Hello, looooong time lurker looking for some assistance about 3D printing here in Aotaeroa.
I am about to take the plunge and get a 3D printer - My intent is to print architectural bits and details for foamcore buildings, windows, doors etc... and also miniatures. Vehicles probably won't be on the printing list, wagons & artillery are probably the biggest things I will print.
I have briefed myself on the jargon, nomenclature etc... so feel properly prepared to listen to the experts on LAF (and understand what they are saying
).
So I would like some advice from fellow Kiwis or anyone else about the following:
I think I want a Creality machine - the Halot One or the LD002H are in my price range and available onshore. Which would be a better choice for a newby?
Is there a particular retailer that people would recommend? Especially in terms of after sales support - I have heard that sometimes the Creality machines arrive missing a bit or two so I want someone who would be responsive to any issues like that.
Consumables - Is there a recommended retailer for the resins, PEI, FEP films and so on?
Does anyone have a preferred resin type / manufacturer? Odor won't be a problem - the machine will be venting out the window of my spare room.
UV curing - I don't intend to buy a washing & curing station due to the size & cost. Does anyone recommend a UV lamp / bulb that could be used for this purpose
Are there any New Zealand specific factors I should be considering? The environmental impact of these machines is obvious, but as I don't drive I consider that the impact of me owning a single machine would be substantially less than that of a single petrol head.
I know I could probably google all of this, but there are only so many hours in the day and I know Beefcake and others here have probably traversed this ground already.
Looking forward to hearing anyones two cents / tuppence worth.
Ngā mihi