Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => General Wargames and Hobby Discussion => Topic started by: tomrommel1 on July 11, 2019, 09:11:26 AM
-
I am looking into 3d printing some models and I am a complete beginner. As the last thread on 3D printing is 2 years old I just wanted to start this new one. So which printer would be the best/ cheapest to use for miniatures etc.
What do I have to think about when starting. Oh by the way I have only a MacBook at home which software do I need?
Thanks
-
I hear the anycubic photon is a great resin printer and fairly cheap as far as printers go
Resin is better for minis than fdm plastic machines.
-
Resin/SLA is best for miniatures – hands down, but as always there are pros and cons when compared to FDM machines
I’ve for an ANet A8 FDM and an Anycubic Photon SLA so comparing SLA to FDM:
Pro SLA
Out of the box (Almost) capability – plug in and start printing.
Comes with tools/spares/gloves/resin/etc to get you going.
High resolution in all 3 axis
Almost invisible print lines – undercoat and go in most cases.
Time efficiency (Filling the bed takes no longer to print)
Good customer support and good community support
Con SLA:
Expensive resins - £30+ per litre but it does go a long way
Stink -Not all resins but some absolutely stink
Clean up - You need to wash the resin in IPA/Solvent to remove the uncured resin
Post print cure - prints need time to fully cure in UV/Sunlight
Mess - It’s a liquid based system and you will be handling fairly dubious chemicals that will inevitably get everywhere
Failed prints - 8 hours printing and £5 of resin fails at the last minute.
No quick prints - A 28mm mini will take in the order of 3-4 hours
Small build area
Pro FDM
Cheaper starting cost
Printing less stuff is faster
Huge (relatively) build volume
Cheaper materials
More variety in materials (ABS/PLA/Flex/Wood/etc)
Good community support
Con
Very much a hobby – the machines need love and attention.
Very few cheap machines that don’t need work or upgrades (Heated bed/self-level/etc)
Lower resolutions (almost certainly print lines) needing post print processing to get acceptable results.
Printing more stuff take longer (Seems daft but not an issue on SLA)
Both can be frustrating and there is a steep learning curve initially but after that it’s a matter of adjusting your techniques to get the best out of them.
Soem of my stuff here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=116854.msg1477824#msg1477824
An FDM would not be able to do this:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=116854.0;attach=98643;image)
-
That helps a lot!! So now another question . Is there a possibility to "scan" scratch build models into STL files?
-
In theory yes... in practice... it depends.
DIY scanner tech exists but it struggles with miniatures in any detail.
It can be done with photogrammatry (loads of normal photos) but its not easy.
Even then using either method you get a 'point cloud' which needs fixing to make a 3d model.
Probably easier to draw the thing in CAD fresh.
-
ok thanks
-
Rich H pretty much hit the nail on the head.
-
Another note on resin printers, as far as I'm aware of the resin has a tendency to make the whole house smell if the print area isn't well isolated from the rest of the house.
Or at least that's what I've heard from the internet from a couple of sources.
-
The smell levels rather depend on the brand of resin, but many do yes.
-
Yes, some absolutely reek and make my eyes sting after a while. Some at totally without smell
-
SLA form2 for us lets you do big and small stuff, but relatively expensive.
(https://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/malazans-2.jpg)
-
Any close ups? They look interesting!
-
OOOOH that is a nice print of so small figures!
-
I recently (and finally ::) ) received my Sparkmaker FHD resin printer, after waiting since November last year for it to be delivered (it was an Indiegogo campaign). It was very cheap at that point, so spur of the moment, I decided to jump onboard, now that the 3D train is still slowly picking up speed along the platform. It won't be long before it will be out of the station, going hundreds of kilometers per hour after all...
The thing that drew me in basically was the Youtube review by Tested (Adam Savage's, yes), in which it was highlighted that the resolution is perfect for printing miniatures, and several different types of resin can be used. There is the standard 'hard' variety, but amongst others, there's also transparent or heat resistant (so much so that a print could withstand vulcanizing rubber or direct pouring of pewter, so ideal for masters or even entire moulds!)
The smaller print bed is less of an issue when printing miniatures or terrain (elements) for 28mm or smaller, so I don't foresee any issues there.
It can be controlled by an Android app (iOS version still in development), and basically has only one button for operation on the machine itself. A sliced 3D design will have to be saved on an SD card, which is then inserted into the printer.
Now; as I'll be off on vacation in mere days now, I've yet to actually try the printer; that will have to wait till I get back, but I have good hopes that after the initial learning curve, I will be able to get some nice results out of it.
In about a month's time, I will be able to report whether or not it's nice to work with, how steep the learning curve is, and how pungent the resin (I got a bottle of the standard (hard) variety)... :)
And @ Antenociti: that's both excellent and re-assuring :D Are those 6mm miniatures?
-
Any possible advice on some types/brands that are in your experiences less smelly?
Considering a large/small (depending on my point of view at any given time..) hobby investment in a Anycubic Photon in the near future..
-
My experience it's pot luck
Currently I'm liking Anycubic Black and it's relatively smell free over 3 bottles.
Batches of anycubic trasnparent one of them made my eyes sting after a very short time the next didn't smell at all.
Elegoo trasnparent smelt unpleasant too but not as bad as the anycubic.
-
Thanks,
So basically much like many chemical things, depends on the day the batch and the mix/er?
Thats fair, I mainly have to ensure about placement, ventilation etc, when in use then.
Its headed for me shed when active if I take the leap next month.
-
Mine is in the attached garage and is OK
-
So thinking about a resin printer for x man then!
-
well, I did get a cheapy Chinese CTC thing several years ago to mess with (really cheap), as a xmas gift to me.. but although modified to a semi-reliable producer of stuff - It aint' brilliant
Seeing your thread made me think, resurrection time, and rather than throw more money at that, was thinking to go the whole hog, wish meself a happy birthday, and get something better.
and my better half is happy as I that's what she is getting me.
So this coming month my overtime mostly goes to..
That.
hopefully it will work ;D
-
Tactalvanic let us take part in your journey to a new 3d printer!
-
Yeah was doing the sums and the numbers and. well.
tracking parcels, will let you know. Hopefully all will go well with it actually all arriving at least
Went with the simple option. Do it.
was thinking prusa, but then resin which is not a prusa MK3 of course and pricey and, but then lots of videos and reading during nightshift....
and
went with the Anycubic Photon. ::)
and
went with the Anycubic Chiron. :o
Not purrfect from my research but certainly good enough, and the Chiron is modifiable as main issues are resolvable over time etc, but not stopping it working, so. yeah.
its for me bloody birthday. I don't ask for much. and what I do is usually in a very small scale.. So i will have a bit of both.
and as mentioned Wife is buying it for my birthday with my money so she does not really mind. :D
um.. yeah. going to be interesting explaining that. but its still cheaper than the prusa and in the shed nobody can hear me scream, from the house. Normally, at least.
Will open a separate post later once something starts happening