Low-cost (down to "toy" level) 3D printers

GordonMcComb

For various and sundry reasons, I'm collecting info on very low-cost 3D printers. I'm pretty sure I've located all the usual suspects, but there are so many from all over I can easily imagine some corner-case models out there that don't have the same PR.

Requirements:
* Commercially available
* Kickstarter OK but only if already funded and is currently available commercially (too many fly-bys now)
* Filament-based (no liquid resin system)
* Under $1,000 -- ideally less
* Kit OK, but your average high-schooler needs to be able to assemble it
* Can have a small stage, but around 100mmx100mm is about the minimum useful
* No eBay-only or Chinese portal finds; this info must be valid for a year or more

An example unit at the very low end was the MakiBox.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

HobbyKing as a bunch of sub-$1000 3D printers:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__1690__1523__3D_Printers_Accessories-3D_Printers.html

-Phil

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

Last Chance to Get The Micro for $349
Price is going up soon!

http://store.printm3d.com/

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

$259 Reach 3D Printer

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2121749597/259-reach-3d-printer?ref=discovery

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

iBox Nano - Worlds Smallest, Least Expensive 3D Printer
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/826799607/ibox-nano-worlds-smallest-least-expensive-3d-print?ref=discovery

Rayman

I have a few of the xyzprinting printers.
They are pretty good for the price.
The software isn't anywhere near as good as Makerbot's though...

tonyp12

$280 free shipping, trick: want to use your own generic spool?, use a nearly empty official cart and just move it a little after it start printing and ignore error message
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-3D-systems-Cubify-Cube-3D-printer-2nd-Gen-Silver-PC-MAC-Wifi-381000-/400898678062?hash=item5d576c5d2e:g:QAEAAOSwBLlVIqC1

Seairth

I also suggest Monoprice. I own this one:

https://www.monoprice.com/product?c_id=107&cp_id=10724&cs_id=1072403&p_id=13860

For $349, it's a really decent printer! They also have an enclosed, dual-extruder version for $649.

Keith Young

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL) wrote: »

Last Chance to Get The Micro for $349
Price is going up soon!

http://store.printm3d.com/

When does the price go up, and to what?

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

@Keith Young

re:When does the price go up, and to what?

I don't know the answer. You can try emailing them sales@printm3d.com
The Printers are made in the USA.

erco

Your book (?) may be out before Mattel's Thingmaker, a $300 printer just announced at NYTF, due out this fall. Mattel traditionally hasn't done tech very well, but they wisely partnered with Autodesk on this one, so it's an optimistic maybe. I hear the bundled design software is nice, and the printer is someone else's proven design. The question is how invasive and/or limiting the safety interlocks will be (for instance, the door is locked while printing).

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/baig/2016/02/12/mattel-resurrects-thingmaker-3d-printer/80236104/

Rayman

I saw that one on Geek.com:
http://www.geek.com/news/mattel-made-a-300-3d-printer-for-kids-1647310/

They seem late to the game, but could have a real winner on the software side.
I think most people just print out things they can download.
This appears to have downloadable interlocking toys, which could be big.
But, if they also get some 3D model creating software from Autodesk, that could be a big plus.

The brand should help a lot too. But, like you said, parents will expect safety with that brand.
I'd guess that will mean locking doors or an alarm that goes off when door opened.
I'm guess it will print PLA so won't have heated build plate, but will have a hot extruder that you don't want kids touching...

potatohead

OnShape is free and capable, BTW.

Buck Rogers

I don't know if this counts, but there are several varieties of pen shaped devices on the market all calling them themselves 3D printing pens. And they seem to make use of the same stuff that the regular printers use.

All are under 100$, but at the moment, Makershed who I first saw one for sale is ignoring me.

---
Um erco why are all of your robots leaving? The four who left are indeed elsewhere.

GordonMcComb

Erco, not a book. It's for a friend who has an idea of using these for a new food venture.

Thanks for the suggestions so far. One reason I wanted to limit to the filament printers is that one (possible) use for this isn't for PLA, but chocolate. It is possible to make filament in chocolate (in colors) of the same size as PLA filamentg, that of course will melt at a much lower temperature.

None of these printers are food grade, but the concept is in the "let's-see" stage right now. There are already 3D printers for edibles, most are quite specialized and fairly expensive for what they do. The Reach is probably the closest in capability and price that my friend is looking for.

Gregg, the printing pen concept is pretty close to what my buddy is interested in doing. But think much fatter pens filled with stuff you can eat.

Bob Lawrence (VE1RLL)

Coolest 3D food printers: CNET Top 5

http://www.cnet.com/videos/coolest-3d-food-printers/

$5000,00 to print chocolate

max72

This shop sells a 3d printer kit that has a good success:

https://www.futurashop.it/3drag-stampante-3d-versione-1.2-in-kit-7350-3dragk

They also sell a chocolate kit...

https://www.futurashop.it/set-estrusore-choco-3drag-in-kit-7350-3dchoco

Massimo