I am interested in getting a 3D printer but I have no idea where to even started. Is there such thing as a multi-purpose printer? What’s a good source to read up on printers, software, filament?

I am thinking small replacements items like drawer guides, funnel for espresso machine, essentially little parts and pieces that break around the house and farm. Also maybe some device cases (including outdoor ones) etc.

Ideally I don’t want a closed system. I have a Cricut for 10 years or so and I hate being locked into the app so much. Unless there is a really, really good reason.

Edited to add: Thank you all! What an amazing community!

  • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
    7·
    21 hours ago

    As an owner of a Bambu A1, I would not recommend any of Bambu’s printers. They print great, but they have been locking down their ecosystem for no good reason (at least, no good for us consumers). They are blocking both third-party software and hardware (stuff like the Panda Touch display) for “security reasons”, and you have to enable a special Developer Mode to continue using third-party slicers.

    I have my printer stuck on v4.0.0.0 with LAN only mode, using Tailscale to remotely access, as I prefer using OrcaSlicer. They are really pushing to be the Apple of 3D printers by locking down their printers and restricting you to their software ecosystem. They already have tags to identify first-party filament, what’s stopping them from blocking non-Bambu filament like HP and 2D printer ink?

    I would recommend any other brand over Bambu, I know the Ender V3 is a popular option. Sovol and Qidi both have good value options too. Prusa if you have more budget, lots of people love their printers. Haven’t used any of the other brands though, so I have no idea about how well they perform.

    • mrcleanup@lemmy.worldEnglish
      5·
      20 hours ago

      All your points are valid, but I’m not going to put in 3rd party hardware and their default slicer seems great to me. There’s a group of users for who this is all more or less not an issue.

      My Bambu had also been soooo easy. So there’s that.

      • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        11 hours ago

        Bambus do print great, but Sovol, Qidi, Prusa, etc. also seem to print great while not doing any of the Apple/HP-esque anti-consumer practices.

      • bowreality@lemmy.caOPEnglish
        2·
        19 hours ago

        What about software? Locked in? Can you design anywhere and load to print or do you have to design in their software?

        • alx@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
          1·
          12 hours ago

          All slicers, including bambu-studio (which, as a fork of prusa-slicer, is open source) work by loading .stl files from any source, so yes. You can also techniclaay use any slicer, and no network at all, if you put .gcode files on the printer’s sd card. Not convenient, but functional. But again, bamu-studio works great

      • sbird@sopuli.xyzEnglish
        1·
        11 hours ago

        One thing is for sure, their “security” that is Bambu Connect was compromised almost immediately after it was released (not very secure, is it?)