[Solved] Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens  

RE:

Twelve is very young to have the resposibility for operating and maintaining a sensitive piece of equipment, let alone seven.  I don't know of any budget printers that would be suitable 'though some of the office style fully enclosed and automated machines might be OK - at twenty times the price.

How committed are you to these boys?  Are they close by?

If possible I would suggest a compromise, buy them a printer but YOU host it in your workshop.  It's their machine, their filament, and the maintenance schedule is their responsibility - but you supervise and they are free to come around and use it to some fairly lax, agreed, timetable.  That way you avoid the common problem where expensive, complex toys/tools go a little out of spec, are forced by impatient, frustrated, inexperienced users and before the new year the Christmas present is wrecked.

In due course, if they stick at it, it can be moved to their home when they are experienced enough to manage it without tears.

So the problem now becomes:  Which printer, within budget, do YOU feel competent to maintain AND teach them to do so?

Cheerio,

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

I agree with diem, this sounds like a very young age. That said, maybe take a look at the Flashforge Adventurer style of printers. I had an Adv 3 before I got my first Prusa. The print quality was actually astounding. IF — and that takes us back to the age issue — you have the skills and stamina to go through its insane bed calibration process. Once calibrated, it printed great. I still have some nice minis I printed on it that are at least as good as what my Prusa can produce. But boy, that calibration took all the fun of printing out of it. Don't know if things have improved over the last few years. Otherwise, with its fully enclosed form factor and easy to swap nozzle system, it's as close to "simple" as it gets.

As an alternative, maybe a 3d printing pen may be more appropriate for that age level.

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

You could consider an alternative to buying a 3D printer.  Check out if any local makerspaces would work for them.  Some, but not all have 3D printers available for use.  Some libraries do as well.  That way they can try before grandparents buy to see it they'll really like it.  The maker spaces have an advantage of usually having other tools available as well.  The kids may find they like something else they have even more.

https://makerparts.ca/pages/makerspaces-in-canada

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

Posted by: @kennd

[...] both are highly intelligent, inquisitive and independent. [...]

My 8 year old can download 3D files and send them to the printer as well as change filament, etc. So age should be fine.

Advantage with Prusa printers is the very good documentation for servicing the machine -> that way they can educate themselves. Sure all the maintenance/assembly is easy once you know what you are doing. I would've certainly learned everything needed to handle a cheap printer at the age of 12.

Just make your printer choice depended on how big of a community and/or documentation exists otherwise.

I have to run my MK3 in an enclosure as the stuff I print in PLA is very prone to bend - very frustrating for beginners. A $10 photo box should do, just but a printer with detachable power supply.

Thanks for the suggestions

@diem

“How committed are you to these boys? Are they close by?”

I do not know them at all, just their grandmother, who I have just met recently.

“If possible I would suggest a compromise, buy them a printer but YOU host it in your workshop.......”

Hosting is out of the question as I do not have a workshop, or a garage. I am so short on space I have a MK3S sitting in a corner that I do not have the room to set it up. The wife says the kitchen table is off limits. Hosting would be a great way to go if I knew them better and had room.

“So the problem now becomes: Which printer, within budget, do YOU feel competent to maintain AND teach them to do so?”

I think their budget is around CAD 800.

As an aside, I can confidently and competently maintain any machine once I KNOW how it works. That is what I did for over 46 years. But I am not trying to build a case for or against, just doing a favour by asking.

Your insights and suggestions are always interesting. Hosting? Who would have thought?

Kenn

Thanks for the suggestions

@fushsr

“I agree with diem, this sounds like a very young age.”

It is just a number. Based on just a number, I am too old to have taken up 3D printing. 🙂 On average, I would agree. We all know some children that behave like adults and adults that behave like children. 🙂 

“That said, maybe take a look at the Flashforge Adventurer style of printers. I had an Adv 3 before I got my first Prusa. The print quality was actually astounding..... Otherwise, with its fully enclosed form factor and easy to swap nozzle system, it's as close to "simple" as it gets.”

