Have You considered getting a 3D printer

I bought an ender 3 pro about 18 months ago. I don't use it that much but when I have found a use for it, it has been invaluable. Pinting small items like electronics enclosures and one-off brackets and mounts has been the main use for me. I certainly couldn't see myself without one now!

Seems like a good idea, since 3D printing can produce parts that would be difficult or impossible using normal machining methods.

But can't think of an immediate need for one at present. No doubt, once having bone, all sorts of uses would come to mind.

Just need to be finally persuaded!

Howard

I'd considered getting one for quite some time before I finally bought a Creality Ender 5 back in the summer. I've been impressed with the print quality from such a low priced printer, but found some tuning was required for better results - takes a little while, but usually worth it. I've also bought a couple of upgrades for it, as well as 3D printed one or two. It hasn't had much rest since I bought it and I'm finding it very useful for my hobbies; being able to now print stuff I never knew I needed previously! I did wonder about the requirement to be familiar with CAD before I bought it, as I've never been terribly au fait with any CAD package, but there's millions of 'things' on various websites that have been well designed by others and it's often easy to adapt or modify those to suit your own requirements. I've also managed to get to partial grips with Tinkercad and been able to draw a few simple parts for myself. Print failures are to be expected now and then, but usually only cost a bit of time and a few feet of filament. - my biggest to date was caused by a power cut around halfway through a 2 day print, so my printer now is powered via an Uninterruptable Power Supply which will run it for about an hour. Overall, well worthwhile getting it!

I have one, from 2014 which is not very good. It's been sitting collecting dust for a couple of years now.

At work, I had the use of a Stratasys, but that lab's closed down. Every once in a while I think of picking another one up for home, but... (have CNC metalworking machines and a lack of time for *those*...)

Here's a picture of my Printrbot Simple - laser cut wood, Dremel sanding disks and fishing line for axis drives... Was High Tech at the time!

I realise that responses may be skewed towards people who have an interest in 3D printing, but despite their still being some people who are sceptical of their value it's clear that they are now a commonplace tool in our workshops.

I suspect it would be fair to say that owning a 3D printer is probably more common in the hobby than owning a mill was thirty or forty years ago.

I must say I am more than a little surprised that none of the regular suppliers to the hobby have decided to stock 'mid range' machines for a price comparable to a small lathe.

Keep voting folks - the picture could change...

Neil

I will be looking hard at them when I am sure the heat resistance is where I need it, and that means stability not just melting temperature. I know that materials with 150-170C are out there now so its pretty close.

Off course metal additive manufacture is available but that costs money as the machines are very expensive.

Generally I am waiting for the technology to make live steam, detailed models fast, for example printing a traction engine wheel set in a weekend rather than slaving for weeks. Those awkward little brackets that you can't see from a couple of feet away etc.

I see my 3D printer as another workshop tool. For those that doubt their usefulness, here is a list of some of the things I have made for the workshop:

1. Brackets for DRO on mill
2. Ring light for mill
3. Rotary laser centre finder
4. Lathe QCTP mount for DTI
5. Tool centre height gauge
6. Case for lathe DRO
7. Dremel bench stand
8. Small screw cut to length jig for Dremel
9. Dremel drum sander attachment
10. Rotary Laser centre finder
11. Cases for test equipment
12. Misc knobs and levers

These are in addition to various things for the home and printing parts for my much modified Prusa style printer.

John

John if available I would be interested in whether the STL files are publicly available for 4, 5, 7 and 8.

I have considered getting one, but at the moment I have too many other things to do.

Andy C

I have sent you a PM

I would most probably purchase one if the well known model engineering suppliers stocked them and they were reviewed in one of the magazines. I purchased Alibre Atom 3D purely because of the articles in MEW a couple of years ago, I am struggling a bit but only because I spent many years on 2d Autocad and have to learn a totally new way of doing things. My next purchase though must be some version of 3D CAM, no point in having the CAD if I cannot get the G code for the mill, perhaps then thoughts will turn to the 3D printer.

Andy C, I have done a QCTP Dial Gauge holder, search it on EBay just to have a look then private message me for the file if suitable.

Just supposing, I was to show an interest in a printer, not that I do at the moment! which would you recommend?

David

The Creality Ender something (whatever number they are now up to) is probably the most popular at the cheap end of the market.

I would recommend the Sovol SVO1 - but only because that is the one I bought (after very careful consideration, mind).

My recommendation is already well out of date, as these things move on at a pace, and may not be suitable for what you would need.

Heat resistance is never going to be particularly good with fused filament deposition as by definition it uses thermoplastics.

Neil

Anyone printed a connection box with lid to fit on a NEMA23 stepper to allow connection to the incoming 4 core cable ?

Emgee

Anyone printed a connection box with lid to fit on a NEMA23 stepper to allow connection to the incoming 4 core cable ?

I have printed one from Thingiverse - if you search "Nema 23" there are several, though most seem to be designed to take a 4 pole circular connector. I intend to print an adapter to change the connector hole to an M12 or M16 conduit thread to use a cable gland - don't like using un-necessary connectors if I can avoid it.

Nigel B.

Hi Neil, about 3D printing by FDM and heat resistant materials: for several years Stratasys and other firms have offered service bureau printing of both Ultem PEI and PEEK polymers. I had some valve parts for a steam sterilizer made in 2011 in Ultem in my day job, and they withstood the heat OK but were a bit porous. A recent article about the various machines is below. The technology exists and is actively being developed.

https://www.3dnatives.com/en/ranking-3d-printers-peek-ultem020520184/#!

Parts FDM'd in both these resins can operate at over 100 deg C. The nozzle temps on some machines reach 470 deg C for PEEK.Just to be clear, these are multi million dollar commercial machines, and 3D printed parts in these materials are far more expensive than regular service polymers like PLA,ABS,etc. As far as I know no one is offering a home type low cost machine to 3D print Ultem or PEEK in the home shop. They may, someday.

Edited By Jeff Dayman on 14/12/2020 12:31:05

Just bought one! Creality Ender 3 Pro @ £152.20 Banggood - UK based so free 3 day delivery...

That NZ spaceship operation print their own rocket engines