Best FFF Under $2500?

[mitchfx]

I'm considering a 2nd printer to use alongside my Dremel Idea Builder. So far the Dremel (rebranded Flashforge Dreamer) has proven to be a great little workhorse, but it would be nice to get two prints going at once to speed things up. Here are other areas where I would like to upgrade...

-Larger Print Volume. The Dremel is 9" x 5.9" x 5.5" but it would be nice to have something closer to 9x9x9" (or bigger).

-Higher resolution. I mainly do very fine art sculpture prints and any decrease in layer lines and increase in details would be welcome. The Dremel is 100micron but I'd like to push closer to 50 on occasion.

-Quiet operation. The Dremel is nice and quiet, especially compared to the Cube 3 I tested. I would like something that isn't any louder if possible.

-Dual Extruders. Not a huge priority but would be nice to have the option

-Heated Bed/ABS support. I'm pretty much a PLA junkie at this point but once again, nice to have the option.

I want to keep the price down around the $2k mark. Here are the ones that seem to be the best fit based on specs and reviews...

-Ultimaker 2

-AW3D HDL

-LulzBot KITTAZ

Ones to AVOID based on my research and personal experience - Anything CUBE/3dSystems or MakerBot.

Another option would be to compromise on all my feature wishes and get a 2nd Dremel, a SolidDoodle4 or a Flashforge Dreamer and save some $$ towards the next gen of printers coming down the pipe. Any advice, opinions or recommendations from the crowd here is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mitch

[mitchfx]

Add to my candidates list the Makergear M2.

[Rebekah_harper]

Maybe the wanhao D5?

[mitchfx]

Maybe the wanhao D5?

Layer Resolution: 20 microns (0.02 mm)

[Rebekah_harper]

You want better than 20micons?

If so then a Robox from cel, other than that I'd say you'd need to go Stratasys but that's over $2500,-

[mitchfx]

Oh snap! I read that as 200 microns. Haha!

Niiiiiiiccccceee...on the list now

[jimc]

in that price range the makergear is hands down the one. i have 2 of them and a 3rd on the way. mine has run 20 hrs a day 7 days a week for almost 2 years now. the quality of components, construction and company/support are totally top notch.

[MFitz73]

in that price range the makergear is hands down the one. i have 2 of them and a 3rd on the way. mine has run 20 hrs a day 7 days a week for almost 2 years now. the quality of components, construction and company/support are totally top notch.

that's great to hear. I am considering the makergear with the upgraded extruder for my next machine.

[mitchfx]

Looks like about 4 weeks and 30 prints in my Dremel Idea Builder has given up the ghost. I might be returning it to Home Depot in the morning so deciding on the next model is more urgent than ever

Unless anyone out there has recommendations to the contrary I might just be ordering the M2 asap!

Thanks,
M

[mitchfx]

Upon further research it looks like the M2 doesn't allow for standalone printing due to lack of a LED control panel? I don't have my print workshop anywhere near my computer, nor will that change. Could be a dealbreaker.