Brick Bungalow Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 I’m shopping. What should I know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Glacius Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 That really depends on your target build. For example, it is important for me to be able to make good warmaster sized minis...so a 4K is pretty much what I'll need. However, if that scale is not your intent, then a lower rez should do fine. Look at the wash and cure requirements. There are a few machines out there to do that process for you and aren't too expensive. Again though, based on the size and scale you want to build. I also looked heavily at reviews. I was near certain on getting an Anycubic at one point due to the prices and such..but then I kept seeing issues with their support and made me turn away just in case things didn't go smoothly. A few nitpicks for me was build plate design. If they don't have a nice sloped top, then I have read that leads to a build up of resin on the plate itself which leads to clean up issues. Fill lines in the resin pool to easily mark where you should stop is a nice feature. Other than that, it comes down to resolution, plate size, and total height. Of course I still don't own one, so my knowledge is limited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 18 hours ago, Brick Bungalow said: I’m shopping. What should I know? Buy a 4k, mono screen, mid size printer. Elegoo Saturn or Anycubic Mono X. You will be happy. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottshoemaker Posted April 12, 2021 Report Share Posted April 12, 2021 I'll talk about all the other stuff you need: Space. You need a dedicated space with decent ventilation. Even with water based resin it still has a smell. This space needs to be at least 65 deg while printing. If your resin gets cold it gets thick, and it will cause failures. Protection. Remember you are dealing with liquid. It will get away from you, no matter how careful you are. Put down something to protect your worksurface that has a rim to contain spills. Large baking sheet, oil change pan, silicone pet station, just something. Solvent. You'll need cleanup solvent, IPA or water, depending on what type of resin you use. Wash containment. Wash station? Or a tub? I just use a dedicated plastic tub with a locking lid so I can wash prints and tools. Cleanup supplies. You'll need to wipe errant drips and clean your vat. Tools. Clippers, spatulas, brushes, xacto knives, funnels, filters, putty knives, cutting mat Curing. Dedicated curing station? DIY? I use a UV lamp unit and a solar powered turntable in a box. Window sill with good exposure works great too, but only during the day (duh) Extra parts. FEP film, LCD screen, other gubbins like build plate drip holders and such. Not required, but can make life easier. FEP film wears out and has to be replaced. LCD screen are considered commodities on most low end printers. Wouldn't hurt to have a spare. Knowledge. Watch videos on maintenance tasks, like changing out FEP film. Learn how to place supports. Watch 3dPrintingPro on youtube. He gets right to the point. What I've figured out is that FDM printing is very hardware centric. Many moving parts and very mechanical. SLA printing is software centric. The printer only has one moving part and just a few physical rules to follow, but getting the model right in the software is critical. Supports, settings, orientation, these things are even more important than FDM printing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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