Kit for First Time Builder

I've been intersted in 3D printing for a long time and am looking to build a printer in order to gain a better understanding of how the technology works. I have experience building PC's and am comptenent at sodering, and I am looking to spend no more than $700 and would like a first time kit that will help develop my knowedge of 3D printing without being overly simple that I could have just purchased a preassembled printer or so complex that a first time builder would be hopelessly lost. Searching through previous topics, it seems like the Makergear Prusa Mendel and Reprap Pro Mendel are popular options for newcomers to Reprap. Are these good choices or does anyone in the community have any other reccomendations?

Thanks!

The best kit on the market is the Mendel90 in my opinion. Kits based on a threaded rod frame are more complex to stabilize.

But I don't know of a supplier in the USA in your price range.

I built a Smartrap as my first printer. I think it's a good starter. Think I have somewhere around $250 in it.





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2014 07:39PM by madmike8.