Considering a printer, new to the hobby

[BigMike]

Hi everyone,

New to the hobby and really just getting started. I've setup a base Carrera 1/24 set, and am working on planning my final layout.

Looking to the future and what I want my layout to look like I realize I can spend a significant amount of money on scenery, buildings, stands, figures, etc. So I'm thinking that just maybe investing in a 3d Printer is a worthwhile investment.

I've been presented with a Makerbot Replicator 2 locally for 300 with 2 rolls of filament. I've also had my interest sparked in the SLA resin printers hence I'm coming here for advice. Do I get the Makerbot for a good price or is it too far outdated? Do I jump on the Ender 3 wagon? What about the SLA options like the Photon?

One concern on the SLA printers is the build areas seem smaller, unless I step up to the Wanho Duplicator 8 which is 190mm x 120mm x 180mm but also costs a lot more than say the Photon which has a build are of 115mm x 65mm x 165mm... how important is the build are for our hobby?

[chappyman66]

Here is my .02......
Resin printers are super cool and ridiculous expensive, plus apparently the fumes are a thing. Once you fill the tank you need to print the whole thing since you can't save it which adds to the cost

Since you are doing 1/24, you need a larger build area if you want to do bodies and scaled scenery. So make sure you have plenty, some printers have small print volume. Get one with a heated bed, it makes a difference.

With some experiments, you can get settings that will make a pretty smooth body, and excellent figures for the 3ft test (Doc, looking at you!). So I can't justify the cost of the resin printer yet....the PLA is cheap enough to do 30 min of sanding before priming to get a body no one else makes.....

[BigMike]

Thanks Chappyman

Some good feedback there. I may pick up one of the Ender3 units since they are so cheap.

[PetesLightKits]

Really can't go wrong with an Ender3. Great bang for the buck. And I would say pretty much ideal for the kinds of things you want to print.

Peter

[BigMike]

Thanks for the feedback. Think I will order the Anycubic Chiron. 400x400x450 print area. Looks like they had some initial problems but have them resolved. With that large print area I'm thinking I'll be able to do some fun prints.

[BigMike]

Well the Chiron arrived on Friday, was easy to setup and get running. Leveled the bed and fired off a couple of small test prints. Initial results have been great, printed a T-Rex skull for the 4 year old grandson's birthday next weekend, some guitar picks for a friend that's teaching me to play, and am looking forward to doing more soon. I'll get some images up this evening.

[chappyman66]

All of a sudden your whole world changes......
My wife asked why it was quiet yesterday and I didn't have the printer running. I saw someone selling one with a couple hundred hours or use..... sheeesh, mine actually has over 1500.... it's almost always running with something....

Welcome to the club!

[BigMike]

Thanks Chappyman,

Yeah it's fun and definitely something that opens new possibilities in so many different directions.