Looking For a New Printer

[reddrum]

I am looking to get another 3D printer. I currently have a Flashforge Creator Dual Wooden model. I've added a glass bed, a top and plexiglass sides along with filling all of the holes to give me a semi-sealed print area. I'd like this machine to be a backup machine as well as an experimental machine. Or, make the Flashforge my experimental machine. I am ok with addons and tweaking a machine, but I'd like to get a good core machine to start with.

Here is my wish list:
Quality prints
Print flexible material
Print ABS
Enclosed or be able to enclose (I'm fine with building an enclosure)
Not too expensive
Fine with a kit
Good print quality
Reliable
Ability to work on and get parts for easily
Decent resolution though it looks like .1mm is the max you get with this style of printing
Work with Simplify 3D
I'd like it to work with G Code, but not 100% required.
Glass bed or ability to add one

Is it possible to get one that is quiet? My printer is in the main living room so I can keep an eye on it. I understand there is going to be some noise, but the quieter the better.


In poking around it looks like there are plenty of Prusa kits. Are the Prusas decent printers? If so, which model? There are so many! I looked at this:
http://www.geeetech.com/geeetech-alumin ... p-944.html

Should I get a Flashforge Creator Pro? I love my current Flashforge but it is my first 3d printer and my only experience. So, I do not know if there are better options out there.

Thank you in advance for any input!

[magicwiser]

I was in the same situation as you awhile ago and I ended up buying a FlashForge Pro. It has the same specs as the wooden one (which I also love and still use) but it is enclosed and less-wobbly. After having it for a few months, I am very glad I stuck with FlashForge. The main reason being that I don't have to constantly switch between printer profiles while using S3D. I can also just move a memory card from one printer to the other without having to reslice the object. It just makes having two printers that much simpler.

If you don't plan to use both continuously like I do then it is probably not an issue though.

[saramos]

Not inexpensive, but I love my Lulzbot TAZ. They have the Mini for less coin, but smaller bed. Also, to print flex requires a different extruder, so that adds cost. The TAZ is the 2016 top printer in the Make Magazine reviews.

[reddrum]

I ended up with a FF Pro to go along with my creator and I love it. I moved my printers to another room because with two running even an open windows is not enough fresh air to keep the fumes out. With that I started using SD cards instead of directly connected to a computer. It is a little more of a pain, but it works. Also, like someone said I can move print files from one printer to the other and the parts are usable on either which is nice.

[RomeFallsAgain]

MonoPrice has a FlashForge Creator Pro clone that I bought and it prints very good prints and meets every item on your list....all at an unbeatable price.

It's the exact same. Actually, the FlashForge Creator Pro is a MakerBot clone. So in China, everything is a clone of something.

Both printers come from the same OEM factory, but MonoPrice sells it for $699 instead of $1199

So far, MonoPrice has had very good customer service. I've called them a dozen times a day for the first few days and they always are there to answer and help.

I am an absolute beginner to 3D printing and even so, my 2nd print (first with Simplify3D came out so good it is sell quality. Personally I can't see how a printer with the same resolution could beat it. Did I mention that it's a DUAL extruder btw