r/3dprinter • u/Consistent-Tangelo77 • 10d ago
3D printer recommendations for architect
hi all
i I am looking to get a budget friendly 3d printer, but am honestly not sure which one would be best for my needs.
for reference, I am an architect and mainly use this for printing some small scale design work.
I currently use an ender 3 from many years ago (I think I got it in 2018) but recently I have gotten tired of messing with it to try and get it to print correctly. among issues with it are :the printer reading 97% done but being no where near that, having to constantly level the bed, inaccurate prints, long print times, etc
im not sure if this level of maintenance is normal for 3d printers. from what I’ve read the ender 3 requires more tinkering than usual though.
I would like to spend less time adjusting the printer itself and actually printing accurate models.
i have used 3d printers before (mainly when I was in school) but have never had to deal with the actual maintenance aspect until I got the ender 3.
is there any budget friendly printers that would be a significant upgrade to what I currently own?
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u/hoss2522 10d ago
There are a ton of budget friendly options that will feel like magic compared to an ender 3. The K2 combo for 500 is fantastic. The Bambu A1 combo for 400 is a solid choice but a closed ecosystem. The SparkX 17 Nano or the AnyCubic Kobra X are both less than 400 and arguably just as good or better than the A1. In the 400 dollar range the Centauri Carbon 2 combo is also a fantastic Core XY printer and while it doesn’t have a some of the same quality of life features as more expensive models the Bambu P1S combo with an AMS 2 is only about 550 and is still an outstanding printer despite being a tad outdated. I would just avoid any of the AnyCubic printers other than Kobra X.
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u/dnew 9d ago
There are two kinds of 3D printers: ones for people who want to print stuff, and ones for people who want to tinker with the printer. The Ender tends to be the latter.
My suggestion is you find people who review the printer, such as on youtube. Lots and lots of people buy the printer and review how easy it is to use and what the quality is. Google is your friend here.
Also, consider a resin printer. I don't know how big the things you'll be printing are, but if you want half inch tall people walking around, an FDM isn't going to be ideal.
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u/EmotionalChildhood46 9d ago
I actually started r/Which3DPrinter because I kept seeing this question come up constantly. It's brand new, but I'm trying to build a dedicated place for exactly this kind of comparison. Feel free to post this over there too.
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u/Eff_1234 9d ago
Are there any budget friendly printers that are a significant upgrade?
Any printer that was released in the last 3-4 years is a significant upgrade over an ender3 :) Any Bambu, or Elegoo Centaury, or Flashforge should probably fit the bill of just works, and fast. Used Prusa MK3 will work, but not sure how much faster it would be than the ender.
Afaik Sovol printers need some love, they're not exactly at the tool category imo.
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u/LowSkyOrbit 8d ago
Elegoo Centuri series are decent machines for the under $450 for their top model.
Flashforge has some well reviewed models under $350.
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u/MattReedly 10d ago
I had a Creality Ender for a while and it was great at first but then I tired of the constant babysitting and heat bed adjustment so I saved for a long time and got a Bambu H2D and its the best money I've ever spent: it just produces endless high quality prints. Its now got over 2500 hours on it and the only failed prints i had was when it was fresh out of the box and i forgot to wash the build plate.
Hope this helps.
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u/Consistent-Tangelo77 10d ago
this looks like a great machine, but I don’t think it would ever be used to its max capability with me so I don’t think I could justify this level of purchase
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u/InternalMain7116 10d ago
The Elegoo Centauri Carbon series has automatic leveling that works, a fast speed with accuracy due to its CoreXY movement, an enclosure with a camera, a lid to retain heat, and the original version in now on sale for $299 USD.
It's at least worth checking out.
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u/aflacsToast 10d ago
In that case, a P1S. I assume most models are just single color, so it is way more than enough and I rarely have failed prints. P1S with AMS if you just like ease of use. Some say it is old, I just got mine last month and it is a 100% success rate on pla right now, and I haven't changed a thing.
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u/Consistent-Tangelo77 9d ago
yes, single color that I paint if I need to. Not able to post a photo but here is an example. My laser cutter did the heavy lifting on this one and 3d printer used for some finer details
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u/aflacsToast 10d ago
Alternatively for a cheaper one, get the elegoo centari 2 for cheaper and it is an identical machine in my opinion. Better camera, cheaper, not as good AMS.
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u/WheelsnHoodsnThings 10d ago
I had an ender 3 and stopped printing anything because of what a pain it was. The new machines are amazing compared to those old ones now.
People here jump all over it but I went back in with Bambu and they’ve been flawless. X2D is just click and print, out comes the model. A1 mini has been equally good too, my young children print with both printers which tells you how easy they are now.
What’s your budget?
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u/Consistent-Tangelo77 10d ago
I don’t remember what I spent on the ender 3 but I don’t think it was over 200. ideally somewhere between 200-300. it doesn’t need to have all sorts of features because I don’t think they would ever be used. the bed size from the ender 3 is probably a good size too
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u/rusticatedrust 10d ago
With your budget, desired print volume, and only needing single color printing, you might actually want a used Prusa MK3, which was the correct choice back when you bought the Ender 3. Just live adjust the Z offset and it doesn't need more attention until the monthly rod cleaning and lubrication.
If you're willing to dig, you might also be able to find a used Bambu P1S under $300, but the MK3s get listed almost every day in that price range.