First 3D printer

[JeeperCreeper]

I am intrigued by 3D printers and have wanted one for some time. What is a relatively inexpensive printer for starting out? What kind of CAD software do I need? What kind of plastic do I need to make durable paintball parts? Wheres the intro to 3D printing sticky?

[apamburn]

Thanks for posting this! I've been wondering the same thing. I have enough crazy ideas rolling around in my head that I think one would be useful too.

[un2xs]

You could see if this thread answers any of your questions:

https://www.mcarterbrown.com/forum/custom/custom-projects-custom-questions/3d-printing/90083-so-i-want-to-get-into-3d-printing

[JeeperCreeper]

I did read this before posting and it does help with the CA question

[JonM]

Oh boy. You're starting down a new and very deep rabbit hole.

Starting with CAD software, you're going to want to start watching tutorials for Fusion 360. Fusion is a very powerful tool that Autodesk has made free for non-commercial use. There are other options as well such as Solidworks and Tinkercad, but Fusion is the happy medium between free and powerful. You'll find that most of us are using it here.

As for printers, I'm using a modified Ender 3, but there are plenty of other options out there. The thing is, if you're looking to print parts for paintball use, you're going to want to print in at least PETG if not in nylon, ABS, or similar resistant materials. Most printers are setup for PLA out of the box (which tends to be brittle, less heat resistant, and prints at lower temperatures). In order to print materials with a higher printing temperature, you should at least upgrade to Capricorn tubing to prevent the higher heat from destroying the stock PTFE tube. There's a laundry list of other upgrades we'll end up recommending though.

[JeeperCreeper]

Is there a printer that will be already set up to use ABS or PETG? I can probably spend $500ish on a printer, maybe more if it's worth it.

[Rainmaker]

I don't have my finger on the pulse of the 3D printer industry lately, so maybe there is something that fits your requirements/budget better by now. But within the last year or so I did some looking and I kinda found entry level printers to be in 2 categories with regarts to material printability.

1. Basic PLA printer. This type is the most basic of entry level printers. Has a heated bed up to ~100C, and a hotend that can handle up to ~235C, because it's not "all metal" and uses standard PTFE bowden tube. This is your Creality Ender 3, Anycubuc I3 Mega, And many other i3 style clones. You can make a few upgrades to one of these and be able to print ABS and PETG just fine. Looking at definitely under $400 for the printer plus the upgrades. Maybe even under $300.

2. "Upgraded" PLA printer. This is basically this is the same printer above, but with the upgrades I mentioned installed by the factory. Also probably from a slightly more name-brand company (i.e. Prusa). You're looking at more like a $700 to $900 price tag. Potentially worth it for the out-of-the-box useability with higher temp materials, and the more notable reputability of the company. But I didn't want to spend the money on those two things.

I have two Anycubic I3 Megas. I love them. They have a welded steel frame. I can stand on them while they print (believe me, I've tried it). I upgraded them to Capricorn bowden tube, all metal GulfCoastRobotics hotends, the quieter stepper drivers, PEI bed sheets, Noctua fans, and MOSFETs for the bed and the hotend. I'm about $375 into each printer. I love them. I can press "Print" and walk away.

[Rainmaker]

Actually, just checked out the Creality website, and the Creality CR-6 SE looks pretty dang nice.

[KMDPB]

My first printer was a tevo tornado that I bought for 500 a few years back i constantly had problems with it and bought an ender 3 for $170 about 6 months ago and It is amazing never had any problems with it until just now, and should be easily fixed. You cant beat it for the price. If I were you I'd start with the ender 3 and if you really get into it down the road you can always buy a nicer printer, then you'll have 2 which is nice.

[JonM]

Another thing about the Creality printers is that they have an enormous amount of aftermarket support. To put it into paintball terms, they have essentially become the Autocockers of the 3D printing world. There are tons of mods and upgrades made specifically for these printers. Just keep in mind that if you do go down this path, the cost of mods and upgrades can easily exceed the cost of a “higher end” printer like a Prusa. I have essentially upgraded or replaced nearly half of all my original parts over time.

[Spider!]

Personally, I like the idea of starting with a PLA printer to get going, then modifying and tweaking your way to the obstinate filaments like ABS and nylon. You can just buy a PETG capable printer and settle for that for a while.

Since a lot of the goofy filaments like glue on glass bed, I use an old Makerfarm for them and buy tested Prusa filaments for my Prusa mk3, which is generally low mod, low maintenance.