Looking to get started

[Erock482]

Dave, I'd say Photon Mono X 6K or Mono X

Large enough to print 30" D&RGW Equipment, and higher resolution than the mono X I currently run and print 30' 3000 series box cars on.

Perfectly capable of small detail items, but large enough for most projects you'd think of for HOn3, I havent crunched the numbers yet but I think even passenger equipment is doable, might have to print vertical but the machine is more than capable.

[samusi01]

Let me be the odd one here: look around where you live to see if there is a makerspace there before diving in. At home we have one that has multiple 3d printers, laser cutters, cnc routers, etc.  A membership might offer more options than buying a single printer will.

That said, there is something to be said for having ones’ own equipment…

[kornellred]

[AlwaysSolutions]

I suggest an Anycubic Mono 4K.  It's a budget performer.  I have both FDM and Resin printers and for a model railroader just getting into the game, go with the resin printers all day long.  Learning curve is going to be the same for either technology, but your first successful print experience will not be the same.  For the FDM your first successful print will be, "oh man, that's neat!"  but your first successful resin print will be, "Holy @!*#!!  I can make things like this at HOME?!"  If you're a Mr Moneybags then I'd say Anycubic Mono X 6K because it's bigger.  But - at this stage you don't know if you're even going to like 3D printing so I'd stay low budget until you figure it out.  Trust me, if you get hooked on 3D printing you'll be upgrading printers anyway.  You'll also force yourself to learn CAD because you will quickly get bored with not finding exactly what you want on Thingiverse.

Cheers -Mike

[Chris333]

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Not for sale yet.

[Erock482]

Not for sale yet.

And when it is, I will have one! I'm very excited for the possibilities DLP brings to the table for us

[Chris333]

And when it is, I will have one! I'm very excited for the possibilities DLP brings to the table for us

I saw a video comparing a Formlabs 3 with a Sonic Mini 8K and to me the 8K looked better.

[Chris333]

The Mono X 6K is the same resolution as my Sonic Mini 4K, but the build area of the Mono is larger. It has dual rails and looks like the one I should have got instead.

[Chris333]

Well crap the Mono 4K is also the same resolution as the Mono X 6K. I guess I blinked my eyes and now they are all caught up. 

[timwatson]

OK 3D printing gurus...

If I wanted to dip my toe into 3D printing, what's the right printer for me?

I expect I would get started (as I learn 3D design) by printing relatively simple details like barrels, drums, crates, and so forth. Eventually I might like to print components for small structures (windows, doors, trim bits, and maybe even walls for especially small structures) in HO scale. Maybe also an HOn3 freight car or two (limited to about 30 HO scale feet in length).

I'm interested in high quality, but it doesn't have to be injection-molded quality. However, I've often fantasized about starting my own line of narrow gauge detail parts.

I remember a few years back Anycubic Photon was all the talk here on TRW. Amazon has more varieties of that printer than I expected.

I'd like to keep it under $500.

What do you all recommend?

You should get the 8k Sonic Mini. Amazing detail and crazy sturdy right around that price. No regrets on that machine.
If you wanted bigger maybe the Mono X. I have an Elegoo Saturn - it's great too.

I have FDM machines as well but i rarely use them for any train stuff. I did print a fast tracks like turnout builder/jig.

[timwatson]

One of the things that strikes me about 3D printing threads on TRW is the number of things posters are finding they have to improve on the machines to get the prints to come out with the precision they want for N scale.  Particularly things like truing the Z axis to vertical, getting play out of the Z axis, etc.

So, I would like to see some recommendations that speak to how satisfactory the machines are as-delivered, or any "improvements" needed to get good results.  I note that Ed needed to buy a filament printer to make a part he wanted/needed for his new SLA printer.  That adds cost, time and learning curve right there.  So, a machine that doesn't require fixing/upgrading is an important consideration.

You're probably talking about me and yes I did buy a machine that needed lots of work to work "right", but it was something I enjoyed. My OG Photon I still own and now it prints with a mono screen and it's literally the fastest MSLA machine I own. Not the highest resolution but definitely fastest. So I like tinkering.

It's like anything if you can make it better why wouldn't you? I tend to like to bring people along for the ride so the info gets captured. I am a teacher at heart and I like teaching others. So my posts work in that realm of learning and growing.

The SM8k machine is solid and fine as is. It's going to become a workhorse for me and I will do minimal to it. I might change the fan though it's insanely loud.

@Dave V you could also look at a Mars 3 (https://www.elegoo.com/products/elegoo-mars-3-lcd-3d-printer) or Mars 2 pro. Similar to the Sonic Mini 4k but made better.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

[Dave V]

I don't think I'm getting any 3D printer for a little while yet. I had a good conversation with @Ed Kapuscinski and his experience. That said, I was hoping--naively--that there'd be like one printer everyone uses and recommends...but that'd be too easy! I have more research to do I think.

[Chris333]

Thing is when you do buy a printer there will be a whole new round of them on the market. And those Photon M3 models just have a way to pump more resin into the vat while printing. You don't need that.

[reinhardtjh]

And those Photon M3 models just have a way to pump more resin into the vat while printing. You don't need that.

I saw that and thought that it's a nice gimmick.  But really, is it necessary?  And what about when you want to change resins. That's a whole new set of things to clean up, clear out and debug processes for.  Hopefully they didn't make it required to use.

[Chris333]

I guess they did it because Formlabs does it. I can go weeks without adding resin.