What 3d printers does everyone use and what are the pros and cons of each one. Looking at getting one and would like everyones impute. Don't have thousands to spend though.
buy an 'original' (original in this case really means 'authentic from original creator, not 'first version') Prusa i3 if you want to save some coin but get a fantastic kit -- http://shop.prusa3d.com/en/3d-printers/59-original-prusa-i3-mk2-kit.html
The printer Nick linked to is probably your best bet. I bought a cheaper i3 and it's needed a lot of fixing over the last couple months.
Which one did you get @Beaver ? Just so others can avoid it. I'm building a Rostock Max v3 at the moment. Could be another option (though I can't vouch for how good it is until I've actually used it to print for a while). https://www.seemecnc.com/collection...cts/rostock-max-v3-desktop-3d-printer-diy-kit
I have 2 Solidoodles and an I3 Pro. I can not recommend the I3 Pro enough. The frame is laser cut steel so, it's very rigid and doesn't need to be readjusted all the time. https://www.makerfront.com/shop/3d-printers/i3pro/
Upgrades I've made to this printer. - Replace cheap power supply with new ATX PS - replaced hot end with E3d v6. - new X axis carriage - getting new build plate Plus I want to build new linear bearings since the ones that came with it have a good bit of slop.
Yup, eventually I'm going to have to replace the frame too. Acrylic is too brittle for a 3D printer frame. Mine has a few cracks in it already.
Buy the replacement soon as you can. That cracked acrylic will fail at a really annoying time. I had to ask Greg to machine me some replacement pieces out of abs for my ormerod since its sort of an oddball printer.
my max v2 is really nice when it would callibrate and sofar the new head is solving that problem. same head as the v3 kit
The v3 is also easier to put together than the v2 from what I have read. They replaced some of the melamine pieces that were causing issues with injection molded pieces, not sure what else. The assembly instructions are pretty good to.