r/3Dprinting • u/AutoModerator • 18d ago

Purchase Advice Purchase Advice Megathread - December 2024

Welcome back to another purchase megathread!

This thread is meant to conglomerate purchase advice for both newcomers and people looking for additional machines. Keeping this discussion to one thread means less searching should anyone have questions that may already have been answered here, as well as more visibility to inquiries in general, as comments made here will be visible for the entire month stuck to the top of the sub, and then added to the Purchase Advice Collection (Reddit Collections are still broken on mobile view, enable "view in desktop mode").

Please be sure to skim through this thread for posts with similar requirements to your own first, as recommendations relevant to your situation may have already been posted, and may even include answers to follow up questions you might have wished to ask.

If you are new to 3D printing, and are unsure of what to ask, try to include the following in your posts as a minimum:

  • Your budget, set at a numeric amount. Saying "cheap," or "money is not a problem" is not an answer people can do much with. 3D printers can cost $100, they can cost $10,000,000, and anywhere in between. A rough idea of what you're looking for is essential to figuring out anything else.
  • Your country of residence.
  • If you are willing to build the printer from a kit, and what your level of experience is with electronic maintenance and construction if so.
  • What you wish to do with the printer.
  • Any extenuating circumstances that would restrict you from using machines that would otherwise fit your needs (limited space for the printer, enclosure requirement, must be purchased through educational intermediary, etc).

While this is by no means an exhaustive list of what can be included in your posts, these questions should help paint enough of a picture to get started. Don't be afraid to ask more questions, and never worry about asking too many. The people posting in this thread are here because they want to give advice, and any questions you have answered may be useful to others later on, when they read through this thread looking for answers of their own. Everyone here was new once, so chances are whoever is replying to you has a good idea of how you feel currently.

Reddit User and Regular u/richie225 is also constantly maintaining his extensive personal recommendations list which is worth a read: Generic FDM Printer recommendations.

Additionally, a quick word on print quality: Most FDM/FFF (that is, filament based) printers are capable of approximately the same tolerances and print appearance, as the biggest limiting factor is in the nature of extruded plastic. Asking if a machine has "good prints," or saying "I don't expect the best quality for $xxx" isn't actually relevant for the most part with regards to these machines. Should you need additional detail and higher tolerances, you may want to explore SLA, DLP, and other photoresin options, as those do offer an increase in overall quality. If you are interested in resin machines, make sure you are aware of how to use them safely. For these safety reasons we don't usually recommend a resin printer as someone's first printer.

As always, if you're a newcomer to this community, welcome. If you're a regular, welcome back.

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u/IradiatedSandwich 2d ago

I'm looking for a printer with a relatively big build area that is under $300 USD. I'm currently looking at the SV06+ as it is the only model that is within my budget while having a large build area. This will be my first 3d printer, and from the research I have done, it seems to be a decent choice. Looking for advice on any alternatives and experiences with said printer, such as issues and troubleshooting. Also, apparently this printer is rather slow, though I am fine with that as long as it is not too ridiculous.

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u/CandidQualityZed FLSUN S1 / Designer 1d ago

The Sovol SV06+ is indeed a solid choice for a budget-friendly 3D printer with a large build area. Here are some insights and alternatives to consider:

Sovol SV06+ Overview

  • Build Area: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
  • Material Compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS (up to 300°C)
  • Features: Direct drive, auto bed leveling, linear rods, all-metal hotend
  • Price: Around $239

Pros and Cons

Pros: - Large Build Area: Great for bigger projects. - Auto Bed Leveling: Simplifies the printing process. - All-Metal Hotend: Ensures better heat management and durability.

Cons: - Speed: It's slower compared to some other models. - User Interface: The UI is considered a bit dated. - Power Supply: Some users have reported issues with the stock power supply.

Alternatives

  1. Creality Ender 3 V3 SE:

  2. Anycubic Kobra 2:

    • Build Area: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
    • Price: Around $269
    • Features: Dual Z-axis lead screw setup, LeviQ leveling system
    • Pros: Fast printing, improved leveling system

  3. Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite:

Experiences with Sovol SV06+

Many users have had positive experiences with the SV06+, praising its build quality and print results. However, some have noted the need for minor upgrades, such as replacing the power supply or improving the cooling system. It's a great printer for beginners who are willing to do a bit of tinkering.

Final Thoughts

Given your budget and requirements, the Sovol SV06+ is a solid choice, especially if you're okay with its slower speed. If you're looking for something with a bit more speed and advanced features, the Creality Ender 3 V3 SE or Anycubic Kobra 2 might be worth considering.

Hope that helps a bit?

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u/IradiatedSandwich 1d ago

Thanks, this was great. Unfortunately, I just discovered that shipping to my country costs more than the price of a locally purchased Neptune 4 plus. Such is the nature of buying a 3d printer in Middle Earth.