I Want to build my own custom 3d printer so I can get to know 3d printing better but I want to keep the cost low. Could you guys post some places where I can find cheap parts. I also still want a heated print bed too.
I Want to build my own custom 3d printer so I can get to know 3d printing better but I want to keep the cost low. Could you guys post some places where I can find cheap parts. I also still want a heated print bed too.
When trying to cut corners and build the least expensive possible RepRap design, you can often save money by scrounging up stepper motors from a local HAM event or by digging through old 2D printers and scanners. (I tend to just buy a set of NEMA 14s or NEMA 17s so that they all haeve the same characteristics for ease of maintenance. 14's run around $15 USD each, while 17's are generally just over $20 USD each). You will need four stepper motors (X, Y and Z axis + Extruder) for a minimum configuration, althought some Cartesian systems use two motors to drive the Z axis in which case you would need an additional stepper and stepper controller..
The electronics tend to be the most costly basic component, with a single-board like the RAMBO running around $90 USD each, but you can also get an Arduino Mega + RAMPS + 4 Pololu-compatible stepper motor drivers for around $45 USD for the whole set via places like EBay. These are the latest ones I got that way as an example:
You can build your own boards and equivalents using chips, but to get started I suggest pre-manufactured electronics.
These are the most costly pieces before the extruder. The hot end like a J-Head will run around $40-60 USD each, depending on the type of materials used in its manufacturing.
A HBP will by another $15-20 USD, while the rest can be sourced locally using different structural materials (extruded aluminum like 80/20 can be cheap or costly depending on quantities needed), etc.
Hope that helps.
Kirk Hausman
A few good sources I have used when I needed parts in a hurry:
https://www.ultimaker.com/t/spare-parts
The printers I built for the 3D Printing for Dummies book used complete kits:
Mendel Max (http://www.makerstoolworks.com/)
Rostock Max (SeeMeCNC | Delta 3D Printers for your desktop)
It all just depends on where you want to fall in the [Cost-Quality-Rapidity] triangle (the more of one, the less of the others). You can also find the PrinterBot Simple kit (http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-simple/) available at Element 14 itself as well in the Store (US: Newark element14 US | Electronic Components Distributor, Electrical Parts).
