this post was submitted on 27 Jul 2023
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Consumer 3D printing. I still can’t get over the fact that I’m able to get a device for only a few hundred bucks that lets me manufacture almost any kind of simple widget on-demand in a matter of hours. It feels like I’m living in the future.
I've been considering a 3D printer for quite some time. Do you recommend FDM or SLA?
What kind of things do you print? How often do you use it? Does it just collect dust? What kind of hobbies do you have and does a 3D printer support/enhance it?
I went back and forth and have both, but ultimately I’ve ended up enjoying FDM a lot more. It really depends on both what you want to accomplish, and how much you’re willing to spend.
I started off with a cheap Ender 3 V2, used it for a little while, then stopped using it as it was a nightmare having to level it and calibrate it constantly. After that I got an Elegoo Mars 2 Pro as I wanted to be able to make prints without all the mechanical complexity of a FDM printer. It was nice for a while, but I ended up not using it as much because I realized that I enjoyed making functional parts a lot more than art/display pieces like miniatures.
I ended up biting the bullet and getting the best printer I knew of at the time: the Prusa i3 MK3S+. I got the kit version so that I could save some money. While I wouldn’t get another kit, I do think that everyone should get a printer that they need to build from scratch at least once. I learned about every single piece of the machine in detail as I went along, and I now clearly understand what people mean when they use terms like “gantry”, “idler”, “heat break”, etc.
After assembly, the MK3S+ was effortless to use in comparison to the Ender 3. It completely changed my mind in regards to what FDM printers could be. I was even able to get some incredibly detailed sculptures out of it (though, of course, not at the level of a resin printer, but still). This printer has been my main workhorse ever since, and I’ve been using it basically nonstop for all kinds of different projects. It’s even paid for itself with a side business I’ve been running by selling parts to people on FB Marketplace.
Overall, I’d personally advocate for FDM. It is far more versatile than resin in terms of print durability, functionality, cleanliness, and size. It’s even cooler if you get into some light CAD design for making your own parts. Even if you want to make detailed models with it, you can always just swap to a smaller 0.2mm nozzle, print at a lower layer height, and get very detailed prints.
I am into woodworking, custom keyboards, gaming, and a whole host of other hobbies (including 3d printing, haha) FDM is definitely the most useful for my personal hobbies, though I have been interested in Warhammer 40K lately, so maybe a new resin printer is on the horizon for me, who knows.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide, but if I had to suggest a good start, I’d go with FDM unless you really want to make minis.
Thank you for the detailed answer! I didn't realize the art vs. funtional piece aspect that you pointed out in regards to FML/SLA.
Definitely something I need to consider!
Nice post, bestof worthy imho.
After having both if you don't mind mess; SLA
I second SLA. Especially if you just want to print small things that look really good.
I am also looking at either getting an FDM or SLA printer, but I am more wondering about the cost of materials than the print quality (most of my projects are small but do not require much detail - they are mechanisms that do not need to be super precise, just printed well enough that components fit) and I have heard that the resin used for SLA is much more expensive than FDM filament. I was wondering to what extent that price difference is.
If you have a place like a shed or a garage I'd say SLA. I prefer FDM because of the materials just being more hardy then what SLA currently offers. But there's so little that can go wrong in SLA. As a consumer product it's so much more repeatible then FDM. But you do need a curing station to wash your prints with isopropyl and running a ultraviolet light on it as well. Also your additude towards cleanliness. If you are the kind of bean that never cleans the toilet or shower give FDM a try, it's still extremely rewarding and you'll likely have to learn how the printer works to be extremely good at it. If you have a spick and span bathroom/kitchen/bedroom check out SLA you'll get an extremely repeatable small prints with hight details like 4k that FDM may never get to.
I'd stay away from SLA, I'm told uncured resin can be quite toxic.
Quick Google: "Short-term exposure to resin fumes can result in dizziness, headaches, and throat irritation. The long-term risks are unknown due to lack of research, but may include increased risk of cancer."