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Hey guys, I’m new to this forum, so sorry in advance if this is in the wrong place!

So, onto the question. I want to get my first 3D printer, and with my small budget, I’ve narrowed down the contenders to two different printers. Both were chosen because they’re cheap, and either I’ve bought from the company before or they’re in Canada.

One: The Hobbyking Mini Fabrikator by Tiny Boy. (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__82022__Fabrikator_Mini_3D_Printer_V1_5_Transparent_US_110V.html) This is the cheapest one, and though it has some problems like overheating, there is a large community that goes through all its problems and describes solutions. Its build area is 80mm x 80mm x 80mm.

Two: The Delta Rostock from electronicgeek.ca (http://www.electronicgeek.ca/collections/3dprinters/products/delta-rostock-mini-3d-printer-k800-diy-kit?variant=5577778819) This one is a hundred dollars more but the build area is bigger - 170 mm diameter x 240 mm height. It also runs off an arduino and a ramps 1.4 board, rather than the strange all in one in the fabrikator. This is my favourite of the two, but I’m wondering what the quality is like.

Has anyone bought either and can vouch for their quality? Especially the second one though, as it is my preference at the moment.

Thanks!

Edit: So I’ve decided to go with neither if these printers, and now I’m going with the Wanhao i3! Thanks everyone for the input!

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Hi,

I would go with the Rostock, but looking at the design its a Kossel Printer not Rostock! I have both Rostock and Kossel printers and they are great but can be quite challenging to calibrate for the first time. But the are great articles how to do it correctly and there is a google group for deltas where you can ask for help always.

I would definitely go with heated bed option, and please get some money and order the mgn12 linear rail option also its really worth the money. i don’t like these wheels rolling on Alu profiles…

Regards,

Tamas

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Hi Tamas, thanks for the quick reply!

The delta was the one I was thinking of going for. Can you tell me what the difference is between rostock and kossel? Are they just different brands? I probably will find the first time calibration hard, but that’s how you learn! I don’t think I’ll go with the heated bed, as PLA should suit my needs. What is so bad about the default rails? Do I need the extra accuracy the upgrades give?

Thanks!

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Hi,

Rostock was the first delta printer designed by Johann Rocholl http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:17175

There was a problem with using 8mm rods for the towers they were tend to bend during print, so the Kossel was designed with ALU profiles to make a rigid frame for the printer, and with Liner rails for smooth motion.

Then in 2014 deltas became very popular with lot of different designs, but most of them copied the Kossel. To reduce the cost they started to use plastic rollers but I am not a fan of them, they kinda work but not precision parts compared to rails, you can start with the rollers than you can upgrade later on, rails will improve the surface of the prints.

Please keep the heated bed option it will make sooooo much easier to get the prints stuck to the build plate if the bed is heated.

When you make big prints witch can take 16-24 hours you need all the tools to keep the print on the table during the print and the heated bed is the best option for this.

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Thanks for the clarification. If I do get it I think I may as well get the two upgrades. However, I now have another dilemma. Should I go with that delta printer, or this Prusa i3? http://www.replikeo.com/en/3d-printer-kits/9-prusa-i3-3d-printer-full-kit-.html The prusa is cheaper, and I think it has a slightly bigger build volume, but which would be easier to build/maintain?

Edit: I looked up some reviews for the replikeo i3 and they didn’t come up great at all. I think I’ll stick with the delta.

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To be honest, personally I don’t like prusa i3 because of the moving platform to Y direction, but they are good, and easy to maintain printers, and the best value for the money still. I have supported more then 30 3D printer builds for whom had chosen a Prusa i3 to build (kits or totaly self built). For your first printer its the best chioce.

The kit you linked doesn’t have an LCD controller with SD card reader, so you will need a PC with USB connected for the entire print. I would say the LCD with SD is a must to have, its more easy to run the printer.

i would recommend this printer its 30 USD more(okay shipping is different story), but you don’t need even to screw it together it comes assembled, and it has a really good and stable steel frame with LCD.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-Upgraded-Quality-High-Precision-wanhao-Prusa-i3-DIY-3d-Printer-kit-with-LCD/32429097902.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.1.iDEoKa&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_9,searchweb201644_1_505_506_503_504_502_10001_10002_10016_10017_10010_10005_10011_10006_10003_10004_10009_10008,searchweb201560_1,searchweb1451318400_-1,searchweb1451318411_6450&btsid=85ee4684-237d-45c4-ace3-a2633252de81

I will link you a blog page for real prints of these machines sorry its not in English but the print pictures are not manipulated:

The guy who write this vlog is a wanho reseller, and I know him and all prints pictures are real:

Just check posts with I3:

http://3dnyomtatas.blog.hu/

Wanhao usually makes great makerbot clone printers and they waited a lot to come out with this I3 clone printer, they fixed all the issues witch were common with i3 printers.

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The tiny boy is a nice introduction to 3d printing, Biggest disadvantage: the small build volume. I own a ‘normal’ fabrikator with 15x15x10 and even this is rather smal my next printer would be something like 20x20x20… Much bigger is not necessary, because time gets an issue then.

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Thanks for pointing me in the right direction! I’ve looked at some reviews and the Wanhao i3 looks really good for the money! I think that’s what I’ll go for now. Let’s just hope I don’t change my mind again!

Thanks!

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Those are 2 totaly different type of 3D Printer. You can’t compare.

To start i recommand a cartesian one, like the Fabrikator. Delta is not easy to calibrate.

Keep in mind that regarding build place, Delta is “round” not square. I use more often Square space than round one.

I have a Fabrikator, not the Mini. work fine for month’s.

My next printer will be a larger and faster one mendelmax-3 250 x 315 x 197mm

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The Mini Fabricator is a great introduction into 3D printing. However, its quality is not always perfect!

Cheers,

www.3dexfilament.co.uk