Print-Rite 3D Printer from Hobbyking
Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2015 4:52 pm
Not the most vibrant forum on the internet and I'm not sure if you guys are in to professional type 3D printing using thousands of pounds worth of equipment - but I am at the cheap end of the scale and thought I'll have a go ...
Bit of background - I'm 63 - live in deepest darkest S W Cornwall - been building and flying model planes since I was 10
I just love the fettling side of the hobby and if pushed would say my enjoyment comes 80% from the building and 20% from the flying.
So - this week (for my 63rd birthday) I decided to have a pop at this 3D printing lark ... I use Hobbyking http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... sp?whl=GBR a lot for my models and they're relatively cheap. Although - like most - they are China based they are developing a UK warehouse and their delivery service is brilliant. So I have been keeping an eye on their 3D printing section.
My best mate who lives in Kidderminster and has been making models with me for 40+ years has just bought their Turnigy Fabrikator http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... ouse_.html
But my budget was a bit more limited and I went for the Print-Rite which is a rebadged Colido
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... ouse_.html
It doesn't have a heated bed - but it did come with a 1kg roll of PLA - and it was well packaged and I had it assembled and printing in about 30 minutes. It uses Repetier-Host software and that has Slicr3 built in.
The bed comes covered in 'Blue Painters Tape' and they add some spare in the box - but I soon realised that's just masking tape - so I've been using that ... I find that a wipe with acetone to clean it of any dirt/imperfections and a quick spray of hairspray and everything sticks well.
In fact it sticks a bit too well - and I've decided that, to avoid damage to the bed, when I take jobs off I just remove the tape and the job together then just retape.
I have used Autodesk 123d to design stuff http://www.123dapp.com/design but haven't done much yet as most things are on Thingverse
I am most impressed with the Print-Rite - it is easy to use - cheap - and fairly robust - easily moveable - and for me as a basic hobbyist I think it'll be fine.
I emailed Hobbyking technical about heated beds and they tell me that within a couple of months there will be a heated bed kit for this model to include a beefed up power supply (regarding amp draw)
Anyway - there you go - a review
Bit of background - I'm 63 - live in deepest darkest S W Cornwall - been building and flying model planes since I was 10
I just love the fettling side of the hobby and if pushed would say my enjoyment comes 80% from the building and 20% from the flying.
So - this week (for my 63rd birthday) I decided to have a pop at this 3D printing lark ... I use Hobbyking http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... sp?whl=GBR a lot for my models and they're relatively cheap. Although - like most - they are China based they are developing a UK warehouse and their delivery service is brilliant. So I have been keeping an eye on their 3D printing section.
My best mate who lives in Kidderminster and has been making models with me for 40+ years has just bought their Turnigy Fabrikator http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... ouse_.html
But my budget was a bit more limited and I went for the Print-Rite which is a rebadged Colido
http://www.hobbyking.co.uk/hobbyking/st ... ouse_.html
It doesn't have a heated bed - but it did come with a 1kg roll of PLA - and it was well packaged and I had it assembled and printing in about 30 minutes. It uses Repetier-Host software and that has Slicr3 built in.
The bed comes covered in 'Blue Painters Tape' and they add some spare in the box - but I soon realised that's just masking tape - so I've been using that ... I find that a wipe with acetone to clean it of any dirt/imperfections and a quick spray of hairspray and everything sticks well.
In fact it sticks a bit too well - and I've decided that, to avoid damage to the bed, when I take jobs off I just remove the tape and the job together then just retape.
I have used Autodesk 123d to design stuff http://www.123dapp.com/design but haven't done much yet as most things are on Thingverse
I am most impressed with the Print-Rite - it is easy to use - cheap - and fairly robust - easily moveable - and for me as a basic hobbyist I think it'll be fine.
I emailed Hobbyking technical about heated beds and they tell me that within a couple of months there will be a heated bed kit for this model to include a beefed up power supply (regarding amp draw)
Anyway - there you go - a review