Sounds like the style of printer that would be suitable.

“As an alternative, maybe a 3d printing pen may be more appropriate for that age level.”

Another interesting idea to consider. Never even thought about a pen.

Kenn

Thanks for the suggestions

@jimb

“You could consider an alternative to buying a 3D printer. Check out if any local makerspaces would work for them. Some, but not all have 3D printers available for use. Some libraries do as well.  That way they can try before grandparents buy to see it they'll really like it. The maker spaces have an advantage of usually having other tools available as well. The kids may find they like something else they have even more.”

Try before you buy! Another great suggestion. Would have to verify age restrictions, etc.

Thanks.

Kenn

Thanks for th suggestions

@electronica

“My 8 year old can download 3D files and send them to the printer as well as change filament, etc. So age should be fine.”

Sounds like he had the benefit of your guidance.

“Just make your printer choice depended on how big of a community and/or documentation exists otherwise.”

Fortunately for me, it is not my choice, but is important to have good documentation and an active user community.

Thanks

Kenn

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

My daughter worked with a company called ‘Toybox.com’ that sells 3D printers targeted at the general age group you mentioned:

https://toybox.com

It appears they have a closed ecosystem with printer, filaments (called ‘printer food’), downloadable models in a hosted library, and accessories.

I have no first hand knowledge of this company or how well funded for supported they are. I’m just aware of them through a business to business relationship via my daughter.

Seems to be a simple and affordable option that may merit further investigation.

Best of luck.

Cheers

Thanks

@randym9

Thanks. I took a look at their website. It is a toy to print toys. The closed ecosystem always costs. The .5 pound spools work out to be around 50$ US per kilogram. Their web base slicer is...web based, so web connection is required. I am not saying that is bad.  I didn't try out it's features because I do not want to create an account. It may be perfect for some, but I think they want more, like an enclosed desktop design.

From what they sell for filament, it appears they have gotten printing with silk filament solved. Good news for everyone that has problems printing with it. It can be done. 🙂 

Kenn

Thanks for pointing it out

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

Hello @kennd -

The closed ecosystem and turn-key nature has a cost, as you point out. No doubt that kit will have its limitations and may be inadequate for an intelligent 12 year old. I wasn’t advocating for it, simply pointing it out, as you said.

I have two grandsons, 8 & 10 who love to spend time (with my help & supervision) searching for cool models to print, downloading & importing to PS, then tweaking, slicing and printing their finds.

And while they are bright, inquisitive, and engaged, as children, with very limited life experience, (in my opinion) they lack the intellectual capacity to safely and skillfully operate a machine as sophisticated (and potentially dangerous) as my MK3S+ alone. There are simply too many unanticipated and unexpected things that can go wrong. 

Of course, 12 is more advanced than 10 and I’m sure some 12 year olds are quite capable in many respects. But who will they call when they get stuck or break something or…? Let’s face it, many (most?) of us grown adults on this site occasionally get stuck. That’s why we’re here! 😂

If you’re prepared to be their on-call tech support team, I’m sure you’ll all have great fun and learn from each other. Otherwise ‘caveat emptor,’

Good luck in your search. 

Cheers

RE: Suggest an entry level 3D printer for preteens

If you’re prepared to be their on-call tech support team, I’m sure you’ll all have great fun and learn from each other. Otherwise ‘caveat emptor,’

I just asked a question for their grandmother. I am not looking forward to providing tech support for MY MK3S that has just developed an intermittent Z level calibration enforced opportunity. 🙂 I hope it makes it through my Christmas printing.

Unless one of the parents has the skills and is 'invested' in it, sounds like they should wait.

Thank you all that contributed to this topic with your intelligent and insightful thought/ideas/suggestions. I will show this topic to their grandmother.

Unfortunately this forum won't let me select all your answers as "the best" one. They were all the best.

Kenn