Prime Day Not So Prime

[Kaido]

Do they have 3D copiers yet? It would be convenient taking that latch for example, gluing it together, putting it in your scanner, then have the printer make another copy.

Sort of. There are handheld models & there are desk-mount models with stuff like spinning platforms. The last couple of iPads also have LIDAR scanners built-in, I have a couple apps for mine but the technology still has a long way to go. There are also some iPhone 3D scanners that use the camera:

Your Phone, Your 3D Studio: Best Scanner Apps for Android & iPhone

Check out the best 3D scanner apps for iPhone and Android. They're fun, accessible, and great for photogrammetry!

all3dp.com

There are also some open-source projects:

The Best Open-Source 3D Scanners

Open-source 3D scanners make the technology cost-effective and customizable. Check out the best open-source projects!

all3dp.com

OpenScan is a pretty cool project:

OpenScan - 3D Scanning for the Masses

We create the future of accessible, high-quality 3D scanning with our DIY photogrammetry-based 3D scanners. Compatible with various cameras, our scanners offer a cost-effective solution for 3D printing, modeling, reverse engineering, or product presentation. Our open-source and modular design...

en.openscan.eu

An example of a small desktop scanner:

A review of a bunch of higher-res handheld 3D scanners:

What would be cool is if they combined a 3D printer with an enclosure that doubled as a 3D scanning box, so you could stick a part in, 3D scan it, remove it, then have it print it. Basically a replicator from Star Trek but for plastic lol.

 

[Kaido]

Do they have 3D copiers yet? It would be convenient taking that latch for example, gluing it together, putting it in your scanner, then have the printer make another copy.

Ah here we go! Apparently not great, but it's a start!

 

[Torn Mind]

3D Printers are what reminds me that I'm have a brute force monkey brain. I cannot comprehend them.....I really just can't wrap my head around printing in three dimensions....

 

[IndyColtsFan]

3D Printers are what reminds me that I'm have a brute force monkey brain. I cannot comprehend them.....I really just can't wrap my head around printing in three dimensions....

Think of it this way - the software takes a model and slices it into dozens/hundreds/thousands of 2D layers. The printer printed each layer and when done, the software tells it to move up a certain distance and print the next 2D layer on top of the previous one.

 

[Motostu]

Do they have 3D copiers yet? It would be convenient taking that latch for example, gluing it together, putting it in your scanner, then have the printer make another copy.

I think for some things that could work. Not sure about this, though, since it has internal spaces required. This is all one piece.


Not perfect, but does the job.

 

[Muse]

I've got an Ender 3 v2. In addition to the stuff that Kaido mentioned (there are some awesome projects out there!), I've downloaded Autodesk Fusion 360 (free for personal use) to draw parts that I sometimes need to fix things around the house/garage. Just today I drew up and printed a catch latch for the console of my truck that I haven't been able to find for sale anywhere (without buying a complete console ).

So, when printing parts like that, what is the material they're made of?

I fix stuff quite frequently. A lot of times I need to work up something for the fix, maybe cut a piece of metal, shape it with various tools including my homemade grinder, my rotating tools, files, hacksaw, etc. I work in wood sometimes, other times plastic, of course steel of various types and aluminum. I use glues a lot, e.g. epoxy and contact cement. I frequently use velcro, staples, screws, nails, I have a whole lot of random and not so random hardware, also a pretty good imagination when it comes to adapting and fixing things.

 

[Motostu]

There are a variety of plastic filaments available, all of which have their pros/cons. For the latch above I used PETG because it has a good mix of durability and relative ease of use; it is relatively forgiving during the print process unlike something even more durable like ABS. ABS is an option (probably a better option for automotive for its heat/impact resistance), but I haven't yet tried it and have heard it can take a bit of practice to keep larger prints from warping. If I'm printing something fun, or sometimes for a test-fit print before a final, I'll generally use PLA. It's pretty simple to print with, but isn't really very durable.

I'm really somewhat of a newbie as I just got mine last fall. Kaido, IndyColtsFan, and others here can provide much better insight.

 

[MrSquished]

I needed to buy mineral oil for a new end grain wood cutting board I just ordered so I can season it. There was a highly rated one on Amazon that had a prime day discount. So I guess I shopped on Prime day. Whatever.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

There are a variety of plastic filaments available, all of which have their pros/cons. For the latch above I used PETG because it has a good mix of durability and relative ease of use; it is relatively forgiving during the print process unlike something even more durable like ABS. ABS is an option (probably a better option for automotive for its heat/impact resistance), but I haven't yet tried it and have heard it can take a bit of practice to keep larger prints from warping. If I'm printing something fun, or sometimes for a test-fit print before a final, I'll generally use PLA. It's pretty simple to print with, but isn't really very durable.

I'm really somewhat of a newbie as I just got mine last fall. Kaido, IndyColtsFan, and others here can provide much better insight.

