3d Printers and Printing Parts

my printer is supposed to ship in November (was supposed to be september but got delayed) ... PLA and ABS capable ... 12x12x13.7 max build size ... couldn't swing the 3 head upgrade or heated deck at time of order, so I'll be looking into ordering the upgrades later.

i'm a newbie to 'personal' printing though... been a engineering student for about a year now (last year has been 3d designing ) and i've had the pleasure of playing with larger 3d printers for prototyping brackets before going to mass production.

but i'm chomping at the bit at what I can mess with and play with at home hobbywise and was thrilled to find this section on this forum

 

I use a Solidoodle 2 and a Solidoodle 3. They've both been heavily modified. They have plexi-glass enclosures, anti-backlash tweaks, raspberry pies to run them, etc. I've printed a lot of the parts that I put into them. I've printed ant farms and propellers so far.

 

I use this way for printing https://www.shapeways.com/shops/distefano_3dprint

 

SPAM ALERT!!

 

Sorry, but when I someone self-promoting on their 2nd post, I automatically think spam.

 

I own an Afinia H800. I wanted a printer that would accel at printing ABS. There's a place for PLA but I regularly will be building models to glue/sand and ABS is my go to for that. I had some experience with the smaller 480 unit they make and knew some happy owners. There was some teething/troubleshooting issues at first with the machine but now it runs parts reliably. I intend to design and print superstructure parts for my ships. Any designs I make I'm happy with or others want, I will definitely share them on the resources section.

 

pulled the trigger and ordered the zortrax n200. looks quite versatile handling about 8 different filaments

 

I have a Prusa I3 with the an acrylic frame and have not had a problem. Have printed the superstructure for the USS Baltimore and a few other ship parts all made with plastic.

 

I have a prusa I3 clone ... hadn't had a problem till the board went poof!.... now I'm banging my head against a wall ...

-- the one I posted earlier, I'm still waiting for... very late kickstarter, but they are still moving forward with production... just waiting...

 

I got a da Vinci 1.0 scanner /Printer just now trying to start to do some design work, mostly printing in ABS. Looking to use to build my superstructure parts and detail for my Moltke and then my SMS Lutzow when completed. Any suggestions on getting started with design and what programs to start with, not opposed to buy software if that makes the task easy, or better int he long run.

 

Fusion 360

 

If you're not a CAD guy, you may want to look at OpenSCAD.

 

I tried OpenSCAD once, quickly uninstalled it. Learning the codes and all that wasn't to my liking.

 

Missed your post Jack. I use free software called 123 Design by Autodesk. I would prefer to use Solidworks or Fusion, but also prefer not to pay the large sum that comes attached to them.

 

Why do have to pay for Fusion 360? It's free.

 

Thought it was only free for a limited time?

 

Nope, free full time use for hobbyists.