New 3d Printer

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This page is here only for historical purposes. We successfully funded and obtained this machine in 2016 - and sold it off in 2024. The design had a lot of problems and it needed more TLC than Bloominglabs could provide, it spent most of its life non-functional sadly.


Project page to raise money for a new 3d printer. If you would like to discuss the exact model to purchase please see the email thread in the member's list. The point of contact for this project is Joseph Cieslik.

The new printer was received on Thursday, 20 October 2016. Further information is on the page about the Makerfarm 12-Inch Pegasus 3D Printer.

Summary

After conferring with several members familiar with 3d printers and checking this year's Make Magazine 3d Printer Shootout I have come up with 3 options.

  • Lulzbot Taz 5(2200usd.)
    • favored and backed by several member's testimony
    • fast and high quality prints
    • largest print area
    • lowest maintenance and setup
  • Ultimaker 2+ ($2499.00 -$$2999.00 for the extended version)
    • Precision
    • Ease of use
    • Speed
    • Software
    • Community
  • Makerfarm Pegasus 12" (~847.50-1127.50USD)
    • + Resolution
    • + Large build area (11.5in x 12in x 13.5in)
    • + Cheap
    • - Kit
    • - No reviews
  • DIY delta printer (~600USD)
    • Heath is interested in pursuing
    • parts cannibalized from the copier bring this price down to ~400
    • Delta printers are faster than traditional FDM printers and provide comparable detail with the most vertical print area at the cost of horizontal print area
    • I worry that another DIY printer would require more time spent on the printer not on the prints
    • (Apple) I'm interested in building a Tantillus that is an offspring of the Ultimaker design
    • Do a google image search on Tantillus for many examples built all plastic, acrylic, plywood and, t-slot.
  • Form2 resin printer(3500usd.)
    • resin printer
    • provides the highest quality
    • small prints
    • expensive to maintain

I believe that the Lulzbot Taz 5 is the best option but I leave this open to the list to make a final decision. I will also make a wiki page for planning and will place links and further information there.After conferring with several members familiar with 3d printers and checking this year's Make Magazine 3d Printer Shootout I have come up with 3 options. The first option favored and backed by several member's testimony is the Lulzbot Taz 5(2200usd.) This would provide fast and high quality prints combined with the largest print area and lowest maintenance and setup. The next option is a DIY delta printer that Heath is interested in pursuing for ~600 although parts cannibalized from the copier bring this price down to ~400. Delta printers are faster than traditional FDM printers and provide comparable detail with the most vertical print area at the cost of horizontal print area. Additionally I worry that another DIY printer would require more time spent on the printer not on the prints. A third option is a Form2 resin printer(3500usd.) The resin printer would provide the highest quality but small prints and would be expensive to maintain. I believe that the Lulzbot Taz 5 is the best option but I leave this open to the list to make a final decision.

Models to be Considered

Form2

Lulzbot Taz 5

Ultimaker 2 +

Makerfarm 12" Pegasus ( post about the Pegasus 8" which is recommended post about the Pegasus 8")

DIY Delta Printer

Tantillus DYI XY Printer

Additional Resources

3d Printer Guide

Reddit 3dprinting chart

Monetary Contributors

Michael Fisher

Will Byrd

David Smith

Daniel Halsey

Nathan Heald

Kyle Dirrim

Heath Roush

Steve Charlesworth

Teweatherall

Murat

Joseph Cieslik

Final Decision

We have decided to purchase a 12" Makerfarm Pegasus, 12v 30amp power supply, some acrylic to make side panels, and an improved hot end for ~795USD. All the money has been pledged now it will need to be collected and then all items purchased, shipped, and assembled.