Hi all! I am researching and very slowly getting ready to a plan of attack together to build a 3D Printer, probably the Prusa i3...a kit is just way out of my price range (I'm a teacher), so I was thinking about putting it together in stages...getting the frame done and then moving onto to the next steps. I see on Ebay and Amazon smaller kits for different build stages and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with those? I've been studying all of the Prusa manuals on the RepRapWiki and my hope is to put a functional one together to show my students and then work with them to build their own. One thing I know for sure, I want to include an SD card so I don't have to leave my laptop attached or worry about it shutting off mid-print. Thanks! ~N https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278090#msg-278090 Sat, 06 Jun 2026 03:50:02 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,287884#msg-287884 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,287884#msg-287884 source individual parts cheaper (just the individual shipping adds up).

You mention you are a teacher. Are you building this to use in the class room? If so
there a lots of small grants that can be found to help with the cost.

Buy from a US based vendor. While the UK and Europe vendors are reliable to my knowledge
shipping and time lag for support is an issue. I would stay away from any far east
vendors - I just have not heard good things.

You don't mention a budget?]]> bytemedwb Reprappers Thu, 02 Jan 2014 08:11:40 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,287553#msg-287553 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,287553#msg-287553
Have you looked at Rep-strapping? Start by making a 3d printer with whatever you can, purchase the parts for the final printer and build them around your improvised frame. Use this to print your printed parts of the final printer, when they are done disassemble the rep-strap and use the parts in your new, stronger frame. There are some great pics out there of Lego rep-straps that look really cool. This is definately for the person who has lots of time for the project, but not much $$ to do it.
Good Luck!]]> Nununugent Reprappers Wed, 01 Jan 2014 13:34:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,285765#msg-285765 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,285765#msg-285765 uncle_bob Reprappers Sat, 28 Dec 2013 14:20:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,285450#msg-285450 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,285450#msg-285450
Right now I keep going back and forth between the i2 and i3, I'm just not sure which to go with.]]> BlaiddDrwg Reprappers Fri, 27 Dec 2013 18:15:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278362#msg-278362 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278362#msg-278362 uncle_bob Reprappers Tue, 10 Dec 2013 18:13:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278292#msg-278292 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278292#msg-278292 Printrbot for dirt cheap. I believe they have an optional LCD kit too.
It may not be very big, but if you are just wanting to tinker, then this is a good option.]]> MrBaz Reprappers Tue, 10 Dec 2013 15:43:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278224#msg-278224 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278224#msg-278224 Maxx Mayhem Reprappers Tue, 10 Dec 2013 13:27:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278184#msg-278184 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278184#msg-278184 uncle_bob Reprappers Tue, 10 Dec 2013 12:15:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278090#msg-278090 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,278090,278090#msg-278090
One thing I know for sure, I want to include an SD card so I don't have to leave my laptop attached or worry about it shutting off mid-print.


Thanks!
~N]]> BlaiddDrwg Reprappers Tue, 10 Dec 2013 08:54:35 -0500