So I have been thinking about investing in 3d printer filament. I would like to know your thoughts on this. Do any of you use one? I am looking at many different applications. I found out you can even build your own CNC machine with a printer. But I was thinking of all the woodworking possibilities that one could bring besides just the obvious hobby for stuff for D and D type board game miniatures etc. I often do projects for a service dogs agency as well and was thinking of application it could bring to that as well. I will admit I have some trepidation on getting one. The main reason is I am not the best computer person but I am strong in the basics and things like making pictures to create for wood and such and resizing them. I am thinking that a 3d printer could open many possibilities to wood working such as appliques,  things for plaques and trophies etc. I know not specifically woodworking but would like to know your thoughts to something like this to add to a woodworking arsenal and if any of you have done this. DO you love it... hate it... which one did you get.... etc etc for a beginner. That is if moderators accept this post. thank you for responding.  I am not looking to turn this forum into 3d printing forum would just like to know your thoughts from woodworking perspective. 

 

P.s once again so sorry for absence. I got hit hard with illness from 2 week in November and just started feeling better last week.  i slept a lot!!! but i did look at things people were making.  Also John Morris that book your are looking for have you tried thiftbooks.com. they have some older books on woodworking there. I didn't look for yous because forgot the name of it. but check it out.

Glad you are feeling better!

 

First off, I don't have a 3-D printer. But, I substitute at the school where I used to work and several of the shop areas do have the filament type. 

 

Mostly what I have seen are the kids making useless characters from cartoons. Recently, I did see a small VW Microbus that was kind of cool.

 

The items don't seem to have a lot of strength but that could be in the way the things were designed. Many break as they are being removed from the substrate platform. 

 

From what I understand, from the kids explanations, there is software that is included with the printer. The kids say there is other software available that can be used to design items. I use Sketchup a lot and Sketchup can be used to create 3-D models for a printer-

https://help.sketchup.com/en/sketchup/3d-printing-model

 

That's about all I know, sorry 

Thanks for your input Lew!

First I have no experience with 3D printing. If this is actually an investment (where it is imperative it makes you money) do they have makers clubs where you live? I’m probably using the wrong term, but they are clubs that have equipment that you can reserve and use. Usually they even have people that will give lessons. Some have woodworking equipment, some have automotive equipment. You pay the fee, join the club, use the assets. Now if you have the funds, and think it might be a neat addition to your shop, and if it doesn’t you can still pay the mortgage, I say go for it. I have no idea what price range we are talking about. I would love to add a CNC to the shop, but there’s gotta be a good dozen more items I need to get first, as finds allow. Please keep us posted on this journey.

@Lissa Hall, good to see you and, glad you beat the bug.

I moved your topic to the tools, research and review forum. Hope you don't mind.

6 hours ago, Artie said:

First I have no experience with 3D printing. If this is actually an investment (where it is imperative it makes you money) do they have makers clubs where you live? I’m probably using the wrong term, but they are clubs that have equipment that you can reserve and use. Usually they even have people that will give lessons. Some have woodworking equipment, some have automotive equipment. You pay the fee, join the club, use the assets. Now if you have the funds, and think it might be a neat addition to your shop, and if it doesn’t you can still pay the mortgage, I say go for it. I have no idea what price range we are talking about. I would love to add a CNC to the shop, but there’s gotta be a good dozen more items I need to get first, as finds allow. Please keep us posted on this journey.

Lissa and Artie, The term to search for is makerspace, Looks like University of North Carolina is the closest to Lissa.

Hello Lissa, very glad to see you back up and posting again.  I have been interested in the 3D printers also.  Seen a few go on the auction websites, but never put in a bid.  About a month ago I learned of a makerspace type of outfit close by that offers a 3D printer.  This local outfit goes by "Firestarter".   I hope to get over there soon and find out the cost as such.  Please keep us posted on your progress.  If you have a tech college nearby you might contact them about classes or a makerspace closer to you.

Thx guys!  I did reach out to few forums and others who use them. I was curious to t0 my favorite wood working group hehe. You all are  my most trusted advisors. I have not been cleared yet to get back in work shop  by doc but  my hands are itching. 

I've dabbled with the idea on and off, but still don't own one.

From what I can tell, the ideal is to find one that can reuse the extruded filaments if possible. Also, depending on what you want to make, potentially one that will use more than 1 colour at once is helpful too.

There are definitely more software choices around than what comes form the manufacturer. As long as it can produce .stl files (if memory serves correctly) you should be able to pass it to most printers.

Some of the printers have issues with what they print depending on the thickness of the object and how well it can be supported during printing. But these are all things you can find (like I did) by googling reviews/comparisons and suchlike

Member @Jari just purchased one for his son and is making some neat things. Jari lives "Down Under" so the one he purchased may not be available here, but you might contact him to see what he thinks.

I was at the nearest Micro Center to pick up a new computer (old one is from 2007 and didn't like WinX).   I was rather surprised to see the selection of "thread" printers they had there (as well as a large selection of different colors, etc.).

 

Don't know if you have one near you or not, but it might be worth a road trip.

On 1/20/2020 at 7:15 AM, lew said:

Member @Jari just purchased one for his son and is making some neat things. Jari lives "Down Under" so the one he purchased may not be available here, but you might contact him to see what he thinks.

Greetings All

 

I bought this machine for myself but my son, 15 years old, has taken over it, he prints some "junk", practise items but he has done some useful items too, like brackets to hold window curtains which I broke a while ago, couldn't find similar ones from local Hardware shop. He figured it out what kind it should be, printed out 1, bit too small, added few millimeters to the size and top job, curtain is up again, wife is happy again. 

I paid $383 aus dollars to my unit, great way to start 3d printing.  His latest prints are copying photos, printing them out and 1st they look like just white plastic but when you put light behind it, it shows the photo. 

 

That is neat!

Just like lithophane.   Very cool.