3D Printer Chat

[Viral_Jim]

That time lapse is a very cool, if rather pointless feature - the best kind of feature!

Where do you keep your printer(s)? I understand maintaining temp/humidity is pretty important, which rules put most of my available hiding places.

[TheBoy]

They all sit in my office spare box room at home.

If not using for a few days, remove filament and put in a sealed bag with dessi packs.  House temps/humidity are perfect. Try to stop drafts when printing, especially harder stuff like ABS - a home made big box could be your friend, but I've never needed one.

Sheds, garages and outbuildings probably aren't ideal

[TheBoy]

Bought a new one, stuck with another Creality this time around, the K2 Plus.

[Viral_Jim]

I probably should have updated this thread, being as I've had an ender3 v2 neo since Feb 2024 

Given it a fair thrashing, replaced a couple of nozzles, bowden tube and very recently an extruder gear. Considering the ender 3 gets a little of stick for its reliability I don't think it's been at all bad. Id estimate I've gone through well over 20kg of pla.

Is the K2 one of those multi filament jobs? What you got planned for it?

[TheBoy]

I probably should have updated this thread, being as I've had an ender3 v2 neo since Feb 2024 

Given it a fair thrashing, replaced a couple of nozzles, bowden tube and very recently an extruder gear. Considering the ender 3 gets a little of stick for its reliability I don't think it's been at all bad. Id estimate I've gone through well over 20kg of pla.

Is the K2 one of those multi filament jobs? What you got planned for it?

All 3D Printers aren't quite consumer ready, set and forget.  I don't think the Ender 3 is that bad - it's built to a budget, so you'll find that you upgrade parts anyway to improve it, right up until the point you get a CoreXY type printer, and start all over again

I think Creality offer the multi colour options on most of their current printers now, and yes, I do have the CFS unit for mine .  I don't really intend on doing multicolour prints, for me it's just a convenient way to have 4 spools in and ready, saving messing around, with the added bonus if one reel looks a little low before you start, you can shove in another of the same colour, and it will switch over when it does run out.

I got the K2 plus mostly due to the bigger printer area and quieter operation* over the K1 Max its replacing.  The K1 Max has been a brilliant machine after some initial teething issues.

*Not sure if it's massively quieter, but certainly less intrusive on fan noise.

[TheBoy]

Although I have obviously tested multicolour, with a 4 colour Benchy

https://theboy.omegaowners.com/oofpics/oof_odds_and_sods/k2-benchy.mp4

[Jimbob]

Cool looking bit of kit, and not cheap!

What do you find yourself making?   I can think of a few things I'd make and then not sure on inspiration after that

[ronnyd]

Although I have obviously tested multicolour, with a 4 colour Benchy

https://theboy.omegaowners.com/oofpics/oof_odds_and_sods/k2-benchy.mp4

Where's Captain Pugwash?  Joking aside, that is very impressive. 

[TheBoy]

Cool looking bit of kit, and not cheap!

What do you find yourself making?   I can think of a few things I'd make and then not sure on inspiration after that

My printer always seems to be non-stop, to the point I'm considering keeping the old M1 Max rather than selling it.

Pegboard bits and drawers here in my room...

[TheBoy]

Should point out, the board itself is a Lidl/Aldi, but the attachments are from a printer

[Viral_Jim]

What do you find yourself making?   I can think of a few things I'd make and then not sure on inspiration after that

The main reason I got one was so I could make custom trays and inserts for my tool boxes. I'm getting through them and by the time I'm done I'm sure the printer will have paid for itself. Beyond that I print quite a few bits of our aquariums. I also make up custom brackets or attachments for things, particularly if they break and would be difficult to glue back together. Plus daft stuff like little toys for the kids. Similar to TB, I always seem to have a backlog of stuff that needs printing.

[TheBoy]

I'm considering keeping the old M1 Max rather than selling it.

And as I speak, both are on the go, flat out

One is printing a drawer insert, other some small boxes for soldering trinkets.

[STEMO]

One of the kids, 8 years old, made the wife a fidget spinner with her initials on. Apparently designed it on the .......tinker CAD? 
I'm very old 

[Viral_Jim]

I use tinkerCAD. One of the more basic programs (aimed at educational settings I think) but it definitely does the job of me. 

[Jimbob]

All looks cool, guess once you have it and learn its capabilities you find uses very easily.