3D printer?
 

These things look so cool! I'm dying to buy one!!

MP Select Mini 3D Printer - Monoprice.com

http://images.monoprice.com/productl...ges/153651.jpg
But, what the heck would I want to make with it??
Does it have any application in our Eco area of interest? :confused:

A friend, who is an architect, uses them to quickly mock up house designs for clients. He uses a low resolution setting and can "build" a house, complete with windows, doors, roof, chimney - all exterior features in about < 6 hours.

Clients love it as they can pick the model up, turn it around and look at lots of perspectives. He feels that it gives them FAR more knowledge about the final look than the 3-D computer programs that show a house on the screen.

Saves him a LOT of time as he doesn't have to move windows when house is 2/3rds built. He can tweak it easily and just have the 3-D printer do another version.

Once approved, he does a high resolution model, which is more than a foot long and will even show the outlines of chimney bricks and such. That one takes over 24 hours.

He keeps a copy of the final model in his office and he must have 50-60 of them on a platform around his ceiling.

But we are not architects . . . .


Steve

I was thinking about making hose adapters. Making a piece of plastic tube to connect two different sizes of drain hoses together. Or a center ring for a glass patio table, for the umbrella hole. Or, just making a one-of plastic door hanger-hook or cabinet handle..

All the stuff you end up making by hand with PVC and duct tape.. ;)

I have not looked into a 3D printer in a few years , at the time the cheap ones were $350 and were basic compared to that MP select version.

I use the traditional Staunton chess pieces with the castle , king & queen etc. which are plain outdated if not uninspiring.

I don't know how many people play chess today but the populous could use a updated set of modern chess pieces made of today's warfare , tanks , planes and Humvee's , generals etc etc.
And a set of football and soccer team chess pieces.

```````````````
Also it might be time to start coping Chinese parts and selling them for half the price...

That's a steal at $200. Other comparable units come as a kit you have to assemble and/or print out some of its own parts. Then it must be calibrated.

Its big brother is on back order at $350.

I would love to get one, but I've just blown a bundle on a 2014 RAV4 AWD,
and I want to replace two Mini-splits with some -20degF systems..
Maybe if I can sell my telescope equipment..?.:p

A buddy sent me this link about 3D printers..
3ders.org - Go on a tour of secretive 3D printing labs at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory | 3D Printer News & 3D Printing News

I have not looked in any depth yet, but it looks very interesting...

I have a cheap printer.. I will be honest with you they are a lot of fun but they also take a lot of tinkering.. If you don't have the patients to research any problem you might have and then spend the time fixing and tuning the printer don't buy one.. Also you get what you oh for as far as filament goes..

Here I go again reading old threads. I've thought about them for a few years and always thought what xringer said but it was our 60th anniversary last February and my wife said "get one it doesn't matter if you only play with it we can afford it.|" As I recall it was around GBP400 - an Ender 3 S1 plus. Prints up to a 12" cube area. It's true you do need to spend some some setting it up and learning how to adjust things when something doesn't print right. Also if you haven't used 3d Cad software you will need to learn about that too. But I would never have imagined the number of times I have made things. All sorts of items. One of the plastic brackets for some window blinds broke so I measured it up and put the new one I made in it's place. That's one of the things about it to me. Where I would otherwise have little option but to buy new blinds now I don't. A mate wanted some gears to replace broken ones on a bin so I made some. Although I have printed stuff for our grandchildren as well mostly it's been make things and saving money on having to buy a whole device.

3D for Thee, but not for me..
 

I'm still looking. This one is on sale, just up the road in Cambridge. https://www.microcenter.com/product/...-se-3d-printer
I have no space left in my basement shop area..
Plus, I don't have a modern PC that I could use with a 3d printer.
I've still got a wire-welder that I have to learn how to use!
And, when the Radon is low, I like to get downstairs to use the Ham Radio gear, or re-load some ammo for target shooting.
Which reminds me that some states (maybe Massachusetts) are trying to make 3D printers illegal, because they can be used to make firearm parts. (for gatling-guns I think).
One thing I do not want is the feds rolling up to my house in a tank. My wife and I have bad hearts.
Buying a 3D printer might get me on the no-fly list, and I won't be able to visit relatives in Calgary Canada. Too far to drive, too old.. :)