Should I get a 3D Printer?

Mythical

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If it's your "big gift" I would get something else. A 3d printer is cool and all, especially if you mess around with stuff like 3d modeling, but you might be better off upgrading your computer if you have one or buying a computer to upgrade over time. Or you could get a hackable ps4 pro, decent sized drive, and a second controller in that price range
 
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supernintendo128

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What are you intending to do with it? Or you want one for shits and giggles?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Depends what you want to do with it. At that price range, you'll be able to make small things I'm assuming. Otherwise, get something else.

I just want to print small things.
 

DKB

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It's up to you what you want. But you might regret it. It's one of those things that look cool but you might get bored with it in five minutes.
 
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tech3475

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I would first check your local area to see if there's anyone renting out a printer, I've heard some local libraries had one for instance.

I have a modded Ender 3 Pro and it can be a pain, not a 'plug and play' system so to speak and even now it needs some tweaking, although I don't regret it as I like to create some bespoke stuff and it was the best option for me.
 
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FAST6191

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$300 range 3d printers in current space year 2019... they are better than they were when they first got popular but that is still on the low end.

What is your background with this sort of thing? Do you know CAD or how to use a 3d printer in general? Are you looking to actually make things, if so what things, or just have some fun?

You have an alternative pathway too. Many people get these and rent them out, libraries/hackerspaces/makerspaces often have them, schools/universities might have them and you do also have things like https://alternativeto.net/software/shapeways/
Depending upon what one you go for you might end up more or less involved (hackerspaces and such will probably allow you there to learn, private renters may or may not), but regardless of what goes it will give you an idea of the processes.
Cost wise then with the cost of most cheapo 3d printer feed materials (look them up if you have not already - if your printer tries to lock you into some materials then it can get silly expensive) then it takes a while to catch up, and if it means you don't have a $300 anchor around your neck...

Alternative alternative. Small CNC router. Don't know whether you want to go Chinese 3020 or 6040 style or something a bit nicer. These get you all the same fun with CAD and learning machining, have a far wider selection of materials (and you can use all the same ones you would have for 3d printing), for the same money have far tighter tolerances, can make most of the same things (overhangs and cavities can be tricky with routers) and a few things you can't by virtue of materials and the machines themselves. Or if you prefer I can see you making something you could sell with a CNC, certainly can make things you can fix things in the real world with, but with a $300 3d printer... it is not impossible but I would be impressed. I don't know whether you will make it to something that will reliably cut steel for that kind of money.
 

Eddypikachu

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Another option would be checking at your local library to see if they have 3d printers you could use, or try googling if there are any Maker spaces around you where you can use their 3d printer to print out your projects
 

supernintendo128

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What is your background with this sort of thing? Do you know CAD or how to use a 3d printer in general? Are you looking to actually make things, if so what things, or just have some fun?

I made my own CAD for a homemade arcade stick that my brother was working on. I had it printed at the library.
 

The Real Jdbye

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$300 range 3d printers in current space year 2019... they are better than they were when they first got popular but that is still on the low end.

What is your background with this sort of thing? Do you know CAD or how to use a 3d printer in general? Are you looking to actually make things, if so what things, or just have some fun?

You have an alternative pathway too. Many people get these and rent them out, libraries/hackerspaces/makerspaces often have them, schools/universities might have them and you do also have things like https://alternativeto.net/software/shapeways/
Depending upon what one you go for you might end up more or less involved (hackerspaces and such will probably allow you there to learn, private renters may or may not), but regardless of what goes it will give you an idea of the processes.
Cost wise then with the cost of most cheapo 3d printer feed materials (look them up if you have not already - if your printer tries to lock you into some materials then it can get silly expensive) then it takes a while to catch up, and if it means you don't have a $300 anchor around your neck...

Alternative alternative. Small CNC router. Don't know whether you want to go Chinese 3020 or 6040 style or something a bit nicer. These get you all the same fun with CAD and learning machining, have a far wider selection of materials (and you can use all the same ones you would have for 3d printing), for the same money have far tighter tolerances, can make most of the same things (overhangs and cavities can be tricky with routers) and a few things you can't by virtue of materials and the machines themselves. Or if you prefer I can see you making something you could sell with a CNC, certainly can make things you can fix things in the real world with, but with a $300 3d printer... it is not impossible but I would be impressed. I don't know whether you will make it to something that will reliably cut steel for that kind of money.
You would be surprised what you can get for $300. They don't get that much better until you spend like $1000 on one and that is just out of the price range for what most people are willing to pay for something that won't be used frequently.
 

nine0nine

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I bought a resin printer a few months back with a head full of things I wanted to print and make. When it arrived I realized that resin printing, although produces excellent results comes with a whole host of requirements I didn't foresee. The main problem being the fumes the thing produces during its hours of printing so I am pretty much restricted to printing when no one is home, or moving the printer to a more ventilated area.
The model I bought, then stopped working, which meant the hassle of returning it etc. While it was in transit I looked at slicers, 3d modelling software and so on and increasingly lost interest in the whole thing.
How I have the printer back in a working state, or atleast it turns on because I just haven't got the motivation to get my head around the software side of it.

If you are already familiar with 3D modelling in sketchup etc, and have a suitable place to use a 3D printer, I'd say go for it, otherwise it may be a lot more work than you imagined.
 

PityOnU

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I'm thinking about asking for a 3D printer for Christmas. Not an expensive one, just one in the $300 range. Is it worth having one?

The question of whether or not it's worth having one comes down to how often you plan on using it. The actual attraction of 3D printers comes from their ability to allow small businesses/individuals to fabricate very intricate, custom parts at small scales. They don't do anything you can't do (better) with modern large-scale manufacturing, but they do make it so that you don't have to order 50 million of something to have it made in a cost effective manner.

Given the definition above, realistically speaking, a 3D printer will generally be rarely used by any single individual. As such, IMHO, it really isn't worth owning one for your own private use. They are actually much more suited for hacker spaces or libraries, where a community of people can share access to it on the odd occasion when they need it.

It sounds like you already used one at your local library. How many more custom things do you really need? Even if it's something crazy like $10 a print, it would still take a long time to add up to the $300 of owning one yourself. And that's not counting materials. My guess is you could get much better ROI by investing that money elsewhere.

All that being said, I am a crusty (and cheap!) old curmudgeon at this point. Do whatever feels good, man.
 

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