3D Printers

I purchased my first 3D printer in the summer of 2012, but received it in the late fall. I ended up with two Solidoodle 2 printers, each with a build volume of 6″ x 6″ x 6″. They provide reasonable print quality at a very reasonable price (about $600 each with the heated bed). I have made quite a few tweaks to make them behave more reasonably, including the magnetically mounted plastic side panels and the plastic top. Once set up, they print reliably.

My third 3D printer was ordered in the winter of 2013 and arrived in the summer of 2013. The Aluminatus is the brain-child of Trinity Labs. While TL had many amazing goals, the printer had many teething pains, from wiring to hot ends to Z axis banding. The primary features of this printer is physical robustness combined with a much larger build volume than is available with most of the lower-end printers (12″ x 12″ x 12″). It was my work horse.

I use Repetier Host software to drive the printers, along with Slic3r and Cura slicing software. I also use Netfabb Basic to correct damaged meshes, and OpenSCAD to create most of my 3D models.

More recent printers include a Photon resin printer, a Prusa MK3S, a Creality CR-10, and a Raise3D N2+.