_10887_100031_321_322_10103,searchweb201603_6,ppcSwitch_0&algo_pvid=dd4a53a3-938c-41bc-bdd0-afddd28e6064&algo_expid=dd4a53a3-938c-41bc-bdd0-afddd28e6064-7

what do you say? looking good?

 

[JDowns]

A 3D printing forum would be great.

I have a few things floating around in different threads.

This is a breakout box for Apex that I'm planning for my next build for less than $12 in parts. I want to incorporate two Madison miniature vertical float switches in my sump for low and high water alerts so I came up with a quick enclosure design using Schurter 3.5mm jacks, CUI MD-80PL100 Mini Din 8. Then all connections coming in can use a 3.5mm jack.

 

[saintsreturn]

I didn't even think about eBay. May have to look at releasing our products soon. Bought a new printer last night and really hopeful for our production plans. I'll share more as soon as I get the products printed [emoji4]

 

[siggy]

Nice Work guys! Long story short I picked up a used MK3 under 200 hours, and Having problems with the print warping on the bed. Any guesses ? to hot or too cold? BTW I bought a new Mag. plate

 

[C-Reefer]

Whooeeee. Ya'll are making me want a 3d printer. I'd do so much stuff with it. But... I can't spend $500 on a printer.

Is buying used an option? How big does the printer need to be? I'm good to fiddle and work with stuff, so I'm good for a lower quality printer. Don't need perfect prints either. Would a printer under $200 work for DIY stuff?

 

[dantimdad]

If you get the quirks worked out, Ender 3 is a good bargain. I almost gave up but found a person willing to coach me through a few things and now love mine.

I am planning on getting a second if something I designed takes off.

 

[C-Reefer]

If you get the quirks worked out, Ender 3 is a good bargain. I almost gave up but found a person willing to coach me through a few things and now love mine.

I am planning on getting a second if something I designed takes off.

Oh I like that. I could definitly get that. And with all the people on here I'm sure we could work through the kinks. Thanks!

 

[Scotty Buttons]

This has nothing to do with aquariums but a friend of mine printed one of these for me and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. It's a 3D printed digital solar clock. From thingiverse

 

[JDowns]

A 3D printed forum would be great. You could also have a sub-forum for sales. I get requests all the time for a few things I've posted and just don't have the time to accommodate all requests since some items can chew up about 22 hours of print time.

 

[dantimdad]

Agreed @JDowns

The design I just finished last night takes 5 hours and 10 minutes to print. With one printer, that means I couldn't work on anything else and only crank out 4 a day, if I was there every time it finished.

We won't even go into the stuff I want to print for myself.

 

[saintsreturn]

Agreed @JDowns

The design I just finished last night takes 5 hours and 10 minutes to print. With one printer, that means I couldn't work on anything else and only crank out 4 a day, if I was there every time it finished.

We won't even go into the stuff I want to print for myself.

exactly why i bought a new printer last night. If 1/2 of my presales turn into fruition, i will probably be buying another one this summer just so i can still tinker with other things. We will see :D

The stuff i wanted to do for my tank and my side of the hobby (i.e. starting this thread) have been benched due to demand on a couple of designs i was bsing with someone about. Now it looks like we will have store front shelf space and need to keep up with them. I just want to finish my tank build so i can call it "done." lol

 

[ReefEngr]

Haha yeah, I was surprised too. I was going to list at $14.99 but my friend said that people who have apex have $$$$, no harm in starting price high. He was right :p.

My ender 3s were paying for themselves every 16 hours

Smart move lol

 

[dantimdad]

Be careful what you wish for. LOL!

 

[saintsreturn]

So the new crucial CR - 10s Pro will be here Thursday. I am leaving town this weekend, but next week should be fun! Hoping to have some files to share within the next couple of weeks.

 

[redfishbluefish]

A 3D printed forum would be great. You could also have a sub-forum for sales. I get requests all the time for a few things I've posted and just don't have the time to accommodate all requests since some items can chew up about 22 hours of print time.

Reminder about selling 3D printed items:

Per the dry good selling rules, 3D printed items are not permitted for sale.

• 3D printed items are deemed to be an item of constant supply; therefore a commercial endeavor and are not permitted.

 

[JDowns]

Reminder about selling 3D printed items:

Per the dry good selling rules, 3D printed items are not permitted for sale.

• 3D printed items are deemed to be an item of constant supply; therefore a commercial endeavor and are not permitted.

What if they are pre-soaked in tank water? :p

 

[dantimdad]

What does "an item of constant supply" mean?

 

[That Crusso Kid]

What does "an item of constant supply" mean?

+1

 

[redfishbluefish]

What does "an item of constant supply" mean?

You are able to print an endless number of items.