Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
I am currently in the process of building a small CNC machine.
The plans call for a number of 3d printed parts and the relative files are freely available on line at github. I want to eventually get in to 3d printing properly and wonder if it would be a good idea to pick up a 2nd hand Prusa Mk 2 and initially just use it to print the parts I need for my CNC machine. 😕 If I go that route I guess I wont have to initially learn too much about the design side. The cost of getting 3D printed parts done commercially is quite high and I could offset those costs against the price of the 2nd hand machine.
Once I have the CNC up and running I could then invest the time in to more in-depth learning about 3D printing.
Of course I then have to actually find a Mk2 available for sale and at a sensible price. 😆
Oh...and if by chance I have posted in the wrong place mods feel free to relocate it.
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
I was in the same boat late last year. I wanted to build a CNC router to play with in my wood shop and I thought having a 3D printer would make fabricating a lot of it's parts easier. I went with a mk3, and I can say that as a total noob to 3D printing, it has proven to be super easy to get started with this machine. I've been having so much fun with it that my CNC router parts are still in boxes on the floor and I've had the printer since March! The mk2 has a great reputation so unless it's worn out, I don't think you could go wrong. I'll caution you, though, that you may find that you enjoy 3D printing so much that you'll end up ordering a new one eventually anyway. Might as well get a new one now! LOL
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
I find the resell value pretty high of the 3d printers and especially original Prusa. My choice was always to buy a new one.
Often linked posts:
Going small with MMU2
Real Multi Material
My prints on Instagram
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
A co-worked said to me his son receive a 3D printer from school for projects. It was a cheaper I3 knock off. They've had nothing but trouble. It will all depend on the quality and support.
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
Hi,
I bought a MK3 kit, no experience whatsoever in 3D print or 3D design.
I can say that I had a very good experience and assembling the kit was really easy,
I know that the MK3 is a bit expensive but I shouldn't go the MK2, although I've not used it personally. The MK3 ha a lot of advanced features that makes easier for a rookie to work with it.
I recommend to get the kit, you will learn about the printer itself, will get good quality 3D parts for the CNC with no much trouble.
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
I hear what you all say and thanks for the suggestions. If I had my choice a pre-assembled Mk3 would be top of my list.
Cost is a bit of an issue though which leads me to consider the Mk2. I am not sure I need all the bells and whistles of the Mk3 from day one and can upgrade later as I learn. A more expensive route in the long run but I can spread the cost and a 2nd hand one is more likely to come up than the latest model.
I have thought of going the kit route, genuine Prusai3 as opposed to one of the clones, but time is not on my side as I am building and learning CNC Routing (Shapeoko3) and I have a car that I have been restoring "since Adam played fullback for Jerusalem" and a Classic Honda NSR50 motorbike almost as long. I also have wood-turning that is being neglected a bit currently. Probably my fault for going back to work 2 days a week after retiring for the 2nd time. Now I am planning to also build a CraftCNC and a lot of the parts are 3D printed and files available free. Some parts are Laser cut acrylic and I plan to cut those on the Shapeoko3 instead.
If I told my dearly beloved I had just taken on another project she would have the men in white coats lined up to take me away. 😆
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
Alan,
You don't say where you are but I saw a used MK2S offered for sale on one of the Facebook groups. It's in Greece and the seller is looking for 400 Euro - is that of interest to you?
Bill
Tagaytay City, Philippines
Founder member of Philippines Prusa Printer Owners FB Group
Sponsor Pillars of God Academy in Bacoor
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
There are no good ways--only heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, soul-killing ways. 😈
You sound handy/skilled enough that you could likely have a kit up & running in a long afternoon. Jes Sayin'...
If you go the used route, I'd suggest seeing it print something start to finish, preferably one of the parts you want to print on it anyway. I think you get why. The seller may object, and it could take some time, but if there's something that needs adjusting/tinkering, you could spend longer at that than if you'd just bought a kit and built it.
Otherwise, I commiserate understand completely... So many hobbies--so little time! :geek:
That's "MISTER Old Fart" to you!
Re: Is this a good way to get in to 3d printing?
Bill,
Greece is a bit far away...I am in New Zealand.
Must update my profile