3d printer, how deep this rabbithole goes?

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MedWoodWorx

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I am flirting with the idea of buying a 3d printer and i would like to ask those among you who already own/operate one for advice. My intention is to make parts like, bushings, tool hangers, jigs etc. so the accuracy doesn't have to be very high. I am leaning towards the Creality3D Ender-3 V2 Neo; this is considered to be a good entry level machine (is it?). My main concern is the learning curve (software & hardware wise, adjustments/debugging etc.) as well as the cost (filament etc.); is printing bushings something doable in reasonable time or i need to study for weeks? is the cost of the consumables something that needs to be taken into serious consideration?
thank you for your time in advance, cheers!
 
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Just do not see the value for what we do in this hobby. Those people that make all those Gisi blanks using that format are wasting money and shows me they have no skills. For things like bushings and small stuff you will outspend what you can buy for using that stuff. Just my opinion.
 
I do a lot of 3D printing across countless projects. Opportunity comes up all the time. On my recent eBike project I 3D printed battery cell support components, spacers and knobs for the battery case, also a trim piece for the controller support. For the metal lathe I did a whole set of tooling brackets as well as a chuck spider. I did a mini chain saw handle for a neighbor and a replacement for a broken pinball machine component. I did a disc balancer for a friend. And so on and so on.

For the printer itself I've made filament guides, several filament reel supports, cable chains, 80-20 inserts, light bracket, etc.

In the pen world I've done actual pens as well as 50cal inserts. I've done pen cases and inserts for pen storage boxes. I did an assembly jig for .308 pens to keep everything aligned. Did a fixture for holding epoxy bottles.

I do all my design work in Fusion 360, export to an .STL file and then slice in Cura. Like anything involving technology there is a pretty steep learning curve, but we'll worth the effort. I use Ender printers and find them a pretty good platform.
 
jttheclockman said:
Just do not see the value for what we do in this hobby. Those people that make all those Gisi blanks using that format are wasting money and shows me they have no skills. For things like bushings and small stuff you will outspend what you can buy for using that stuff. Just my opinion.
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with all due respect i don't like gisi pens; i can understand/appreciate the technique but beyond that i don't fancy them at all.
The thing is that i live in Greece and i have to pay ridiculous amounts of money for my woodworking needs (soft plastic jaws = 30 $, or order a wall chuck stand for a similar amount of money from ebay etc..). Besides that i could print simple bandsaw jigs (i saw plans for a gripper online, you know that jig that is pushing the piece firmly against the fence of the bandsaw) etc.
 
Mach4 said:
I do a lot of 3D printing across countless projects. Opportunity comes up all the time. On my recent eBike project I 3D printed battery cell support components, spacers and knobs for the battery case, also a trim piece for the controller support. For the metal lathe I did a whole set of tooling brackets as well as a chuck spider. I did a mini chain saw handle for a neighbor and a replacement for a broken pinball machine component. I did a disc balancer for a friend. And so on and so on.

For the printer itself I've made filament guides, several filament reel supports, cable chains, 80-20 inserts, light bracket, etc.

In the pen world I've done actual pens as well as 50cal inserts. I've done pen cases and inserts for pen storage boxes. I did an assembly jig for .308 pens to keep everything aligned. Did a fixture for holding epoxy bottles.

I do all my design work in Fusion 360, export to an .STL file and then slice in Cura. Like anything involving technology there is a pretty steep learning curve, but we'll worth the effort. I use Ender printers and find them a pretty good platform.
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so you design your own stuff? did u have any prior design experience?
 
I have two 3D printers, one using filament and the other a DLP that uses castable resins. For small parts, cast in brass or silver that we use in pens, DLP resolution is essential. The learning curve is a little long, don't expect to produce perfect pieces from the first impressions.
 
I was thinking the same thing but procrastinated enough and then found that I can get most anything 3D printed for me at reasonable prices online. I use a couple of different people that print me exactly what I need and ship very quickly.
 
I actually have fun with my creality ender. I've printed a lot of cool things with it. Made some phone holders for me and the wifes bicycles. Some outlet extenders for my electrical outlets. Neat whistles for the gkids. Inkpen holders. It's mostly just a fun toy for me.
 
ccccchunt said:
I was thinking the same thing but procrastinated enough and then found that I can get most anything 3D printed for me at reasonable prices online. I use a couple of different people that print me exactly what I need and ship very quickly.
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yes but these guys/girls live in the US which is pretty far from me...you guys have all the nice toys..:)
 
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