Its going to be pretty expensive just be prepared unless you are ordering higher quantities or can fill out a build plate. Will be cheaper to just get a cheaper printer and learn to print your own parts.
I'd argue that point. A decent printer is going to start at $450. A good printer is going to be $700 - $1500 or more. $700 will buy a lot of 3D prints as a service especially from 3D Hubs where most people are undervaluing their services.
If one wants a 3D printer just like any other tool in their workshop, then it's an investment that will pay off in the long run, but the occasional print here and there, meh, a 3D print service would do fine.
Also, local libraries may be a 3D print resource. Our local libraries will print parts for you at cost. Quality is not that great because they aren't experts, but it's possible to get a decent print from them.
Admittedly decent is subjective. To make a $200 printer what I consider decent you're going to throw another $200 at it and endless hours. And in the end achieving acceptable quality will be possible, but like dancing on the head of a pin.
Look at the Prusa Mk3s, excellent fdm printer that is more open source. If you want something more controlled look at Ultimaker. Check out MatterHackers for others, the majority of printers sold on that site are better quality.
I know these are stupid questions and I apologize, but I'm not current with any of the printing stuff.
What do you mean open source vs controlled? Is that related to what you are "printing"? Are the manufacturers able to lockdown certain files or some bullshit like that?
Some 3d printers are more closed product environments, meaning their software is proprietary, they make you use only their parts on the printer, they make you use only their plastic filament on the printer. Think more like Apple on these 3d printers. Others utilize open software, open parts, open to any plastic filament usage. Think more like Android on these.
Its going to be pretty expensive just be prepared unless you are ordering higher quantities or can fill out a build plate. Will be cheaper to just get a cheaper printer and learn to print your own parts.
I'd argue that point. A decent printer is going to start at $450. A good printer is going to be $700 - $1500 or more. $700 will buy a lot of 3D prints as a service especially from 3D Hubs where most people are undervaluing their services.
If one wants a 3D printer just like any other tool in their workshop, then it's an investment that will pay off in the long run, but the occasional print here and there, meh, a 3D print service would do fine.
Also, local libraries may be a 3D print resource. Our local libraries will print parts for you at cost. Quality is not that great because they aren't experts, but it's possible to get a decent print from them.
Ender 3 goes for $170, the Elegoo Neptune 2 just came out for $160 both are great beginners printers that can be upgraded
You can get a decent printer for 200, easily. I did 5 years ago.
Admittedly decent is subjective. To make a $200 printer what I consider decent you're going to throw another $200 at it and endless hours. And in the end achieving acceptable quality will be possible, but like dancing on the head of a pin.
A Prusa original it will not be.
What is a non-cheap printer you'd recommend? Something $2k+
I need to make some business purchases soon and can swing this as an expense
hee hee I've got something coming down the pipe too for around that much, wonder if I should take the plunge and start learning 3d printing myself
Look at the Prusa Mk3s, excellent fdm printer that is more open source. If you want something more controlled look at Ultimaker. Check out MatterHackers for others, the majority of printers sold on that site are better quality.
I know these are stupid questions and I apologize, but I'm not current with any of the printing stuff.
What do you mean open source vs controlled? Is that related to what you are "printing"? Are the manufacturers able to lockdown certain files or some bullshit like that?
Some 3d printers are more closed product environments, meaning their software is proprietary, they make you use only their parts on the printer, they make you use only their plastic filament on the printer. Think more like Apple on these 3d printers. Others utilize open software, open parts, open to any plastic filament usage. Think more like Android on these.