So, you’ve decided that you want to give 3D printing a go, but where do you start? How expensive is it? What model should you choose? How do you set it up? How do you use it? — When it comes to 3D printing there are often more questions than answers. This is how I answered mine.
Quick disclaimer 📜
I’m by no means an expert and I’ve merely scratched the surface of 3D-printing. These are my experiences as a beginner and some of the things I wish I knew from the start. Also, I’m not sponsored by any of the mentioned manufactures. I’m simply referring to their products, because I have the most experience with them.
I’ve focused on just the one model to better give accurate information, on how to get started. This way I can take you from A to Z, on my entire process.
Before you start spending money 💸
Before you go about and order your new 3D printer, you must ask your self “why”. If you’re expecting to just plug it into your power outlet and start printing massive loads of cat armor and Mando helmets without any other effort, you might be disappointed.
3D-printing is a hobby 🔬
Sure, it’s also a tool and once you get the hang of it and start thinking creatively, you can create some pretty awesome stuff, but it’s also about creating perfect prints, calibrating your e-steps, upgrading your extruder and about 50 other geeky activities, that you have to enjoy.
You need patience ⏳
Don’t expect to start your own custom-parts-factory and make a pile of money, selling home-printed parts. 3D-printing takes time and unless you can come up with something truly unique and charge a great deal for it, the time, power and materials spend, probably won’t make up for the potential profit.
It’s noisy 🔊
A 3D printer is pretty noisy, even the “silent” ones. So before buying one, make sure you have somewhere to place it or that you are not bothering your girlfriend, by having — what sounds like a hair-dryer being dragged around by a small robot — running in your bedroom 24/7. It won’t make you popular, trust me.
You don’t have to be a techie, but it’s an advantage 🤓
There’s a huge community and a pile of ressources to get you started, but if you’re already struggling with changing a lightbulb, it’s gonna be a steep learning curve for you. Now, you don’t have to know how to build your own computer from scraps and develop custom software, but the ability to search for the right YouTube video or follow a comprehensive manual, is pretty necessary.
You need 300-400 EUR 💰
This includes the cost of a decent 3D-printer, filament for printing, and initial spare parts. Be ready to spend this.
What printer should you get? 🤔
If you’re like me, you’ll want something that’s pretty easy to set up, but also have the capability to create decent prints. Also you don’t wanna spend 2000 EUR on a printer, that you don’t know how to use. Mastering a cheap printer, beats owning an expensive one with no clue how to get the most of it.
Hence, the Creality Ender 3 V2 😍
The Creality Ender-3 series has been popular for a long time and with the Ender 3 V2, they have eliminated some of the flaws and impracticalities, that can cause a lot of headache. This is the printer that I got and I’m loving it so far. I’ve even gone on to upgrading it, since it has a very modular setup.
Important features 👍
- It comes partly assembled, meaning that it’s fairly easy to set up.
- It’s easy to upgrade, but even the stock version, is extremely capable.
- There’s a huge community of forums, Facebook groups and more, that can help you with this exact series of printers.
- It’s fairly silent, compared to many others — but remember, not “silent”-silent.
Read more here: https://www.creality3dofficial.com/products/ender-3-v2-3d-printer
Important stuff to order with it 🛒
- Filament
The printer only comes with a small sample of filament — the spool of plastic that the printer uses — enough to print a few benchmarks and tests, but not really enough to play much around with it, so go ahead and get a spool or two with it. I‘m not an expert on filament, but this works great for me: https://www.amazon.de/SUNLU-Filament-Drucker-Toleranz-Durchmesser/dp/B07TJG7SX3/ — Just remember to stick to 1,75mm PLA filament until you learn more about your printer and filament types. - New bed springs
It’s a known weakness that the stock springs on the Ender 3 printers, are a bit too weak. This means that you have to adjust your “bed” more often. It’s a very cheap and very easy first upgrade you can do, and it saves you a lot of time and trouble. - Spare metal extruder and bowden tube
Your extruder is one of the first things to change, once you get to know your machine and the bowden tube is a great idea to replace after at while as well.
