3d Print online for small jobs?

alan_d

stator wrote: »

Given the costs I've seen so far, a cheap 3d printer for £150 is more attractive. But that's just me looking for a good excuse to buy a new toy.

Based on my experience with several printers, over many years, it will be rubbish.
I run a genuine Prusa printer for most jobs because it churns out quality results - but that cost considerably more than you were looking at

stator

DoaM wrote: »

So you don't believe the employee doing the setup and ensuring the printing goes without error should be getting paid at all?

That's exactly what I said.
People should work for me for free.
I want the printing area covered in gold leaf
I want 5 people standing around the printer to monitor the print job.
I want the finished model dipped in holy water

They should be priveleged to receive my order.
They should hand deliver everything to my front door within 24hrs of my order being place.


I have the same requirements when I want posters printed at the local copy shop. They don't have a problem with it, so why should anyone else?

S0litaire

alan_d wrote: »

Based on my experience with several printers, over many years, it will be rubbish.
I run a genuine Prusa printer for most jobs because it churns out quality results - but that cost considerably more than you were looking at

I bought an Creality Ender 3 just before Christmas (£150 including delivery) it took just over 3 weeks to arrive and been using it a lot.

Quality is great for the price (Got lucky with the Quality control lottery!), but you do need to tinker with these cheaper printers a lot more than something like the Prusa Mrk3's. But that's half the fun! ;D

stator

Yeah, I've seen reviews for that one online, looked ok for a hobby/fun printer.

Not sure how well it would print a threaded adapter like I need.


I have this crazy idea of creating my own working model maglev train with a 3d printer, some magnets and a raspberry pi
As I'd ever have the time.

forgotmyname

Buy yourself a 3D printer, you will find so many uses for one.

Issue attaching a 3D printed item to a radiator is that some filaments get really soft when warmed.

One of my better gadgets, it gets used a lot. You want to pay £20 for the print job. Do you realise how long it can take to print some items and the cost of a decent quality filament?

Ive had some good cheap filament but the sellers have all vanished. Strange.

Takmon

psychic_teabag wrote: »

I have a friend with a 3d printer who does one-off prints for people. (It's mostly board-game stuff he does, but would be happy to print anything off thingiverse.) I won't advertise his services here, but you can PM me if you want a contact.

From his webpage : "Fully custom designs, or models from Thingiverse, are also available; again, get in touch to talk about what's possible."

He certainly shouldn't be doing that alot of the items on Thingiesverse have a license that specifically prohibits them being printed and sold. Plus it's morally questionable to make money from someone else's work.

andybirch

There is a website called 3D-hubs that you send the printer files to and they send it to someone local tonyou who will print it for you. Not used it but believe it is a good service and reasonably priced.

alan_d

andybirch wrote: »

There is a website called 3D-hubs that you send the printer files to and they send it to someone local tonyou who will print it for you. Not used it but believe it is a good service and reasonably priced.

I used to sell via 3Dhubs, however they changed their business model around October last year meaning you had to be VAT registered and be able to provide formal invoices to be a printing hub with them.
The turnover wasn't enough to make this cost effective, so like most, I abandoned them.
The net result is that now only a few companies for-fill the printing orders, and the cost to the customer has increased.