3D30: Paul's 30 3d printer tips. Part 1 - things to consider before buying a 3d printer

Having been using a resin 3d printer for a year, I've compiled a list of 30 tips.

 

The first 5 are presented below and might be a help for anyone considering whether to buy a printer - especially as there are lots of good deals out there at the moment during Black Friday.

1. Research:
1. Look for stl files before you buy - download a selection of free models to try out (thingiverse, cults3d - some companies have free samples from larger sets).  Decide whether the stuff is out there that you want to print.  If not, do you have the time/skill to learn to 3d sculpt models yourself, or the money to pay someone to do so?
2. Consider ongoing costs: how pricey is resin, isopropanol etc in your country?
3. Are you doing it because it's just the current fad or are you constantly thinking of things you want that you can 3d print?  Is there something you really need that just isn't produced by anyone else?
4. If producing jewellery or mechanical components, do current resins provide the strength/resilience/hardness/flexibility that your projects will require?
5. How will you clean/cure prints – can you afford a wash & cure station too?
   
2. Think about what you're going to print:
1. Do you really need a large print volume or fast printing time?
2. Or will smaller size and longer print times be adequate?
3. When will you print? I often prepare files in the evening, set the printer running next morning, then clean the prints after work.
3. Look for deals:
1. Do you need one NOW or can you wait 3 or 4 weeks for a special offer?
2. Beware of combined deals on printer & wash/cure station, resin.  They are often cheaper individually (or the combined deal is just normal prices added together) or include a resin that you don't want (wrong colour/type).
4. Beware of import duties for your country - direct from China price may be great but in the UK you could be hit with 20% VAT plus £8 handling charge! £100 printer + £20 VAT plus £8 = £128.  Possibly customs duty too on more expensive items (over £135). There can also be delays & inconvenience, possible problems with returns or replacements.
5. Location - do you have somewhere suitable for it to go:
1. Think about temperature - will a cold garage mean you can't print for part of the year or have problems with the resin? Cold temperatures cause the resin to thicken so it doesn’t flow as well, sometimes causing prints to fail.
   
2. Smell and fumes - if using normal (i.e. not eco) resin, chemical smell may be unpleasant
3. Ventilation - esp for b) above, do you need to install an extractor fan/vent?
4. Can you keep small children / pets away from the printer & resin?
5. Make sure washing & curing on same desk/table if possible - avoid risk of drips/splashes/spillages/dropping of prints when moving between locations (don't want spills on nice furniture/carpet etc.)
6. Can you protect your flooring?  Resin spills on carpet will be all but impossible to clean up.
   
7. Is there space?  Unless you have 3 or 4 hands (or an assistant), there are a lot of things you need to pick up/put down/open.  You need space to:
   

• put down lids (i.e footprint of the machine x 2)
• put down isopropanol container
• put down wash & cure bits
• put down print head

I'll cover some more of my tips another day, hopefully a few might find them of use.