jumping in a just got a small 3d printer print bed size 5.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 inch second hand having fun prints ok came with a roll of filament down loaded freecad software so playing with this

Hi Steve,
"A goodwill gesture from the makers ..."
There's no such thing as a 'free lunch' Steve😉
Buyer's maxim! Bane of the sales engineer🤔
😎

He don't Doug, but the teeth marks show where he has been LOL!!!

Just ask the postman LOL!!


Martin555.

Ooh er! 😮 A Pushmepullyou' dog😮
How does he know if he's coming or going? 😁😂
😎

Then it's 'Green Board' and GO GO GO from here on in Steve👍
When you've used up the new filament I guess you're planning to reuse the reel for the loose stuff😉
Bon chance mon ami 😎

Hi Doug
The 'loose' filament came with the printer, as did the dog file.
A goodwill gesture from the makers to get you going and ensure the set up was correct.
I have purchased a a reel of filament now and have found a website to print a filament guide.
Cheers Steve

If it is my dog that Steve printed then he is better off with the s****y end and not the end with the teeth LOL!!!

Unfortunately my dog has teeth at both ends LOL!!

Martin555.

You've got a good point there Peter.
Looks like Steve got 'the s****y end of the stick'! The 'Og' 😮
Puzzles me how though.
I've never seen loose filament before, always on reels, and a filament guide to assist in drawing it evenly off the reel. Suggest looking for, or printing?, a suitable reel to wind the filament onto.
Cheers, Doug 😎

No panic Cap'n Marky - just pulling your anchor chain😁
Fleet Admiral's 'privilege of rank'😉
Main thing is that you stay safe and don't overdo anything👍
😎

Depends which half Doug. The eating end or the other end.😃

Doug ,Once I'm out and about I will see Ricky (honest)😉
Cheers Marky👍

"Where I used to work before retiring (University workshops)we had lots of 3D printers in a lab that students could just put in their files and print "
Like the seagull file Marky😁
Again, many thanks for the ship's lifeboats 👍
😎

Way to go Steve!👍
You are inspiring me to dig my printer out, dust it down, and get it calibrated.
Don't have a real task for it yet though🙄
Cheers, Doug 😎
BTW: Half a dog is better then no dog! 😂🤣
Ok OK I was just leaving anyway😔
G'night all😎😴💤💤💤

Sorry previous post went before I finished the story ,The main printer which cost in the region of £60,000 was multi headed and could print multiple colours at one time and also different hardnesses so you could print a wheel with rubber tyres in one print, when they return to work I'll go in and see Ricky the printing guru and photograph some examples of the stuff he prints for surgeons to practice procedures on .
Try and get a video of the printer working.
Cheers Marky👍

Ed, you'll need to get the wood effect PLA to save on the painting😂.
Where I used to work before retiring (University workshops)we had lots of 3D printers in a lab that students could just put in their files and print

Hi Ed
Got the printer on Saturday and set it up with the video you sent me. I'm impressed with the quality and the way it went together.
Like you, I find there is a lot to learn.
Here is a link for the 'cowl vent' https://www.thingiverse.com/search?q=cowl+vent&type=things&sort=relevant

Cheers
Steve

Success!
Downloaded stl file from Thingyverse, re-sized it with Cura, sliced it and loaded it into the printer. Pressed a couple of buttons and 15 minutes later a cowl vent was born!
Still a lot to learn Ed, but all good so far.

Steve

Hi Rick,

Thanks!

This 3D stuff is fascinating!

If only I knew what I was doing! LOL! Or do I!

Ed-

Wow that looks great.
Rick

A 3D printed ships wheel!
it's about 43 mm!
It's spot on!
I told Cura 43 mm!
And it came out to be 43mm!

Steve,

Can you email me the file?

Ed-

Hi Steve,

That's Brilliant!

I'm currently printing out a ships wheel!

I'm learning so much!

I've got to get the hang of it!

Did you get your printer setup!
When did you get it!
Did you follow the setup video I recommended!

Chees, Ed

Success!
Downloaded stl file from Thingyverse, re-sized it with Cura, sliced it and loaded it into the printer. Pressed a couple of buttons and 15 minutes later a cowl vent was born!
Still a lot to learn Ed, but all good so far.

Steve

Those of you who are venturing into the path of 3D Printing!

Prepare for a ruff ride!
There's a lot to learn!

But, It can be fun!
And very frustrating at times!
But, Don't give up!

Take your time with it!

I recommend a lot of YouTube video's

And as I say "If I can do it, You can Too"!

Cheers, Ed

Hi Steve,

No, what you need to do!
Is use a program called "CURA".

You would download the file.
Which is a zipped file.
You would then need to unzip the file!
I believe windows 10 will unzip the file!
If not purchase "winzip" to unzip the files!

After you have unzipped the files!
Look for them look in the "Files Directory".
You just unzipped!
Here's where you'll find your files!

