Hey guys! Super happy to have 3D printing forum to share info on!
My name is Daniel and I got into printing roughly 2.5 years ago when started college.
I joined a club my freshman year and over the course of 2 months actually built my own printer from scratch (laser cut the frame, custom cut wires, etc) The design was based on the prusa i3 mk 2. It was a HUGE jump into it as i hadn't even soldered two wires together before building the printer. Needless to say that while it did work also didn't ever really get the best print quality from it. (my first print ever is shown below!) I loved the experience of n working the machine and new i had discovered a real passion. I also at this point had been into prop making for some time and had planned on using my machine to create iron man parts.
While I did dial in settings was never really able to get it working perfectly. After a period of several weeks, I chose to purchase two other machines which are the creality ender 3 and a cr10s. These two machines worked really well initially but I eventually had a variety of issues with the cr10. My ender to this day has needed no changes but will probably get a new extruder soon just to be safe. unlike the cr10 which gave me issues. The machine printed gorgeous parts for the first month but quickly started having constant under extrusion.
After a variety of tweaks and upgrades, I ended up gutting most of the machine so that could replace most of its components and Boom! no more issues with print quality after that. I believe my mistake was ordering from an amazon reseller and not an official US retailer. If you choose to purchase a machine, do NOT make that mistake. Once I felt confident in my machines i was ready to take on bigger projects.
One of the more unique pieces of equipment am lucky enough to have at my disposal is a reprogrammed Xbox Kinect. I had one from many years ago and using a software called Skanect I was able to convert it to a low poly scanner. This has allowed me to scan myself and others to either print figures or use as a reference for scaling as shown below. This kinect has allowed me to get incredibly tight tolerances when scaling costume parts and I HIGHLY recommended looking into one if you plan to make a custom suit in the future. If you are interested in going that route please reach out to ask questions! Im here to stay and would love to help.
For those interested to learn more about any of the stuff have mentioned, here are links to purchase or
learn more. If you have any questions please reach out!
Ender 3 pro: https://tiny-machines-3d.myshopify.com/products/ender-3-pro-3d-printer?variant=13624830033955
Cr10 (not where I got mine but I love tiny machines): https://tiny-machines-3d.myshopify.com/products/cr10sprov2?variant=30964923891830
Skanect: https://skanect.occipital.com/
Honestly, I didn’t expect an online bottleneck check tool to be this detailed. It not only shows the bottleneck percentage but also gives optimization advice. Really polished experience!
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Hi, It’s always interesting to see the kind of tools people rely on for their work. Having the right set of tools can really improve efficiency, whether it’s design software, productivity apps, or something practical like online calculators. The right mix saves time and makes daily tasks a lot smoother. https://ipptcalculators.com/
That’s an awesome journey, Daniel! Building your own printer from scratch and then experimenting with different machines shows real dedication. Just like how you troubleshoot printing issues and check results with patience, it’s equally important in other areas of life to track progress consistently. For example, South Africans needing to monitor grant applications can easily do so through a SASSA Status Check to stay updated with accurate information.
Really enjoyed reading about your journey, Daniel! Building a printer from scratch with no prior soldering experience is seriously impressive—that’s a crash course in problem-solving if I’ve ever seen one. I like how you also shared the reality of dealing with machine quirks, like your CR-10 issues, and the tip about buying from an official retailer is gold for anyone new to the hobby. The reprogrammed Xbox Kinect idea is genius—I can see how it would be perfect for scaling costume parts with precision.
It’s funny, your methodical approach to diagnosing print issues reminds me of doing a Sassa Status Check—you gather the details, see where the process is failing, and then make adjustments until everything’s working smoothly. Different fields, same mindset!
That’s seriously impressive! Building your own printer from scratch and diving into prop making shows real passion and dedication. Just like fine-tuning your print settings, staying updated with tools—whether it’s a 3D printer or something like a SASSA Status Check—makes all the difference. Love the journey! 👏🔥
thank you soo much for your useful information.
And if you’ve faced any challenges, I’m sure the community would be eager to help out.
Have you printed any Iron Man parts yet? I’d love to hear about your projects or any tips you might have picked up along the way.
Looking forward to seeing your progress and sharing more experiences! Keep up the great work!
Using your printer for prop making sounds like a fantastic idea! I’ve made a few props myself, and 3D printing really opens up a world of possibilities for customization and detail.
My first prints were far from perfect, too. I think I ended up with a lot of spaghetti-like filament before I figured out the right settings.
It’s a solid design with a lot of community support, which must have been helpful for troubleshooting.
I totally relate to your experience of diving into something new; I also started my 3D printing journey a couple of years ago, and I remember my first printer build being a mix of excitement and a bit of chaos!
Hey Daniel! It’s awesome to see someone so passionate about 3D printing, especially building your own printer from scratch! That’s no small feat, and it’s cool that you chose the Prusa i3 MK2 as your base.
Visit the official SASSA website and log into your account if you have Sassa status. You can usually check the status of your benefits and claims online. https://sassastatuscheckup.co.za/
If you are looking to add unique and stylish accessories to your home or office, I recommend checking out https://sketchat.sa/en/gallery?categories=%2Caccessories ! In their accessories gallery, you'll find a wide selection of items created using advanced 3D printing technology. These unique products will not only add personality and style to your space, but will also be admired by guests and colleagues
Fellow enthusiasts, diving into the world of 3D printing, I've explored various tools and techniques that have significantly enhanced my projects.
Great tools! Here are some Eight Tips for Improving 3D Print Quality
Adjust the bed and set the nozzle height.
Check the nozzle's temperature.
Use different building plates to create different effects.
Pay close attention to your printer's adjustment and maintenance.
Handle the filament carefully.
Use a slicer.
Lower the printing speed.
Don't forget to post-process.
Regards, Caleb O365CloudExperts