this post was submitted on 02 Mar 2025
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[–] insomniac_lemon@lemmy.cafe 21 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (3 children)

3D printer (FFF).

Didn't start out too bad. I knew I was having issues but tried an upgrade I shouldn't have done (because complexity). Upgrade was mostly done too, issue was fan wiring/firmware. I stopped with it there many years ago, so now it's all dusty.

On top of all the variables/tuning/test prints, equipment/material cost etc. I also just don't want to sell anything like I once thought I might.

[–] kitnaht@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago (1 children)

It's gotten a lot better in the last year or so. There's a whole new class of machines that solved those issues and aren't nearly as difficult to operate.

Prior to a year ago, I'd say 3D printing was a hobby meant for someone who was into robotics, and programming, etc.

I run a repair shop, and now I see all sorts of children printing stuff, and it's easier than it ever was.

[–] insomniac_lemon@lemmy.cafe 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Sure, but that doesn't help me now.

It doesn't install a better auto-level sensor or tool-changing on my printer. It doesn't give me a good print bed (one I bought was damaged by prints) or even just a newer control board. I'm not even going to buy a slicer key, I don't want to spend more money on this nor do I want to think about it.

I've already acknowledged that some of this was my hubris and I would likely still be printing had I just stuck with what I had. Maybe someone could even help me get back there in exchange for/using my spare parts, but I live in nowheresville w/no car and don't know anybody so that is not happening.

[–] Dagamant@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago

I feel you, my first printer was garbage, my second one was SLOW, the one I bought last year is fantastic and it was cheap. You still have to go through some of the processes like bed leveling but new ones have some sensors that tell you where it isn’t level and adds a height map to the print to compensate for an uneven surface. It prints in 1 hour what took my old printer 11 hours to print. Most slicers are free and don’t require a key or payment to access advanced features. FDM printing is probably as user friendly as it’s going to get.

On the flip side, FDM printing isn’t super useful. You can make a bunch of random stuff but it’s mostly just nick nacks. Resin printing is way more useful but also way less user friendly. I plan to dive into resin printing this year because I’ve been doing 3D modeling and want to make miniatures and stuff for wargames, dice, and dioramas.

Either way, it’s absolutely useless if you have no use for it.

[–] Bronzie@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 day ago

Yeah I’m glad I waited as long as I did and purchased the best I could out of the box.

The amount of tinkering the old Creality at work has needed over the years…
I wouldn’t have lasted long with that at home.

Super happy with our Bambu. It just prints nicely and just works every time.
Before people get mad at me for having a Bambu: I bought it before the UA changed and it’s in LAN mode with no internet. Hardware is great even though the company is a little shady these days.

[–] Pregnenolone@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I’ve had a 3D printer about a year now. I’d say I’ve gotten my money’s worth: I’ve printed generally useful things that aren’t just gimmicks.

But I also think I’ve been pretty lucky - there are some problems that I just don’t have the patience to deal with right now, for example some materials just don’t adhere to the bed. But I haven’t had anything fundamental that would make me really pissed off.

I could have totally seen myself in the same position as you if I ended up with a dud printer or something. It’s getting a lot better but it’s certainly not an instant plug-and-play device for most people.