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Another 3D Printer – PFTR

It’s Sunday and time for another PTFR. The big news is that Judy returns home today.  HOORAY! She’s been gone sooo long I hope I remember what she looks like! :). But suddenly it dawned on me, as I’m looking around the house, Rita has made such a mess.  I had better get busy so she doesn’t get in trouble when Judy walks through the door. Got to look out for my little girl Rita.

Last week I continued to pursue my interest in design and 3D printing and guess what? I found a great deal on a small 3D printer. Believe me, I wasn’t looking for a deal, it just showed up on my computer .. like it was meant to be. The printer was already discounted and on top of that there was another 30% off with free shipping. I immediately searched for reviews and it looks like people love this printer. How could I pass up this deal? To make sure I wouldn’t get in trouble, I figured I had better run this past Judy. The conversation went like this.

Me: Hello dear, are you having a good day?
Judy: Yes . . .  you sound like you want something!
Me: Oh, I was just checking on your well being.  Good to year things are fine. Oh, remember you wanted to make sure I had something to do when we visit Chad in the future.
Judy: Yes.
Me: I found this little 3D printer I could bring on the trips. It would be great entertainment and I could better learn to make some practical objects.
Judy: How much is it?
Me: Less than the cost of 4 skeins of yarn (notice how I relate all costs to skeins of yarn rather than dollars).
Judy: Do you need it?
Me: Yes, I think I do.
Judy: You know I don’t care!
Me, Great. I will get it ordered.

I ordered it on Monday and it showed up on Thursday. That was fast!

3D Printer

While I was waiting for the printer to arrive, I started researching the software setting and modifications I would need to implement to make sure it worked well.  Home 3D printing is still evolving and no printer works perfectly out of the box without some tweeking. Part of the fun is learning to make it work better and better.

The other thing that was holding me back was identifying some good design software (CAD). I could print other people’s designs, but being able to make useful items of one’s own creation is challenging and that’s what I enjoy. There are lots of free programs, but because the learning curve can be long, I wanted to make sure I was investing my time in a program that was popular, well supported and would be around for a long time (with this industry being so dynamic, long time in software and hardware is not long as we usually think of as long).  I wanted to use Fusion 360, but it was very expensive. But my research paid off, you only have to pay for Fusion 360 if you use it to make a lot of money. It’s FREE to the hobbyist and students. That was music to my ears. I found some good tutorials and manuals on the software and I am preparing to begin learning . . if I have time to clean up Rita’s messes!

I will try to have something printed for Judy before she gets home.  It won’t be my own design, but it will be something nice and small. I bet this coming week, if we don’t have rain, will be taken up with honey dos, so it might be a couple of weeks before you see results from the new printer but I will be sure to keep you posted on my progress.  Have a good week and make sure you welcome Judy home this evening!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Glad you have Rita take good care of her. I have a Trixie Lady Penelope Chihuahua. She runs the home here and I have a long haired dashound, glad you got your printer too you seserve it.

  2. Vince can you explain more about 3d printers. I really don’t understand them and I’m sure there are others too. Like what can you make? I saw on the news someone was making guns. Does the thing use some kind of liquid plastic to make stuff or does it use something else? If so is the refills expensive like printer ink is? I told you I didn’t know what they were an need help. thanks ahead of time.
    I know you and Rita will be glad when Judy gets home to have some good cooking.

    • W This is the third time I replied. Maybe it’s not going through since I had a web address in the responses. Google All3DP 101 questions and you will learn a lot more than I know. 🙂 Vince

    • Cheryl, we have yarn coming out of the rafters and it seems to keep coming! I can’t make yarn but I can make her some other stuff, which I will share in the days to come.

  4. Hmmm…..me thinks poor innocent little Rita is taking the blame for the messes around the house. I doubt you can fool Judy into believing your story!!! Good try though…

    • Cilla, You have to know Rita, she is sneaky and hides behind her sweet demeanor. I have to keep a close eye on her. 🙂 Vince

      • Poor little Rita!!! Sorry Vince, but I don’t believe you. I hope you are not working her little paws to the bones today…….

        • Cilla, Only a little over an hour until Judy’s ETA. Rita has been slacking watching the KC Denver game but I am keeping on her. Treats seem to give her a needed boost. I printed her some paw gloves so she’s protected. Taskmaster Vince

          • hmmmmmmm…..I believe a photo would show you in your recliner with TV remote in hand and Rita in her bed upside down sound asleep!!!! Probably waiting for Animal Planet.

  6. My youngest son made his 3D printer in college, it’s cool to watch it in action, now he helps with running the printer lab at LA Tech. Maybe you could get some points from Judy if you make her some knitting needles.

  7. What a wonderful purchase! That 3-D printer will keep you busy and learning new things. I can’t wait to hear more stories about it and will love seeing what you make.

  9. Vince! Rita made the mess? Really? Haha! I know you’ll be glad Judy is home.
    -Jean <3

  10. Can’t wait to see what you make with the 3D printer, Vince especially that you didn’t give us a clue and read Judy’s opinion of your 3D printer/projects! Have a good week & enjoy you printer!!

  11. Good to hear Rita is being taken good care of. You have to keep her out of trouble though. I thought you were going to make Judy some knitting needles?? That would make her happy! I am also glad she is safely home!

  12. I love watching 3D printers work. So intriguing. I’m sure you will have a blast with it. Thenplace Where I volunteer in the winter has one that prints up to 13″ x 13″. They use it to print tiles with symbols for blind illiterate people around the world.

  13. It sounds like mushrooms and 3D printing are the wave of the future! =) A friend’s son had one and printed little boxes with lids for us. I mean little – big enough to hold one of those mini Hershey candy bars. It was so much fun and the lids fit perfectly. I look forward to seeing what you print.

  14. where’s the link to this good deal? Then I can say it just showed up on my computer and I need it too!!

    • Here you go April https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=29417 I bought the open box v2 in black. There is a coupon on this page GET3D for another $25 off and free shipping. This printer is well supported online so you can get lots of good free info. I am using the latest version of CURA and it works well. I ordered PLA from Amazon.
      Vince

      • Here’s a link to the PLA I used and it worked fine https://amzn.to/2DbM2Hl It was one of the lower cost one’s on Amazon. Make sure you get 1.75 dia and remember it’s moisture sensitive. If you need more help, let me know. Vince

        • Thanks Vince! It was interesting rabbit hole to explore while I ate lunch at my desk. It really is a good deal. I have a good friend that makes stuff all the time and I follow along her adventures on fb. However I have 2 jobs and 2 kids and redoing a house. Came to my senses and not adding another hobby I don’t have time for right now. Especially one that will have my kids driving me crazy with teaching them to how to build things. lol (They are 9 and 11. I’m focusing on self sufficiency. You want to make things on a 3D printer, then you better learn to do it. One already wants me to build him an app. I’m thinking sure sweetie, I don’t need sleep this week.)

          • I understand April. I did find another good deal on Amazon https://amzn.to/2SwABhN I bought V1 of this printer and it’s built like a tank. They have come out with a new model and I guess these are being clearanced. I paid over $400 for a used one. While more $ than the Monoprice, it has a lot of nice features and comes pre-assembled too.

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