Personal 3D Printer

[roguerower]

Does anyone on here actually have their own 3D printer that they use on a frequent basis? I've always thought it would be cool to get one, but could never justify it seeing as how the novelty would probably wear off after the 10th little trinket and then it would just sit in the corner.

If you do own one, what kind of things are you printing with it, what kind of costs are involved, and is it really worth it?

 

[nickbits]

n/m

 

[twinrider1]

...I've always thought it would be cool to get one, but could never justify it seeing as how the novelty would probably wear off after the 10th little trinket and then it would just sit in the corner...

You nailed it right there.

 

[smackababy]

My friend has one and he really likes it. He makes models and crap like that though. He actually said it took a lot of work to be able to make the file to print correctly though.

 

[Kaido]

If you do own one, what kind of things are you printing with it, what kind of costs are involved, and is it really worth it?

I haven't found the justification to actually buy one yet. I think they're way cool, but yeah, it'd just be another thing for tinkering with. If you don't want to make the investment and would rather have access to a large pool of printers & materials, check out Shapeways - you can send them your 3D model to print for a fee:

http://www.shapeways.com/

They have stuff like plastic, sandstone, sterling silver, etc:

http://www.shapeways.com/materials?li=nav

 

[SlitheryDee]

I think they could be immensely useful if they ever become widespread enough for companies to assume most people have access to one. Companies that don't want to sell all the little individual plastic parts that may break on their products could sell the 3-d printer plans for them instead. Simple things like remote control battery covers, plastic dvd drive gears, R/C car parts, or virtually any other of those little plastic parts that once broken or lost seem never to get replaced.

If that kind of coverage ever happens, it won't be for a long time yet though. I see no reason to get a 3-d printer now. It's the classic chicken/egg conundrum I guess.

 

[vi edit]

If you were big into tabletop gaming I could see them being incredibly useful to produce counters/tokens/basic miniatures/ect to replace or improve on existing game pieces.

 

[purbeast0]

My wife works in high end optical a and the company Mikita makes 3D printed frames that I believe sell for $500 or more. Just start printing frames to make your money back!

 

[Newell Steamer]

I have no reason to get one.

If I was working for an art/design/engineering firm. Or, if I was an artist of some sorts, I can certainly see the uses for something like this.

 

[vi edit]

My wife works in high end optical a and the company Mikita makes 3D printed frames that I believe sell for $500 or more. Just start printing frames to make your money back!

Is the material made from a 3d printer really strong enough to hold up? I'd figure that it would snap off at the hinges being that it looks fairly...soft? As far as plastics go.

 

[Dirigible]

Good friend of mine owns one. One of his hobbies is rc planes and quadrotors that he designs and builds. The planes are largely foam. He regularly 3d prints brackets, gussets and that sort of thing.

I would not get nearly as much use from a 3d printer.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

it can be good if you want to prototype stuff or maybe make stuff to sell on etsy or something. you can buy kits to build your own printer or get one of the self replicating ones if you want to split the cost with someone.

if you just want to print a couple of things here and there it might be easier/cheaper to use a site like shapeways.com

Shapeways is a Dutch founded, New York based 3D printing marketplace and service, startup company. Users design and upload 3D printable files, and Shapeways prints the objects for them or others.[1][2] Users can have objects printed from a variety of materials, including food-safe ceramics

I think staples started offering 3d printing at some locations also.
http://www.fastcocreate.com/3030061/staples-3d-printing-service-has-arrived

 

[Phoenix86]

Manufacturer's engineering needs to open the flood-gate on simple designs. Show me a downloadable gear, spacer, or widget that 100% matches my product.

 

[purbeast0]

Is the material made from a 3d printer really strong enough to hold up? I'd figure that it would snap off at the hinges being that it looks fairly...soft? As far as plastics go.

here is the collection. they have a ton of them made with this process.

https://mykita.com/en/mylon

 

[roguerower]

Yea, I could see it if you were heavy into Warhammer, RC vehicles, or liked to make and sell small trinkets, but other than that I don't see the widespread use of them for the next 5 years or so.

 

[WiseUp216]

I haven't found the justification to actually buy one yet. I think they're way cool, but yeah, it'd just be another thing for tinkering with. If you don't want to make the investment and would rather have access to a large pool of printers & materials, check out Shapeways - you can send them your 3D model to print for a fee:

http://www.shapeways.com/

They have stuff like plastic, sandstone, sterling silver, etc:

http://www.shapeways.com/materials?li=nav

Wow, cool site. I just ordered this in black:

https://www.shapeways.com/model/999231/darwin-s-cladogram-tree-with-finches.html