this post was submitted on 25 Apr 2024
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3DPrinting

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Best options for entry level 3D printing available these days? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago) by pico@sh.itjust.works to c/3dprinting@lemmy.world
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I've had access to a roommate's 3D printer, but they'll be moving away soon :(

Wondering if people have takes on machines that are considered entry level today but may have evolved handy features since, well, when you were an entry level user.

If this isn't the right place for this please be nice I'm sorry

EDIT: okay I left out way too much detail for this to be answerable.

I've been printing for a year, so im not absolute beginner tier, and can benefit from some of the fancy gizmos like auto leveling, multi filament, etc. but i dont really venture beyond PETG and PLA. I mostly use 3D printing in other maker/diy projects; creating custom fixtures, quick tools and jigs, attachments for sewing machines, table saws, tool organization etc. You get the idea. Im not a mechanical engineer or prototyping medical equipment. I just really enjoy the power of being able to model something i need, print it, and immediate use it to complete a project. I dont do any figurines.

My budget is a maximum of 300 canadian dollars, including filaments, replacement parts, and add-ons. I am impartial to any brands or companies, i actually would perfer something that doesnt have proprietary bullshit, but the printers my roommate have are a (GEETECH) Ender 3 Clone and a TwoTree SP-5. The two tree is really awesome, but also over kill for what i need personally.

Other considerations are that It should be relatively compact, not mini/micro or anything, I would rather print twice or rearrange the models on the print bed some times and have more space than the other way around.

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[–] KillerTofu@lemmy.world 22 points 7 months ago (3 children)

I think it would be better to say what your budget is since entry level is subjective.

[–] Dave@lemmy.nz 14 points 7 months ago (3 children)

Doesn't entry level basically mean "what's the cheapest you can get, while still being worth getting"?

[–] Sami@lemmy.zip 9 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Depends, some people see it as what is the most accessible (eg. Prusa) while others want affordability (eg. Ender 3 and clones) and most want a mix of both.

[–] mrcleanup@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

The Bambu printers are also great "entry level" as they work so well with a lot of features right out of the box. They aren't cheap though.

[–] HewlettHackard@lemmy.ca 3 points 6 months ago

Well, that’s the key… “still being worth getting”. The $100 special Ender 3 at monoprice probably isn’t worth getting for many people because of the frustration involved.

And so in reality the best answer for the question depends on each individual’s time-money tradeoffs.

[–] EmilieEvans@lemmy.ml 3 points 6 months ago

There isn't THE entry-level:

20x20cm Desktop FFF under $200

50x50cm desktop FFF $500

Toolchanger: roughly $1k

entry level plastic SLS: $10k

metal SLS: $50k

nano/micro structure 3d-printer: contact us

[–] AtHeartEngineer@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago

Agreed, budget, and what are you trying to print?

[–] pico@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Hey! Thanks for the reply! The fact that this is subjective is extremely true.

My budget is roughly 200$ for the machine alone, with a max of 300$ with filament, extras, etc.

[–] KillerTofu@lemmy.world 2 points 6 months ago

Well then if you are not afraid of tinkering creality printers are great to dip a toe at that price point and also serve to give you a solid foundation of the hobby. I started with a standard ender3 and then upgraded for a while as I learned more and finally have settled for now with a bambulab.