And can anyone tell me the ARFCOM of 3D Printers?

The big thread

https://www.ar15.com/forums/General/Cheap-3D-printer-diy-kit-ETA-Now-general-3D-printing-discussion-/5-1972310/?page=1

I've read the first 20 pages or so.  I was hoping for a wider spread of topics re: 3D printing in a more...  browsable format.

reprap forums, reprap.org, tho at times thats a pretty quiet group.

Tom Sanladerer on youtube has a forum too, again low volume.

Other than that, its scour youtube, theres reviews and builds for everything out there.

Thanks man!

The most polished guys:  3d printing nerd, makers muse
most technical: tom sanladerer, tech2c
more everyguy;  chep at filament friday, 3d printing professor

MOST AWESOME MAKER OF ALL,  Ivan Miranda !!
Ivan is a hoot, very funny guy, makes awesome stuff.

@motopic
I can't wait for him to get the cannon mated to the tank.....awesome

I had assumed that this thread was dead.  Thanks for the additional replies.

I'm actually considering requesting a Home Manufacturing forum for things like 3D printers, tabletop CNC routers, laser cutters and waterjets.  This seems relevant since OpenBuilds has info on building all of these systems to your own personal specifications.

Seriously, no replies?

I know we have a ton of DIY types here on ARF, I thought for certain my last post would generate some interest.

Must be the thread title.

I was looking for a place to post the following
question, and this looks like a good place.

I want to buy a home use 3d printer for my
son & I. He's 13, and while he is smart, he's
lazy about homework in general, but really
lazy with math. He has expressed an interest
in a 3d printer. I am interested in this purchase
because if he wants to print items, he will have
to do the math with his own designed items, and
I think it will make it fun for him.

I am a retired mechanical designer. 3D printers
were available before I left full time work, but I
never got to play/work with one.

What do I buy?

A friend said the ABS will be more durable than
PLA, so I think I want to go that route.

Probable items to be made are scale GI Joe
accessories, model train & RC plane parts,
and anything else  we can think of.

Thanks in advance!

John

@Johnny_C

Global_Cooling posted a link to the big 3d printer thread, you'll get more traction and more opinions in there than in this thread.

Having said that, I'm a buy once - cry once kinda person, so I'd say buy an Original Prusa for $800, including shipping.

Start with PLA, learn your printer, learn the slicing software.  Then you CAN move to ABS (you'll pretty much need to build an enclosure for your printer, ABS requires that the ambient temp be kept high so the layers bond), but I'd recommend PETG instead.  It has most of the characteristics of ABS (with the notable exception of not being soluble in acetone, so no easy chemical smoothing) and doesn't require an enclosure.

If the $800 is outside your budget, post in the other thread for other options/opinions, we'll get you fixed up.

Thanks for the input. $800 is more
than I was thinking, but I do believe
in buy one cry once, too.

I read the other thread.

John