3D Printers - anyone got one?

Pugwash69

I hear good things about them, but would consider it a curiosity to tinker with. So are there budget options out there worth trying?
The cheapest one I've seen with good feedback from users is the MakerBot Thing-o-matic but they weigh-in at a quite hefty price!

debitcardmayhem

It's pretty much like 3D TV - waste of money

timbim_2

Print quality that I've seen from the makerbot is pretty poor. Get yourself an arduino and get playing with that. Much more fun than spending hours doing CAD only for it to squirt expensive plastic filament all over the place.

Pugwash69

I use 3DS Max a lot and would create my own files. I just fancy realising some of my ideas physically without getting 3rd party printers involved.

Pugwash69

I'm not sure why, but a post from someone called "fwor" suggesting I look at the "RepRap" has gone from here? I can see it on my daily email from MSE luckily.

It looks like a better start for me, as I would prefer to build my own.

neilwoods

Look on a site called instructables.com, there is plenty of people on there who have created a 3d printer and items from 3d printer.

As for being pointless, they are not a fad, the technology is just going to get better and better.

Pugwash69

I've taken the plunge and ordered a Mendel from RepRapPro. I like the idea that they encourage you to improve the design, and incorporate them into the next version. It was also much cheaper than the Thing-o-matic I has seen!