That's a pretty good summary. PLA, PETG, ABS, and TPU are the main plastics most consumer-level printers can print out-of-the-box with some settings tweaks and (in the case of ABS especially) putting the printer in an enclosure. If you change out some of the hardware (for example, going with a different hot-end and steel nozzles), you can print plastics like Nylon and various other plastics but they're towards the higher end of most consumer hot ends. I stick to PLA myself simply because it's cheap, has lots of colors, and is easy to print. For what I print (mainly Star Wars stuff, random parts, and some stuff for the garden - for example, we have small LED landscape lights along the back patio so I printed holiday covers for them for Halloween and Christmas. I set the print settings for low/no infill and the lights made the plastic glow pretty good. We threw a Halloween movie party outdoors last fall and here is an example of what the Halloween covers looked like (white ghosts, orange pumpkins, purple witch hats, and green skulls):



This picture isn't quite as good, but for Christmas, I printed multi-faceted bulb covers in various colors for those same lights:



And of course, my favorite - my Mandalorian nativity scene which I printed and painted - the transparent green Yoda ghost was my personal touch and has a tea light inside:






Obviously there are other printer technologies out there - Kaido referenced a resin printer earlier and then there are ceramic printers, which I don't know much about. It's a fun hobby and I seem to always be printing something especially related to my Star Wars addiction.

 

[dainthomas]

It's only good for their own products. Other than that, mostly for outdated electronics or other junk.

I picked up a new fire stick and one of the Tile trackers for my mom who always loses her keys.

 

[RPD]

Prime day thread turned into 3D printer humble brag thread..

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Bought a JBL Xtreme2 bluetooth speaker for $150. It's the previous model they are trying to get rid of. But still a decent deal.

I was looking at a soundbar and sub for a great price but I hesitated and it was sold out by last night. Only available from third parties for more money.

 

[UsandThem]

I only ordered $30 worth of stuff this Prime sale, making it my lowest total since they first began running this sale. Nothing was a "I have to buy it at this price" decision IMO.

in fact, I only ordered $30 worth of stuff because they gave me a $10 Prime Day credit to use since I purchased something before the sale. It was a few CDs and movies I had in my wish list for years (and a dishwasher dirty/clean magnet).

I ended up spending considerably more at Sideshow Collectibles this Prime Day (which follows my purchasing trend over the last few years when it comes between tech vs. toys).

 

[Kaido]

3D Printers are what reminds me that I'm have a brute force monkey brain. I cannot comprehend them.....I really just can't wrap my head around printing in three dimensions....

It's a lot less complicated than you think. It's essentially just a hot glue gun on train tracks. It goes forward & back, and left and right to draw a picture, then goes up & down after the first layer of plastic goop is heated up & pushed out of the nozzle. Basically a robot Etch-a-sketch but with thickness layers going vertically. They've been working on 3D-printing houses using concrete & it kind of helps to visualize the process better. It's sort of like piping out icing on cake:

 

[Kaido]

So, when printing parts like that, what is the material they're made of?

I fix stuff quite frequently. A lot of times I need to work up something for the fix, maybe cut a piece of metal, shape it with various tools including my homemade grinder, my rotating tools, files, hacksaw, etc. I work in wood sometimes, other times plastic, of course steel of various types and aluminum. I use glues a lot, e.g. epoxy and contact cement. I frequently use velcro, staples, screws, nails, I have a whole lot of random and not so random hardware, also a pretty good imagination when it comes to adapting and fixing things.

The most basic material is PLA, which is like Plastic for Noobs. You can do ABS (way stronger), but it requires ventilation as it's toxic & requires a little more setup to do propery. They also have flexible TPU, which is sort of like what phone cases are made out of. Those are the three basic materials for FDM printers. There's also another plastic called PETG, plus impregnated stuff like Wood PLA: (not my pic)



Resin is the other type, which is the liquid goop that you flash with a small LCD screen to harden, sort of like women's fingernails that get UV cured under the blue light to solidify. But the post-processing (cleanup part afterwards) is kind of nasty, which is why FDM is so popular...just hook up the plastic wire in the color of your choice & start printing! You mentioned that you have a good imagination; Fusion 360 is a great free 3D package for personal use that can generate models for 3D printers:

Fusion 360 for Personal Use | Fusion 360 | Autodesk

Download Fusion 360 for personal, non-commercial use. Get access to free CAD, CAM, CAE and PCB software for qualifying individuals here.

www.autodesk.com

The creativity is only limited by your imagination, effort, and willingness to learn. This dude printed an entire functioning Ironman suit, complete with LEDs, a motorized face mask, and a slick paintjob, all on a $400 3D printer:

 

[Zorba]

All other retailers like Target, Bestbuy, Home Depot, Lowes, etc. price match Amazon during Prime Day. So it is sort of good deal and benefits everyone.

