Any 3D printing geeks here?

[ignoramus]

I'm looking to buy one to fiddle with in my upcoming retirement.
Been watching lots of youtube vids.

I'm mainly interested in dual extruders (to use soluble with the PLA filament for easy cleanup.
Must be under 1K.

So far, nothing makes a lot of sense. People are spending hundered or thousands of dollars to print something worth 2 dollars

One lady even printed a dildo? That's a bloody expensive dildo! (Not that I would know!!!)

[The Grand Nudger]

Yass.  I have a Maker for custom valves.  If you have hobby interests get a Bosch.
(I have one for my kids so they can make minecraft toys off my iphone)

One lady even printed a dildo? That's a bloody expensive dildo! (Not that I would know!!!)

White Fang!  All you need is cig cellophane and soap.

[zebo-the-fat]

Not tried a 3d printer, but having fun with a laser engraver (but it does fill the house with the smell of smoke!)

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I don't think it would be legal to 3D print geeks. 

Boru

[vulcanlogician]

Looked at thread title and author.

Knew instantly that dildos would be mentioned.

Seriously though, as someone considering getting back into table top rpgs, I thought it would be nice for figurines, custom dice, and terrain items (like dungeons walls etc).

Iggy, what do you mean thousands of dollars to print something worth $2? I thought it was a huge upfront investment, but printing individual things is rather cheap. Am I missing something?

[AFTT47]

I've worked with it a little at work.

It's a great idea in principle but the technology is in its infancy. For anyone old enough to remember, think about ink jet printers in the 1980s. It was fucking amazing but a total nightmare for anyone without a lot of money and the patience of a saint.

[ignoramus]

Ok, after watching a fuckton of videos (based on the new kilogram fuckton standard of course), yes, they are basically nerdy gadgets for the majority of people.
Definitely still in their infancy. But with the right one, you can made usable and practical stuff.
(eg: don't wait around for anything to print, you'll die of boredom!)
I believe Auto makers are using 3D printed parts for their vehicles now.
But let's not conflate the industrial sector (read very expensive machines) with the nerdy world.

See here to see what the geeks are making...
https://www.thingiverse.com/newest

Basically the biggest selling "cheapo" is the Prusa (Czech) brand.

here:
https://www.prusa3d.com/original-prusa-i3-mk3/

VL, my biggest concern is that I'm going to spend 2K Australian (by the time I get the multi filament module), to make what? A coffee coaster?
I, like most nerds won't be able to justify the purchase from a financial ROI point of view. I just hope I don't get bored with it too quickly.

Most on ebay are based on open source and are Chinese. Cheap but very junky with little or no testing/quality control. The Prusa is an exception.
Gae, show us what you or the kids have printed if you can?

[Fireball]

There are 3D printers that generate parts made of titanium that are airworthy and spaceworthy. Not sure that's what you want. 

I used to design tools as part of my job, and used the 3D printing capability for show and tell before I committed to making a subtractively machined device. I didn't code the 3D machine, we had a guy who had that job.

[AFTT47]

There are 3D printers that generate parts made of titanium that are airworthy and spaceworthy. Not sure that's what you want. 

I used to design tools as part of my job, and used the 3D printing capability for show and tell before I committed to making a subtractively machined device. I didn't code the 3D machine, we had a guy who had that job.

That's the high-end, though. Mainstream units have a way to go.

[Fake Messiah]

What about CR-10? It's around $400 and seems pretty good