What type of 3D printer are you guys using?

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Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
I had a FDM printer a couple years back but didn't print any RC parts being not much into it at the time.
Was looking at getting a DLP printer, just curious if anyone's using DLP to print stuff.
Elegoo has their Saturn out that has a pretty decent build size, and DLP is much finer that I've seen compared to FDM.
Although with DLP seems you need to wash/rinse and cure after printing, so that probably negates some of the less work from FDM prints...

I'm curious about the durability between the two if it's about the same.
 
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SurlyBurly

SurlyBurly

Some day I'll be both revered & passe like Madonna
I've just begun to venture into 3DP with an SV03 FDM printer, it's alright. I'd like an DLP/SLA resin printer, but one of the consideration that has to be made is the space you're using a resin printer in. All resins, even plant based, water wash etc etc, have the potential to be hazardous. You kind of need a dedicated space, with excellent ventilation and/or fume extraction to use one regularly. There are some materials that should be treated the same way with FDM printing, but most prints and most folks are just using PLA or PETG which is fine. Combined with the wash/cure aspects of Resin printing it sort of disproves the idea that resin printing is "easy".
 
pardonmyn00b

pardonmyn00b

What the hell was that?!
I have a Creality LD-002H. I don't use it as much as I should because I dislike the the whole printing, washing and curing process. I have their wash and cure device thingy too. But it's a hassle for just printing one part. I wait until I have a few things to print at once. It's a little small by current standards so I'll eventually upgrade to something larger.
I also have a Prusa i3 MK3 for FDM. I use that a lot more than the resin one.

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T

Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
Yeah, looking around further DLP/SLA just isn't a good choice with RC parts printing in mind mainly to build size.
While they do make some very nice prints, both comments above are very valid after further reading last night.

I did come across a Creality Ender 3 V2 which has a great build size, excellent ratings and price.
It is ABS capable, but maybe ABS isn't really needed since most are using PLA or PETG. No idea of how the strength and flexibility compare between the different materials
 
SurlyBurly

SurlyBurly

Some day I'll be both revered & passe like Madonna
PLA is strong enough but temperature sensitive, you may find a PLA part that spends some time in the sun will warp. PETG is more than strong enough and for the most part is fine outside, especially once finished in primer and paint and so on. PLA+ is a stronger alternative to PLA that is quickly becoming the new standard, it *mostly* solves the temp vulnerability, except in small or thin parts. ABS is stronger than PETG and super durable, it tends to be a little heavier than PETG but this can be designed around. The trick with ABS is you don't want to share a room with a printer using ABS open air, you would definitely want an enclosure and fume extractor. Also ABS can be a little temperamental to print, you'll want to know how to dial in your settings and tune your printer to get consistent print quality with ABS.
 
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zabco

New member
I use PETG or n-Gen when making model parts. Strength is pretty much the same for either but the PETG tends to be a little bit more brittle. If a part may be subject to impacts I use the n_Gen. I swore off ABS several years ago, the stink is terrible. I also have a SLA resin printer but it is used solely to make small, very detailed parts that will not be subject to any wear or tear. Resin is just to brittle to take any abuse. I only use plant based, water rinse resins but you still need to take proper precautions.
 
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Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
Thanks guys, appreciate the input.
Got a follow up question/s.
I'm guessing some are designing your own parts, what software do you use?
Any recommendations, preferably freeware?
I'm sure there's plenty of things I could find to print but I've got a few ideas of my own
 
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zabco

New member
I use Alibre Atom for my 3D cad work. It is currently on sale for $149, which is a one time purchase price. It does not have all the features of their "professional" cad programs but they are $$$$ and come with 1 year licenses. There are some free cad programs out there, the most notable of which is probably Autocad's Fusion 360. It is free to use for hobbyists but it is on the 'cloud' and you have to have good internet access to use it. It is more complicated then Atom and Autocad has a history of reducing it's capabilities. There is also FreeCad which does not require internet access other than to download. However I find it to be overly complicated for my needs. Any 3d cad program is going to require time and effort to learn. You have to get used to the idea of creating 2d 'sketches' and extruding them positively or negatively to create material or remove it and combine with other sketches to create the part you want. University of U-Tube time.
 
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Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
Just pulled the trigger on a Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo.
Got to looking at it yesterday in my saved items on Amazon and decided to check Creality's site. They had it on sale for $50 less and didn't charge tax.
After it sitting in my cart, I just got an email with a $10 off code that cinched it.
So for roughly the same price as just the printer from Amazon, I got the printer and a spool of PETG and an enclosure.
Once I get it I'm going to give the Alibre Atom a test drive, ty zabco
 
T

Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
Yeah, I was back and forth over the Max, typically I'd just go for it instead of wishing I had later. I may very well later!
The enclosure I looked at being it's rather dusty where it'll be setup, but also looks like it keeps temps more consistent for better priinting.
If I'd known the enclosure was big enough for the Max I may have gone ahead and gone with it lol
 
T

Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
Lem said:
isnt the only difference the size of the build plate?
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Well, total build size is bigger so the build plate as well I'm sure.
220mm x 220mm x 250mm for the non Max
300mm x 300mm x 320mm for the Max
It was $100 more. Although I was looking at the Neo edition, maybe the non-Neo Max was less of a difference. The Neo model has a few nice upgrades though.
Edit: I don't see a non Neo Max on their site, so there's that. I didn't see the extra $100 worthwhile for the extra 80mm per dimension, and should be more than fine with the build size of the non Max.
If it was only like $50, I might have.
 
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Lem

Active member
When i got the Printer there were no neo models out. Only the basic Ender, Ender 3 V2 and Max. Got the Ender 3 Max for 269euro.

In 1,5 years now i only made 1 part for a friend where i needed the bigger build plate.
For my rc car parts (1/10) i dont really need the extra space.
 
T

That rc guy

Member
I use an ender 3 pro, pretty good and somewhat reliable printer, I say somewhat because in the 3 yrs I've had it, I've had 2 times in which it caused me major problems. The first problem was the nozzle getting clogged which was an easy fix just by replacing it after spending an hour trying to unclog it. The second time was when the bltouch upgrade pin broke which I spent 2 hours trying to remove the firmware for it. Overall pretty good printer, has its ups and downs, would recommend!
 
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Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
I haven't used mine in a couple months. After getting it I was printing almost nonstop, but then I started having issues with the filament sticking to the build plate. Aftyer messing around with it for a few hours I've left it alone since.
I need to revisit it and see if I can sort it out or sell it. Or sort it then sell it lol.
 
Antipodean

Antipodean

Total Noob but trying.
Elegoo Neptune 3. First and only printer I have had thanks to SBG for providing it. Works well and is great for learning on. Maintenance and printing lessons all provided.
 
T

Thorsteenster

Supporting Member
imthatguy said:
I've switched to the BambuLabs X1 Carbon. So glad I did. All the quality of the Prusa, just 4x faster.
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Dude. Bambu's are sweet! I was just down at a buddies house over the weekend and his boy has one. Very nice printer, he's got a P1P. Crazy speed compared to my Ender.
Speaking of my Ender, I got to messing with it again today and was going to switch nozzles but the included tool blows so I ended up cleaning it and seems to be working, it's prinfint now. I could have sworn I tried this last time but oh well, if all's well, I'm happy.
 
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