Hi guys,
I’m new to 3D printing except for briefly owning a second-hand Ultimaker 2 which didn’t work properly so I took it back. I’m looking for a 3D printer to print an InMoov lifesize robot on as well as other bits and bobs (mostly robotic). I’m familiar with electronics and tinkering with things so I am happy to build the printer from a kit, but I don’t want to spend endless hours tinkering with it once it’s built, I want to get on and build other projects. Print quality is very important to me and speed is also useful because InMoov’s parts are quite large.
I have narrowed my search down to the following printers and would really appreciate some input on them:
- Prusa i3 upgraded to a steel frame
- Zortrax M200 (put off this due to the proprietory filament and the fact it only prints PLA/ABS)
- Ultimaker 2
- MakerGear M2
If there’s a printer you think I’m overlooking (perhaps the Flashforge Creator Pro or PrintrBot Simple Metal) then please let me know.
Thank you.
2 Likes
I would check out the “2016 Printer Guide” under the “Learn” tab above.
I don’t have experience with any of the machines you mentioned above but I can point some things out for you,
The Prusa and Ultimaker will let you print about any type of filament you can find. The Prusa is RepRap so you can upgrade to about anything you want where the Ultimaker you may have a little harder time.
The Zortrax limits you to their filament but I have seen some very nice, clean prints off their machines.
The Flashforge is basically a Makerbot 2x knock off, you spend a fraction of the cost of a Makerbot.
I like the Robo3d, its basically a Prusa i3.
For print quality you can always sand, polish, etc, etc to get the finish you want.
1 Like
Thanks for your reply. 
I have checked out the 2016 printer guide and the 3D printing trends for March, as well as Makezines reviews of printers (which really annoys me because they never include the Makergear M2?! Why is that?) and I am sure these are four of the best printers in this price bracket at the minute.
I don’t know whether to include the Zortrax in my list, the print quality looks amazing from what I’ve seen and that combined with the ease of use really attracts me. But the fact it’s only ABS? I’ll probably be mostly printing in ABS but I don’t like the idea of investing that much in a machine that is limited to only ABS.
Would I be right in thinking that the amount of tinkering they are going to require will be in the following order, going from most to least. Prusa i3 Steel, Makergear M2, Ultimaker 2, Zortrax M200?
I’d be interested to know just how much continued tinkering will be required with the Prusa i3 if anyone can give me an idea? I’m happy with a bit of tinkering and maintenance, and appreciate 3D printing isn’t currently plug n play, but it seems for some people fiddling with the printer because the hobby in itself, where as for me I want to be spending more time on the robotics.
The advantages with the Prusa and Ultimaker and possibly the Makergear is that you can also change the brass nozzle, so on a final part you can have a high resolution and on a prototype part you can have faster lower resolution part.
If you plan to stick with only abs the Prusa might give you some trouble due to the printer not having a closure. I can be done but a printer with a closure might give you less problems.
Hope I helped!
-CB
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Zortrax is amazing, I have it as my printer, u are not only limited to ABS as there are z-ultrat, z-hips, z-petg, z-glass, z- PCABS; still this is not a big variety of materials. the problem here is that the slicer software of this printer is limited a bit and can’t even print thin wall for example(.4 mm) and u can’t use another software. among the printers u mentioned zortrax will be the best to deal with warping issues and give u excellent prints for very little effort. of course u will still face warping. materials other than ABS sell for 50 dollars for 800 gram spools. while PCABS is 70 USD. Ultimaker 2 is a lot faster than Zortrax and can go down to 20 microns while Zortrax can do 90 at best. PETG is said to have very low warpage but I didn’t try Z-PETG tell now.
bottom line, if u are willing to give some time to fiddle with printing specs and require lots of freedom then go for ultimaker 2.
Zortrax is almost trouble free printing with amazing quality for its range of materials. its main shortage though is its limiting software that doesn’t give lots of options.
u should also check Up Box printer and Cubicon single.
2 Likes
Kerry
6
HI Tim, I currently have had a Printrbot plus, an UpBox, a Mankati XT Plus and a Cubicon Single. I would pick the Cubicon everytime. True set and forget printing. no fiddling around, great for ABS with active heating, self leveling bed, no need for glue sticks, abs juice, kapton, painters tape and prints just lift off once cooled, and no locked in “special” brand name filaments and print quality equal to any other printer on the market. Only downside you have to use their software but the software is good so not such a problem.
There is this new launched 3D printer in the market called Novio 3D. A friend of mine already using one and its output are all awesome. The nozzle tip is changeable to 0.2 nozzle tip that produces very fine and high quality 3D print.
jfield
8
I bought my first printer, a Maker’s Tool Works MendelMax 3, had it since December 2015. It was a kit, I bought the dual extrusion upgrade and had it up and printing before christmas. Some people say: 1. ‘Don’t buy a kit for your first printer’ 2. ‘Don’t buy dual extrusion’ … I didn’t listen to them though: http://www.thingiverse.com/Greenthunder/about
Couldn’t be happier with it, I just assembled it and starting printing, no tuning or fussing around to get awesome prints! They just announced a new model, The Creator, which looks awesome, and is even easier to assemble, and will also have a assembled version.
Zortrax is the way to go. It can print in lots of filaments! Not just what you mentioned.
PCABS, ULTRAT, HIPS, etc are all available.
its ease of use and plug and play ability are fantastic!
Go Zortrax m200. I have 4 of them!
Hi Tim,
It’s not in your list, but have a look at the Builder, I think it’s the best way to start with a dual feed!
venkel
11
My experience is limited to Ultimaker II (2 years) and Felix Pro 1 (four months) and some tests with Zortrax, XYZ and Craftbot.
* UM II is okay, but for me the extruder and hot-end are hampering good results. Noisy.
* Zortrax works fine but no tinkering possible and terrible to get parts off of the build plate.
* XYZ is cheap but toy quality to my taste.
* Craftbot is quite nice, acceptable construction, practical, good software, cheap.
* Felix Pro 1 has top quality extrusion. Mechanical and electrical construction is in a different league, really good and smart. Software is good and you can use alternative slicers if needed. It is so quiet and controlled that I printed ten times more in four months, than in the two years of UM II ownership. Feel free to ask more details.
