Previously I asked about the Robo and the XYZ Printing 1. Pro printers. After a lot of messages from this very helpful group i have put those two on the maybe not list. One thing about the RoBo was the six month warranty. That bothers me.
Presently I am looking at the two above. Both are Plug and Play to a degree I think, and both around $1,200 my limit to spend. However the build space is very different in that the Flash Forge is a good deal bigger than the Lutzbot. A friend told me the Lutzbot are well made and I did see one in person today at a Micro Center store. I had also considered the QIDI Technology copy of the Flash Forge but concerned about after market support.
So looking for advice so I can make the purchase and start learning.
I had briefly thought about the Rostock MAX V2 Kit but not sure I want to spend that much time building it, although I understand it is perhaps a better printer.
Thanks so much
Jay Beckham in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia!
I had the same dilemma as you. In the end I went with the mini, mostly because I was a complete beginner to 3d Printing. For a noob, the Mini is an excellent machine, levels the bed itself, cleans the nozzle itself, uses open source software (which has a truckload of help online both in communities and tutorials) and has a better resolution than the FlashForge.
But if you’re more experienced then I do not know what to recommend. You can tinker a lot with the mini, but the build size will limit you I guess. And no dual extrusion might limit you as well.
Hope I was of help
Thanks for the reply. I also did the same thing. My Mini should arrive this Monday the 2nd. I can deal with the build size and the resolution is a plus. Also saw one in Towson, MD at Micro Center and it was well built. However, disappointed with Micro Center as the salesman knew less about 3D printers than I did and I know very little. I did buy it directly from the maker, got free shipping and no sales tax. Also they have a complete selection of filaments.
You can print with almost all materials. I think they only advise not to print with carbon fibre because it wears out the nozzle quicker.
Enjoy your purchase! I sure enjoy mine.
I was stuck between the lulzbot mini and FF creator pro as well (I went with the lulzbot mini due to auto bed leveling) here is the research I gathered and wished I could have found broken down for me:
Lulzbot mini:
$1250
+ Auto bed leveling
+ 6x6x6" bed
+ many filament choices
+50 micron
+Cura software
+Easy to use if you are a beginner
+heated bed
+1 yr warranty
No SD slot (must be hooked to a computer the entire print)
No enclosure
Does not come with filament
Flashforge Creator Pro
$899
+dual extruder
+enclosure
+comes with filament
+SD slot
+heated bed
+warranty (if you buy from manufacturer)
+8.9 x 5.9 x 5.7 inches.
100 microns
No auto bed leveling
ALSO i cant vouch for them personally but squaretrade offers extended warranty’s. Might be worth looking into.