Shopping for a new printer

[hunterjwizard]

Hi folks,

Long story short, I've decided to ditch my Da Vinci 2.0 Duo because it breaks down constantly and the cartridges are defective more than half the time.

I am looking to spend about $500-$750, but am willing to go as high as $1,000 if it has a good feature set. Reliability is my primary concern at this point, I need something that just works. Obviously it needs to be compatible with simplify3d - and I mean out-of-the-box compatible, no entering settings, so I am starting with the list https://www.simplify3d.com/software/supported-printers/ Also pre-assembled, sorry no kits for me.

I am also looking for at least 5.9" x 7.8" x 7.8" build area, and it needs to print ABS. After that, reliability is the biggest thing I am looking for. I just desperately need it to work. I've been stuck on a project for 8 months that should have taken at most 2 because the damn thing won't run for more than a few days at a time.

So, what is recommended?

[Snerkles]

http://store.robo3d.com/collections/rob ... 6393319491

I love my Robo1 and the support is wonderful. I would not bother with the Matter Control, though. I have not had luck with it.

[danielhenley]

Flashforge Creator Pro is an excellent choice. Huge community and great performance and reliability.

[magicwiser]

Flashforge Creator Pro is an excellent choice. Huge community and great performance and reliability.

I second this, I just bought a second one because I am so pleased with the first one. It is a bit above your price point though ($1199) but it is worth it. The Creator X has the exact same specs but is a wooden frame instead of metal so it is cheaper ($980). I have both and they are both great but the pro is more aesthetically pleasing.

[printhatter]

Do you live anywhere near a Microcenter store? The Powerspec 3d pro is a Flashforge creator OEM/clone (e.g. the controller board is a Flashforge board) and around here is it retailing in-store only for $699 .

HTH

[KDan]

Do you live anywhere near a Microcenter store? The Powerspec 3d pro is a Flashforge creator OEM/clone (e.g. the controller board is a Flashforge board) and around here is it retailing in-store only for $699 .

HTH

I would second the recommendation for the PowerSpec 3D Pro. It's $500 cheaper than the FlashForge Creator Pro and is basically the exact same machine. I have a FlashForge Creator Pro at work which we paid $1200 for from Amazon. A friend recently bought the PowerSpec for $700 and aside from a slightly different filament spool spindles in the back, they appear identical in workmanship, print quality, and operation.
These are dual extruder machines, which can print two colors or two filaments types (opening the door for dissolvable support structures).
Quite honestly, the second extruder is very rarely ever used - but It's a nice to have nevertheless.

I also have a DaVinci 1.0 which I reflashed with Repetier the day I got it in order to eliminate all the proprietary lock-down BS. It was a decent intro printer, but was not designed for high accuracy or longevity. The brass bushings and flimsy Z table really limit it. The FlashForge and PowerSpec print quality is enormously better.

I'd look for the nearest MicroCenter Store and see if they have any in stock.

[dsegel]

I'll throw in a recommendation for a Printrbot Simple Metal. I think it's the best under $1K printer you can buy right now.

$600 with plain bed, or $750 with heated bed.

http://printrbot.com/shop/assembled-simple-metal/
http://printrbot.com/shop/assembled-sim ... eated-bed/

It does have a smaller build volume than the others listed, though, although there are upgrades available for that issue. One advantage it has is the mechanical simplicity - easy to debug, easy to fix.

[curious aardvark]

the flashforge creator & po have abuild volume: 224x150x150 basically 9x6x6 inches - so smaler than requested.

Yes very good machines - although definitelly NOT out of the box 100% simplify 3d compatible.
I'm still trying to figure out which part of the gcode won't let me do dual printing.

[danielhenley]

the flashforge creator & po have abuild volume: 224x150x150 basically 9x6x6 inches - so smaler than requested.

Yes very good machines - although definitelly NOT out of the box 100% simplify 3d compatible.
I'm still trying to figure out which part of the gcode won't let me do dual printing.

By that standard no printer with dual exturders is 100% simplify3d compatible.

You need to configure simplify that you're using a single extruder printer if you're going to use sailfish's dual printing option.