Hi all.

My venerable ender 3 has likely printed it’s last benchy. Plus side, the tech has advanced significantly since I bought it. Down side, I’ve not kept track of the newer options.

Can anyone give me a rundown of which are worth looking at, and which to avoid?

I’m mostly concerned with reliability, but a speed boost would definitely be welcome. A heated chamber and/or multi material would also be very nice to have.

I would like to keep the costs closer to £500 ($680) but can stretch that, if there is a machine worth it.

I also have a complete no on bamboo printers. I don’t like what they’ve done regarding abuse of the open source movement.

Thanks all!

Edit to add. I’m not against non open source printers. I just have an issue with companies trying to burn the ladder behind them and lock their customers into a bubble.

  • 11111one11111@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    7 hours ago

    Honestly what isnt a bad approach, buying one used from a hobbyist. You get the full run down of the machine, rarely with a sales pitch and they arent afraid to tell you what theyre selling is NOT what you should be looking for. You also arent, normally, going to be buying a machine with tons and tons of miles on them. Most find craigslist because the machine’s owner upgraded or realized how long its been on a shelf for. Never bought 3d printer but have bought tons of tools like my cnc router, 2 desktop lathes, laser cutter and press brake, all small models I found not really needing them but always looking out for them… I learn more just going to look at them than i do running them loljkjk. Ive ran into this buying used cars too. There is a weird niche of things that cost so much new that most buying them are die hard hobbyists or trying to start a job shop. Either way they know so much about the machine youre buying amd love telling you everything they did with it.