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Good 3d printer?

Former Member

Hey guys I was wondering if http://printrbot.com/shop/simple-tower/ would be a good 3d printer to start off with. All I wish to do with it is make cases for completed projects involving a raspberri pi or whatever I may make. Is this good as a starter?

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    That isn't a 3D printer, it is an accessory for the printrbot simple, here is the printrbot simple

    http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/

     

    I don't personally like the idea of fishing line for the belts, but have never tried this printer.

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    For several years I've been using a CNC mill to carve out the connector openings for my custom hardware designs.  A couple of years ago I decided that 3D printing was the wave of the future and I would get one for my next case design.  Since then I've tracked 3D printers on a daily basis (thank you Google Alerts) and I've found that hardly a week goes by without an announcment of a new printer and each sounds better than the ones introduced the previous week.  I'm now taking a different approach - instead of buying a 3D printer, I'll simply send my design file to a place that has a printer and let them print it.  I'll pay a bit more than if I had a printer of my own but then I won't have any up front costs either.  And, if you're lucky, there may even be a place nearby where you can get this done.  For example, UPS Stores around the country are starting to put in 3D printers and, in my case, one is located about 20 minutes away.  I checked it out last week and it can do up to 8" x 8" x 6", so it's more than enough for my cases.  Other online places can do even bigger designs.  The nice thing about using a service bureau is that they can buy very good equipment and amortize the costs over a large number of jobs where the individual user does not do enough designs to justify the costs of equipment like this.

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    Hey Nick

    Colecago is right that the tower is just an add-on to the PrintrBot Simple 3d Printer.  If I remember correctly it adds a filament spool and handle.  Now if you’re looking for a user friendly/easy to operate then the simple is right for you.  You might also want to check out MakiBox https://store.makibox.com/#/product-detail?type=1&&option=31.  Makibox is new to the industry but supper cheap.

    Dave, you do bring up a good point that websites have picked up on this and are starting to offer a printing service.  For example Shapeways.com offers you the option to post your designs online and set what they call a “shop” that allows you the ability to set the price for which anyone can pay to have shapeways print your design.  This is a great for people looking to make a little money without having a printer.  Shapeways is just one on the list that offers this kind of service.

     

    Nate