3D printing or Desktop CNC
 

So with all this talk of things like 3D printer guns has anyone here actually bought a 3D printer, or perhaps a small CNC rig? I'm considering both at this point. The 3D printer option has the benefit of being able to make some rather complicated shapes, that include inner voids, but you're restricted to a couple of types of plastic. CNC lets you work with multiple materials, but you're somewhat restricted in the sort of thing that you can make.

Examples:

Printrbot Plus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_O7RqGG1w4

Othermill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXuTtFx6H7I

cnc seems like it would be more useful for motorcycle stuff. 3d printer just still seems mostly novelty to me.

Google : solid concepts , world first printed 1911

I know there are forums dedicated to building home CNC's... A guy I used to work with had been tossing around the idea to build one himself to drill circuit boards... DIY CNC seems pretty attainable... not sure how it would go for 3D printing...

Yes and no. A 3D printer can be used to make things like GPS brackets, cable brackets, sealed cases, and things that require having a void in the middle. The only way to do that with a CNC, is to machine the item in two parts.

You can also use the plastic parts to create a positive, that you then use to create a negative mold for use with another material. This could be useful in the chainmail jewellery making that I've been doing.

With the CNC I could work directly in HDPE (for which I have a source in 2" thick, 4'x8' sheets), aluminum, brass, and copper. That is definitely a plus.

I've seen a fair number of home made CNC rigs, that are typically framed using 80/20. I would rather buy a ready made piece than hack it together myself. The desktop CNC, that I posted a video link for, was primarily designed precisely to make PCBs.

The Printrbot printers are available pre-assembled, or in kit form, starting at around $400.00 for entry level. Top of the line is around $1000.00 and they'll soon have a mod that will allow printing with two materials, simultaneously.

I've never considered the possibilities with either machine. But seeing as how most of the automotive and bike stuff I own is older and hard to find parts for, a CNC machine would be more useful than a 3D printer, for me at least.

Well I'm hoping that the Othermill comes out, soon, at something less than $1500.00 assembled. For me the 3D printer would be better for making things like camera lens hoods and brackets but a router would work better for tripod base plates, and other things that require the rigidity of metal.

Ideally I'd have both.

One thing to be aware of when deciding is what format ( machine language ) the CNC uses. A conversational format would be easier that a G/M code based format.

Jeff
machinist

A lot of this stuff works off G-Code, with the files being converted from something else.

This little baby is looking to be on my short list:

https://www.inventables.com/technolo...kit-shapeoko-2