3d Printer

[Billy Dickinson]

Hi everybody, I am Thinking about getting a 3D Printer, one of the filament types, not resin. But I’m wondering what it can bring to the hobby. I see lots of what you might call ‘tat’ on demonstration videos, but what Im hoping for is maybe printing bases and nameplates. Sundry items if you like that might help in the hobby/modelling in general. I don’t have a serviceable laptop and only use an ipad these days. Is this an obstacle when it comes to slicing software etc ? Does anybody have experience of these filament printers for the hobby? Any advice would be welcome….
Billy

 

[Merryweather]

Billy, I am a professional model builder and I have used filament printers for many years. They are not high enough resolution for what we do.. if you are determined to get into 3d printing,then resin is the one for our hobby. I can't answer the question about using an iPad as I am a pc user.
Good luck
Neil

 

[Billy Dickinson]

Thanks Merryweather. The resin printers seem more complicated to me, along with hazards that go with handling the chemicals involved. Space is also limited. Maybe I’m just reading too much into it.. more thought needs to go into it me thinks
Billy

 

[Merryweather]

Hi Billy
reading your post again I see you mentioned bases and nameplates.
A filament printer is quite good for bases or plinths if you don't mind seeing the build lines. I wouldn't expect much from, say a building, but a landscape would work, quite well specially if you were going to texture it anyway. Nameplates, though, not so good, but might be worth a try. To be fair they are quite cheap to buy and the filament is cheap, so if you are of a tinkering mind you might find it fun, but expect a learning curve.
There's always some kind of process involved with all printers, nothing comes off the printer ready to use, and they all need a fair bit of processing to set up a print.
As for the resin printers, yes they are smelly and sticky but I don't actually find them more complicated to use.
There's a thread on another forum
https://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/fdm-pla-3d-printing-with-a-model-making-inclination.40977/
which you may find interesting.
all the best
Neil

 

[Billy Dickinson]

Thanks Neil.. that thread certainly is interesting. The guy has even printed out some terrain bases amongst many other models, which have progressively got better as time has gone on.There’s a lot to it and will for certain be a learning curve, which is a good thing to keep the old brain cells active. I think I will try the filament printer to start off with and experience, space etc allowing I may progress to a resin one in time.
Cheers and best wishes….
Billy

 

[Merryweather]

Hi Billy
I just received this via email, you might find it helpful


https://all3dp.com/1/best-3d-printer-for-beginners/

 

[Billy Dickinson]

Thanks for that Neil. The Sovol 6 seems to be a contender . I had in mind the Ender 3 V2 neo, but the Sovol might just pip it. So many pros and cons to take into consideration! One review of the Sovol actually printed out one of Sid Naique’s busts (with his permission) and from the photo it seemed pretty good …. I realise now this is something that can’t be rushed into. Appreciate the help Neil. Thanks again
Billy