This kit contains both the springs and a new extruder: https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07TWK8FRN — You don’t have to buy this exact one, but make sure the springs are 20mm and the yellow type.
Many people will tell you to upgrade to an even better extruder with dual drive, and while that’s advisable, this is just easier for a beginner to replace and it’s cheaper as well.
Assembly and first print 🧐
Getting the assembly right is EXTREMELY important and following the attached manual is not specific enough to get you properly started. I’ve heard SO many people having problems with their printers and trying for days and weeks, without a single successful print and most often, this is a result of a laggy setup/assembly.
This is where Just Vlads video really helped me. Use the manual to double-check that everything is in the package and then leave it in the drawer. Watch this instead:
After this, I recommend that you go to Michael Laws YouTube channel and watch this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGqRUdq5ULsOwW9G08jV43YTdMyqJ6xGB — Note that the printer he’s setting up is an older version, but the principles are the same.
Actually printing stuff 🙏
To print stuff you don’t actually send 3D-models to the printer. Instead you send it a bunch of code, telling the hot-end (nozzle-thingy) where to go and when— basically. This is called a slicer.
Slicer software 🍕
The slicer is a piece of software that turns 3D-models into a bunch of code, that the printer can then understand and “read” called Gcode. The Gcode is what you give the printer and this code tells the printer where to go, how fast to do it, what temperature to do it at etc. etc. etc. Basically everything the printer does, is defined by the information in the .gcode-file it’s been asked to print.
Needless to say, how you “slice” your 3D-models is alpha and omega to your final outcome. You can even load Gcode that will damage or destroy your printer, so don’t just hit “print” on every piece of Gcode you find.
There are a variety of slicing software, but the one I use is called Cura and is made from Ultimaker.
Slicing 🥒
As mentioned, this is important. Using the correct settings for the given type og printer, filament, speed, temperature, 3D model — even ambient temperature — can be a jungle, but fear not.
This guide tells you how to set up a good starting point for your settings in Ultimaker Cura. Remember to download the profile and make the changes from the article.
Now your slicing software is correctly set up to start printing stuff, without blowing up your garage.
Finding 3D models 🔎
The most common format to look for are .STL-files. They can be download from multiple places and usually have a few instructions in the descriptions as well, for better printing results.
Ressources for finding 3D models 🔗
For a more comprehensive list, see: https://all3dp.com/1/free-stl-files-3d-printer-models-3d-print-files-stl-download/
Creating 3D models ✏️
3D modelling is an entire career in itself, so don’t loose hope, if you find it difficult. I’m not gonna go into 3D modelling in this article, I’m simply letting you know, that it takes time to master.
YouTube is your friend and there are plenty of free and very decent software out there, for you to play with. Don’t go spending a fortune on software, before you try the free ones. They are usually more than enough.
Bookmarks ⭐️
- Teaching Tech 3D Printer Calibration
This site goes through everything you need to know, to calibrate your printer correctly. - ALL3DP
Great site for news, reviews, guides and more. - Howchoo.com/ender3
Loads of content, related to the Ender 3 series 3D printers. - Creality Official Ender-3 V2 3D Printer Group
Nice place to get help and inspiration. Please search for the answers before asking them. Often it has been asked before.
Final take-aways 👑
Be patient and meticulous
Don’t print faster than your machine can handle, remember to calibrate properly and learn the basics.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it
It’s SO easy to get carried away with mods an upgrades and while they often do improve your machine, it’s often not necessary and if you don’t know what you’re doing you’ll probably end up doing more harm than good. Learning to use your printer is WAY more important than upgrading it.
Don’t give up
At some point you’re going to want to throw your 3D printer out the window and set it on fire. Maybe your print suddenly won’t stick to the bed anymore or maybe it starts making spaghetti for no reason. The potential issues are endless and they can come at any given time. Remember that the problem-solving is part of the “journey” and that there is a solution to ANY problem — no matter how random it may seem.
As I mentioned early on, I’m no expert, so I would be happy to hear what YOU wish you knew when YOU were just getting started.
Happy printing!