Now use "CURA" to open the files.
Only open 1 file at a time!

You can then "SLICE" the object in the file.
You just opened!

You will then have the option.
To save the "SLICED" file to you SD chip!

Or if you have the cable attached to the printer.
You can then print to the printer!

Steve,

At the moment I still learning "CURA"!
So, have just learned a few things!

I haven't learned yet how to scale!

But, I'm learning every day!

Cheers, Ed

Hi Ed
The files on Thingyverse, can you download them and put them straight into your printer? If so, I assume there is a way of changing the size of the item you want to print?
Steve

In this case I'll look on the bright side and say half full!

Nice do Steve.😃

Only half a dog is that like a cup half full or a cup half empty.
Rick

And it was all going so well!
The PLA supplied is rolled up and not on a reel. It got tangled and jammed around the frame. The printer carried on, but with no PLA, so poor old Deefer has only got half a head.
I paused the print and got the PLA going through again but of course the printer started where it left off, so it all went to raspberry juice.
On the plus side, I am very pleased with the finish.
I was going to print it again but now I know I have everything set up correctly, I am going to download a simple file (I have in mind a cowl vent).
Overall I am very pleased.

Well done Steve. That was quick.
Better get a dog licence quickly.😃

I settled for the Ender 3 Pro in the end. Although it comes as a flat pack, the video link sent by Ed is most helpful. It took me yesterday afternoon to build, but there is nothing too complicated or technical.
I'm impressed with the quality of the parts and and the tool kit - even cable ties and a side cutter - and they supply a quantity of PLA and a test programme - the 'dog'.
It's currently merrily printing away and is really quiet.
So far. so good!

Hi Rick,

Glad, I could help!

Cheers, Ed

Thanks Ed this helps me look at whether a 3D printer is what I'm looking for or if going on line to find what I need is still my best way.
Rick

Hi Rick,

I'm glad you found the video enjoyable!
I followed it to the letter!

And was able to assemble my printer with no problems!

At the present time I'm learning.
How to use and calibrate the printer!

There are two programs that are used!
1. Cura which is a slicing program!
2. Autodesk Fusion 360! for designing things!

But, there's a website called "thingyverse"!
Here is where you can find already made files!

You download a file you like.
For example your ships wheel!
I haven't found that one yet!

But, you could use Autodesk Fusion 360.
To design your ships wheel!

I'm not up to that yet!

But. I'm learning as I go forward!

Cheers, Ed

PS. You can google both programs.
And you should be able to download them!

I watched the video and found it very enjoyable.Makes me want to get one but I wonder if I would use it if purchased.That's for me to think about.
My question is if I wanted to make a ships wheel where would I look and what do you look for.
How easy is it to program the pieces you want.
Rick

Both you and Ed will be way ahead of me. I will not be home until 23rd August so I have to wait until then to have a go. I think you have made a good choice Steve. According to a mutual friend of Ed’s and mine, once we get the hang of printing, a print nozzleupgrade will be essential. Until then though,let the play commence.🤪

Thanks Ed. Much appreciated!
Steve

Hi Steve,

Here is a link to assemble you printer!
Although you purchase the pro series.
They're basically the same!



Follow the video it will definitely help.
With building the printer!

Cheers, Ed

Hi All
Thanks for your advice. I've just ordered the Creality 3 Pro, or V2. As you suggested Peter, it seems the improvements are worth paying the extra £50. There is an awful to of help on the www, particularly YouTube.
I will let you know how I get on.

Steve

Hi Ed.
Thanks for that. I have done some research and it seems that the Creality 3 is the one to go for. There is plenty of help on the www.

Peter
Thanks for the info. I'm on the point of ordering the V2. I'll let you know how I get on

Steve

Hi Steve,

I think the Creality 3 printer.
Is a good choice for a starter!

It took me 2hrs 30 mins to assemble it!

I use some files from Thingyverse!

The most important thing is the keep the building board leveled!

There are more elaborate printers out there!
Do some research!
Find what you like in a 3D printer!

Cheers, Ed

Just been reading Ed's blog with interest. I'm wondering if the model Creality CR10 - more expensive - would give me better quality prints, or does it just have more bells and whistles than the Ender 3?
Steve

Hi Steve.
The Creality Ender 3 is a very good starting printer which Ed has bought. He is having a lot of fun with it and started printing samples as soon as he had assembled it, which did not take him long. The cost is around £200 or less now as it has just been replaced with the V2 version which has a lot of updates done to it. I have just purchased this machine and expect its arrival soon. The V2 Ender 3 is around £250 but I think the extra would be worth paying now as some of the upgrades, such as a glass table, are essential.
Peter.

Hi Steve,
Ed (Figtree) has just taken the plunge.
Have a look at his experiences in his Blog here-
https://model-boats.com/76902
Cheers, Doug 😎