But I don't remember Prime Day deals ever being good. Not even the first one. So why are people still talking about Prime Day year after year? You would think people learn after a year or two. Apparently not.

I used to be able to get real good deals on baby stuff and toddler toys. Don't need that anymore and didn't really see much in the way of great deals.

 

[Geekbabe]

All I got was a nice Mr Coffee machine, the 5 cup Amazon machine we have been using will be cleaned & put away as a backup. The last Mr Coffee I had lasted for years so hopefully this one will too.

 

[Scarpozzi]

All I got was a nice Mr Coffee machine, the 5 cup Amazon machine we have been using will be cleaned & put away as a backup. The last Mr Coffee I had lasted for years so hopefully this one will too.

I just went to my timeshare on the coast where they had a Mr. Coffee. The first morning we got there, we made a few cups of decaf for a guest staying with us. Poured that into a mug and refilled the water/coffee for a full pot of regular coffee and the thing wouldn't come on. I googled it and apparently, they commonly have issues with some safety mechanism causing them to go out. The power goes through the bottom of the machine and basically is fused somehow. Just be aware that they're not the quality they used to be because they're too 'safe'...? I want a coffee pot that has no safety mechanisms and just works...

As fort he Keurig discussion above....I can't endorse them because when I use those coffee pods, they always taste like plastic to me. I tried really hard to like it....I had one of those at my desk for a long time and just didn't enjoy the coffee as much as I do budget coffee out of my Bunn coffee pot (my usual one) or french press. Before the Bunn coffee pot (which makes a full pot in about 3 mins due to the pre-heated water tank), I had switched from Mr. Coffee to a Black & Decker and liked it pretty good. The Bunn brews faster, so it takes more ground coffee to make the same strength the B&D did due to the thicker filters and slower drip.

If you're going to get a pod type machine, the best one I ever used was in a boutique hotel. It was a Nespresso machine, but it was a hotel/commercial version. I can't say how well the home versions do in comparison. I just know the foil packs these machines use don't have an aftertaste like Keurig does.

 

[Motostu]

Not a lot there grabbing my attention. The first couple of years there were a few decent deals, but had to filter through a lot of junk to find them. Grabbed one more Fire stick and a spool of white PLA for my 3D printer; that's probably all I'll get this time around.

Add an air purifier to my list of Prime day purchases. They had a decent discount on one I'd been considering for a while. Interesting that for some of their deals they didn't alert to the lower price in my 'saved for later' items in my cart. I had to actually go to the product page. Weeding out the lazy shoppers I guess?

 

[Scarpozzi]

Add an air purifier to my list of Prime day purchases. They had a decent discount on one I'd been considering for a while. Interesting that for some of their deals they didn't alert to the lower price in my 'saved for later' items in my cart. I had to actually go to the product page. Weeding out the lazy shoppers I guess?

I need to get another one. I wish I had thought about that yesterday.

 

[nakedfrog]

It looks like the sit-stand corner desk I ordered was probably about $5 off regular price, plus another 1% cash back for using my Prime credit card (6% instead of the normal 5%). I was planning on ordering it soon anyway, and a tiny discount is better than no discount.

 

[ewdotson]

Yeah, this was a pretty underwhelming Prime Day. I run the snack club at my office, so I picked up some cookies and chips. That was about it.

 

[manly]

I need to get another one. I wish I had thought about that yesterday.

Good deal if you need one now:

Winix C535 True HEPA 3-Stage Air Purifier w/ PlasmaWave Technology & SmartSensors $99 + Free Shipping

Walmart has Winix C535 True HEPA 3-Stage Air Purifier w/ PlasmaWave Technology & SmartSensors on sale for $99. Shipping is free. Thanks to community member SplendidLaborer9506 for sharing t ...

slickdeals.net

This is fairly comparable to the Coway machines, although the AQ sensor doesn't require any maintenance. The C535 was originally a Costco-exclusive model that compares closely to the Winix 5300-2 model. People tend to like the C535 more than the C545 currently being sold at Costco.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Good deal if you need one now:

Winix C535 True HEPA 3-Stage Air Purifier w/ PlasmaWave Technology & SmartSensors $99 + Free Shipping

Walmart has Winix C535 True HEPA 3-Stage Air Purifier w/ PlasmaWave Technology & SmartSensors on sale for $99. Shipping is free. Thanks to community member SplendidLaborer9506 for sharing t ...

slickdeals.net

This is fairly comparable to the Coway machines, although the AQ sensor doesn't require any maintenance. The C535 was originally a Costco-exclusive model that compares closely to the Winix 5300-2 model. People tend to like the C535 more than the C545 currently being sold at Costco.

I was looking at that earlier. I may pull the trigger on it...I'm just trying to come to terms with all the other money going out the window this month first.