I just ordered a 3D Printer - Anyone Else got One?

[ShokWaveRider]

Being an Engineer and into Radio Controlled model building (building more than flying usually), I found these machines intriguing. The idea of making widgets sounds like fun.

Completely extravagant, will never get a return on my investment but what the heck.

I ordered a FlashForge Creator X dual Extruder system.

I am interested in hearing from other 3D Printer owners.

[ERD50]

What did it cost? It is a tempting toy. If I came up with some actual uses for it at home, I could justify it to myself as a combo of learning/toy with a dose of practicality.

You RC model hobby would be be enough justification for me (if the cost isn't too high)!

But offhand, I'm able to produce most things I need with my workshop tools.

Tell us more!


-ERD50

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider Being an Engineer and into Radio Controlled model building (building more than flying usually), I found these machines intriguing. The idea of making widgets sounds like fun. Completely extravagant, will never get a return on my investment but what the heck. I ordered a FlashForge Creator X dual Extruder system. I am interested in hearing from other 3D Printer owners.

I've done my fair share of RC and CL model building and flying. Nothing I can think of comes to mind for justifying a 3D printer for that hobby. Can you give us some examples of what you will use this printer for?

[ShokWaveRider]

Cost was $1400

As far as making things is concerned, I am into helis and multis. tons of parts that break and can be improved on.

[aja8888]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider Cost was $1400 As far as making things is concerned, I am into helis and multis. tons of parts that break and can be improved on.

Agree, totally justified purchase!

[Hermit]

My son did an internship at a leading edge system/software place in Austin, Tx last summer. They assign interns and new hires a project to see if they can get it done in a reasonable fashion. His assignment was to build an automated beer dispenser.
He made parts on a 3D printer. You put your glass under the dispenser and swiped an RFID card and it poured you a glass of beer!

Now THAT is a reason for a 3D printer!

[NW-Bound]

Wow! A personal 3D printer!

We expect to see more updates with close-up photos of the parts that you make. It certainly will keep one busy, and provides an answer to the perennial question of "What ya do all day?".

This is not for me as an EE, but my son who's a ME would love something like this. He knows about 3D modeling, machining, and finite-element analysis for stress, etc... but I am ignorant about these subjects.

[ShokWaveRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NW-Bound This is not for me as an EE

Not so my friend, I am an EE (Electronics & Digital Electronics) and It is quite fun.

Saying that, I only just ordered it, there is a long delivery time as it was on backorder.

So I have been drawing parts, that takes long enough.

[Avalon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider Being an Engineer and into Radio Controlled model building (building more than flying usually), I found these machines intriguing. The idea of making widgets sounds like fun.

My son uses a 3D printer for R/C parts among other things. I don't recall what brand/make he has, but has used it for years. He's always designing and building odd flying machines. I think you'll find it to be fun and useful. He says it's great for parts that can't be had 'off the shelf'.


He also uses a home built CNC router quite a bit.

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider Cost was $1400 As far as making things is concerned, I am into helis and multis. tons of parts that break and can be improved on.

The price isn't too high at all. How about the cost for supplies? Are the supplies like cartridge of plastic?

I'm sure you'll find many good uses for the printer that you probably never thought of. Sounds like fun.

[ShokWaveRider]

[QUOTE=easysurfer;1430074]Are the supplies like cartridge of plastic?/QUOTE]

1kg of ABS or PLA is ~$20 not bad really. Unit comes with 2KG filament. FleaBay is your friend here.

[Bikerdude]

Do you have to draw the item on a computer and use software to make it 3D prior to printing? The more complex the item I would assume the more difficult to draw or is there an easier way?

[imoldernu]

Doing stuff like this, could pay for it very quickly.
Patient’s Face Reconstructed Using 3D-Printed Parts | Singularity Hub

[Willers]

We just bought one for $1600 to do design mock-ups at work. Makes it easy to work through fit, form, and function without tooling. So far it is awesome. I can't believe these are under $2K now.

[ShokWaveRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bikerdude Do you have to draw the item on a computer and use software to make it 3D prior to printing? The more complex the item I would assume the more difficult to draw or is there an easier way?

I have been using Sketchup Pro for my models. It is pretty easy once you get used to it. Google is your friend when it comes to things you need to figure out how to do. It is pretty accurate too. A friend of mine printed a part I designed for me and it was a good fit for what I needed.

[Animorph]

I'll get around to getting one eventually. Parts for R/C planes would be one benefit. the other is just to play with it.

I'd like to get DW one of the new candy/chocolate 3D printers. Now that would be useful. Nothing near reasonable cost yet, but I'll keep my eye out.

[travelover]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it. I'm also curious to see how strong the parts are.

[ShokWaveRider]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it. I'm also curious to see how strong the parts are.

Me too!

[stepford]

I'm still old fashioned enough to be into subtractive rather than additive part fabrication (in other words I start with big chunks of metal or wood and machine them down into something useful). I think 3D printing is a cool technology and we'll all have one eventually, but I feel little compulsion to be an early adopter - particularly when the printer would have to compete for space in the aforementioned metal shop.

[flotsamandjetsam]

We make all kinds of fixtures, prototypes and mockups with it. We started off slowly but once we realized all the useful parts it could produce we have kept it very busy. Some of the big jobs run overnight.

An occasional boat part comes out of it too.