Seeking advice on a robust, proven, high quality printer! $4000 or less!

Hello,

I know this topic has been probably answered hundreds of times but even after doing my own research, it is hard to come to a decision.

• I am looking to purchase a 3D printer under $4000 to manufacture and replicate car interior pieces for some vintage/old cars.
• So far, I like the ABS plastics for car interior since it is heat resistant, and maybe some nylon based materials (correct me if i'm wrong) for smaller more intricate pieces such as small plastic gears and such for car pieces as well.
• I want a larger than average printing surface as well, definitely something a bit larger than 7x7x7.
• Looking for a printer that could possibly be upgradable in the future as well.
• Precision, dependable, printer quality, speed is important (in that order).
• Definitely want to stay away from proprietary materials such as the Form's 1 - Resin or printers that will be hard to upgrade in the future.
• I can assemble my machine
• I guess I'm looking at Fused Filament Fab. I looked at the Mojo from Stratasys (lease for $200 per month) but it prints on a smaller bed. Form 1's Stereolithography looks good as well, but like i said- it requires the resin (Which is expensive now) maybe proprietay? and prints on a smaller bed.
• Opensource software OK

I will be partnering with my brother who is a mechanical engineer. He has experience with Solidworks (CAD) specially surfacing. I will me modelling large interior pieces such as a DIN radio face (For older cars), and smaller pieces like armrests, switches, buttons, panels, small models, etc.

These printers are on top of my list so far..:
(Not in a particular order)
• Series 1 - Type A
• Makerbot Replicator X2
• Zortrax
• Lulzbot Taz 3D Printer
• Isis 3D

I know there are some few RepRap printers out there, just not sure what is better.
I was looking at the Printrbot Plus, but I've read a lot of complaints as far as leveling the bed, calibration, some hex nuts not fitting well and becoming loose, belt tensioner, etc.

I know it is hard to just pick one printer- I want to hear you, and tell me what is the overall best printer, that prints above than average quality, and requires little maintenance.

I've looked online for reviews, and have been in touch with a few people - but I just need more info before I pull the trigger.
By the way, there is really nothing trust-worthy online as far as a side-by-side product comparison and that is why I'm here!

Any input WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

Thank you,

Cesar M

Hi Cesar,

Have you looked at FDM (or FFF) printed parts up close? Are you aware the surface finish is not smooth? Or were you planning to add a finishing process (like acetone vapor bath for ABS)?

I think one thing you should do before purchasing a 3D printer is to either have one or two parts you'll have designed 3D printed by an online service like Shapeways, or a local rapid prototyping service. Or maybe visit a local makers fair, or local hackerspace if there are any. You need to look at FDM at face value and decide if it's going to be good enough for what you are planning.

As for your list of printers, I don't have comments on the first two. The Zortrax is a new printer, not shipped yet; they will have to ship the Kickstarter orders before shipping any new printer. Personally I would be cautious and wait until most Kickstarter backers have received theirs and see what's their inputs.

The Lulzbot TAZ seems to be a good choice, but it's actually out of stock; I know they are currently working on redesigning it for the second batch, they want to reduce the amount of printed parts going into its construction, which will also reduce production time.

The Isis 3D is a newcomer, it's not even available yet, and it's just a clone of the MendelMax 2.0. I suggest you have a look at this topic: [forums.reprap.org] I would be cautious about these people who pretend they're reinventing the wheel when in fact they are riding on the backs of others, without giving credit where it's due. I find this unethical.

Good luck with your quest!

Cheers,

Norm

Thank you for your prompt response.

Finish matters sometimes. For ABS stuff, I will be using acetone vapor.
For other finished products, I will be wrapping them with other materials. I've thought about sanding down as well first.

I just recently got off the phone with the VP of Marketing for Maker's Tool Works. I inquired about the MendelMax 2.0.

So far it seems like a solid system. Any opinion on that one?

I was planning on getting that one, not assembled, with a E3D hot end, and the LCD screen so it can print in a different room with no computer attached to it. I was thinking of printing nylon in the future, so I will need the E3D.

The E3D hot end is excellent. I have three of them, two are used in a dual extrusion setup on my printer. Nylon can be printed with a PEEK/PTFE hot end, but it runs at close to the maximum temperature of those materials, so an all-metal hot end is a good choice.

The MendelMax 2.0 looks like a pretty solid system. I don't have personal experience with one though.

---

Help improve the RepRap wiki! Just click "Edit" in the top-right corner of the page and start typing. Anyone can edit the wiki!

If your brother is a mechanical engineer I definitely would suggest designing and building your own on the list you gave I think the Taz is probably the best but still I don't think you are going to be happy with it leasing a pro-quality one is a good bet probably too small for what you're going to make and high price of raw material also you have to make things in pieces join and finish them I used to be a prototype engineer for professional loudspeaker company I built one as a tool for myself obviously I can't show you anything I printed for them but I have a few test pieces I did and a few pictures of machine and prints the Yoda was acetone dipped in painted with high solvent lacquer which also helps melt surface the bottle opener was just a way it came off the machine no postprocessing think of it as a four axis CNC machine use Mach 3 or EMC 2 to control it I would suggest using kisslicer for slicing software if you Google large scale repstrap you should see a couple short videos of my machine running