3D printing recommendations

[Derring-Do]

What do I need to get into 3D printing. I have some ideas for a 6x6 rear suspension. But I have little fabrication skill or patience.

[JatoTheRipper]

If you don't have patience you are going to struggle with 3D printing.

[JimmytheBarrel]

Yeah. 3d printing is a very finicky. I would try something like Shapeways of Scuplteo first. An online service to print designs.

[Derring-Do]

So I can design the part, and send it to someone on shapeways? What file format do they like?

[Orangejeep1]

I believe.stl is the most common. Tinkercad is a good place to start for software. Free and cloud based. Lots of tutorials to get you started.


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[Sneetches]

I had no prior 3d modeling or printing experience and I was able to design a simple part and have it printed on my new Monoprice printer within about an hour (after setting up and calibrating the printer of course). I have been using computers and many different software for most of my life though, so I think this is what enabled me to easily jump into it. 3D printing is still way more in depth once you get into specific filaments and their required print settings, the printers themselves, your 3d modeling software, and then your "slicing" software used to prepare models for printing. Nowadays I would say it's much more user friendly than it previously was, and any problems you run into should be only a Google away.

[5bites]

Get a Dremel 3d20. Runs like a top. Just basing this on the low patience comment.

[Derring-Do]

When I say patience I should have said easily frustrated with constant measure, cut, bend, hammer, measure, cut and still doesn't work the way I want it to. With typical metal and wood working. I can easily wait all day for a printer.

[k7zpj]

Originally Posted by Derring-Do

When I say patience I should have said easily frustrated with constant measure, cut, bend, hammer, measure, cut and still doesn't work the way I want it to. With typical metal and wood working. I can easily wait all day for a printer.

You still have most of that with 3d printing. You have to understand the tolerances of your printer and how that effects the fit of parts. Getting a good fit may require several iterations of design, print and test fit before you have the final parts where you want them. Extruded plastic doesn't have the tight tolerances that you get with CNC machined metal.

[5bites]

Originally Posted by Derring-Do

When I say patience I should have said easily frustrated with constant measure, cut, bend, hammer, measure, cut and still doesn't work the way I want it to. With typical metal and wood working. I can easily wait all day for a printer.

I was referring to getting the machine to cooperate without wanting to burn everything electronic you come into contact thereafter. Some printers can be frustrating to get going right. Some are basically plug and play. Waiting for one to print is just the nature of all of them.

[nedmo]

i was in the same boat as you. started playing with tinkercad, designed lots of parts, got 1 printed on shapeways...didnt fit. Not getting another one done by then. So I bought a Creality Ender 2 and after an hour building it and a couple of test prints calibrating a Cura profile, I am printing off 99% perfect prints. Not bad for $265 AUD posted.

Best $265 I have spent in a while.

[k7zpj]

This article is a good place to start to get a quick introduction to 3D printing.
https://www.matterhackers.com/articl...th_3D_printing

It has pointers to other articles about CAD/Drawing tools and 3d printing materials.

3D printing info and current printer reviews:

Maker's Muse:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQ...rh-b2ND-AfIybg

3D Printer Nerd:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_7...Tqt08ERh1MewlQ

Maker Noob:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2T...xC83zF1w5x1PWQ

Thomas Sanladerer:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb8...L1ohROUVg46h1A