3d printers

[fmyth]

It lets them do multicolor prints without doing a manual filament change. For kids I would tend to think they’d like that a lot.

And this will save Dad a lot of time.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Bumping this back up. My kids are begging for a 3d printer to mess with. I started looking and it seems Bambu is the easy button. Is this still the case. I am looking for the "Tikka" of printers. Cost is a huge factor. Anything sub $1,000 sounds reasonable. Any suggestions? Are all filaments created equal?

Bambu is still an easy button. No all filaments aren't created equal, depends what you're trying to accomplish. Nic nacks pla is fine but they lack temp resistance, petg is better for functional prints that hold up better in heat before needing more to other filaments.

Do these ever go on sale? I saw earlier in the thread someone talk about an annual sale.

Yes they have a yearly anniversary sale ~June

Where does pla fall? Need filtration or no? Is it usable for most typical projects or just the cheaper looking type stuff.

Depends on how much you're printing and where its at. Quick print no not really, run a long print in a closed room and some pla (esp. PLA plus variants) gave me a headache. I rarely bother with PLA for stuff anymore but any melting plastic in magnitude off gasses some stuff. I have mine in a non sealed cabinet with a fan ducted out the window to create airflow.

Interesting. So the extra nozzle is worth it?

Could be fun or more hassle depending on their interests / needs. The second nozzle isnt' the same feed mechanism and will have lower print quality, its ideally designed for support materials that don't require high print quality.

A bigger distinction for that printer is it has heated chamber which if you print certain filaments can be useful.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Edit to add if getting the AMS system the AMS2 addressed alot of complaints folks had with the original AMS, so pay attention when picking combos since they offer some with either option. Plus the AMS2 can dry most filaments also (not while actively printing which is still a complaint folks have but better than nothing at all like the original).

 

[sierracharlie338]

Dang I’ve been spiraling in the rabbit hole lol prob looking at the P1S now

 

[406flyfish]

Sorry, don’t know what’s competitive in that particular price range. I will say, 3D printer has been great for myself and an added bonus for the kids.

I’ve printed parts for my GFC camper, Stand for my bow, the options are limitless..

 

[406flyfish]

Edit to add if getting the AMS system the AMS2 addressed alot of complaints folks had with the original AMS, so pay attention when picking combos since they offer some with either option. Plus the AMS2 can dry most filaments also (not while actively printing which is still a complaint folks have but better than nothing at all like the original).

Pretty sure that has or is being corrected in the next firmware update.

 

[Crossweaponary]

Under $400–$500 I’d look at the Bambu Lab A1 Mini or A1. They’re very beginner friendly, basically setup and print, and work fine with Mac.
If you want cheaper, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE is solid but needs more tinkering.
For kids, I’d personally go Bambu Lab A1 Mini for the easiest experience.

 

[HuntHarder]

Thanks for the crash course guys. I started watching some videos today. Tomorrow I am hoping work is quiet and I will dive a little deeper.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Pretty sure that has or is being corrected in the next firmware update.

Could be, I haven’t chased firmware updates because if things are working I don’t want a change to futz something up in terms of consistency.

 

[jagunn550]

Bought my son an Elegoo Neptune about 2yrs ago for $150. For the money, it does well. He has fun with it and its a great newbie model to learn on.

 

[Scottyboy]

Recently got a Bambu A1 for the kids and it’s been awesome, only 500hrs of print time so we are still learning….it’s the easy button for sure, but download slicer into a PC and the easy button gets a lot cooler with what you can do. We’ll be upgrading at some point, but have yet to find anything the A1 can’t do (aside from their friends wanting a life sized horse printed…..)

 

[Titan]

I’ve been printing gridfinity tool boxes for suppressors,etc. pick and pull foam inside or gridfinity bins.

My H2D just came in so I can now print the large toolbox. Going to need a lot more filament!

 

[dieselchessy]

We have a Prusa Core One. Bought the kit for -$1k and had the kid assemble it so he could learn. Didnt want to be locked into the Bambu Labs software environment.

We’ve used Prusa and Sunlu PLA and PETG. Prusa seems to print better, but Sunlu works good and is cheaper. $20-$30 a 1k roll.
Filament storage tubs and desiccant.$50

Amazon.com: YOOPAI Pro Filament Storage Box – Single Spool Airtight Filament Storage Container for Protection with Desiccants, Precision Moisture Control and Dust Proof for 3D Printing Filament (6 Pack) : Industrial & Scientific

Amazon.com: YOOPAI Pro Filament Storage Box – Single Spool Airtight Filament Storage Container for Protection with Desiccants, Precision Moisture Control and Dust Proof for 3D Printing Filament (6 Pack) : Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com - FURWEY 12 Pack Rechargeable Desiccant Packs, 100g Each, Blue, Color Indicating Silica Gel Dehumidifier Bags for Storage, Closets, Cars, Bins

Amazon.com - FURWEY 12 Pack Rechargeable Desiccant Packs, 100g Each, Blue, Color Indicating Silica Gel Dehumidifier Bags for Storage, Closets, Cars, Bins

www.amazon.com

Bought a window adapter, flex pipe, a vent fan, and printed the duct adapter for the back of the enclosure. Vents the fumes outside. -$125

Amazon.com: AC Infinity CLOUDLINE PRO S4, Quiet 4” Inline Duct Fan with Speed Controller – EC Motor Ventilation Exhaust Fan for Heating Cooling Booster, Grow Tents, Hydroponics : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: AC Infinity CLOUDLINE PRO S4, Quiet 4” Inline Duct Fan with Speed Controller – EC Motor Ventilation Exhaust Fan for Heating Cooling Booster, Grow Tents, Hydroponics : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Daisypower Dryer Vent Window Kit, Adjustable Window Vent Kit with Outdoor Dryer Vent Cover,4 Inch Hood for Exhaust Ventilation : Appliances

Amazon.com: Daisypower Dryer Vent Window Kit, Adjustable Window Vent Kit with Outdoor Dryer Vent Cover,4 Inch Hood for Exhaust Ventilation : Appliances

www.amazon.com

AC Infinity Flexible 4-Inch Aluminum Ducting, Heavy-Duty Four-Layer Protection, 8-Feet Long for Heating Cooling Ventilation and Exhaust - Amazon.com

AC Infinity Flexible 4-Inch Aluminum Ducting, Heavy-Duty Four-Layer Protection, 8-Feet Long for Heating Cooling Ventilation and Exhaust - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Bought the Creality 2 roll filament dryer.$80

Amazon.com: 2026 New Official CREALITY Space Pi Filament Dryer Plus, 2 Spools Double 360° 160W PTC Fast Heating 3D Printer Filament Dryer Box, 4''LCD Touch Screen, One-Key Set Filament Drying for PLA PETG ABS TPU : Industrial & Scientific

Amazon.com: 2026 New Official CREALITY Space Pi Filament Dryer Plus, 2 Spools Double 360° 160W PTC Fast Heating 3D Printer Filament Dryer Box, 4''LCD Touch Screen, One-Key Set Filament Drying for PLA PETG ABS TPU : Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

Bought a Lowes tool cabinet and butcher block(cut to fit the top) to set the operation on. Printed the tool organizers. $250

Surge suppressor to plug it all in. $50
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0000513AU?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Bought a $20 tool kit with de-buring tool, files, ect…

I probably have $1700 to $2000 into the operation not counting the computer we already had to use the Prusa slicer and Fusion 360.
The printer we started with was a more expensive one, but even with a cheap one I’d have been north of $1k just for a basic enclosed and vented setup.

Dont add it all up like I just did. Much better to just stick with “I spent $1k on a 3d printer”.