The printrbot is personally what i am going for. it looks like the developer brook really has it together. Printrbot build volume right now is 6x6x6" but from the start, brook said this design is expandable in the future. Get the origional $549 printrbot, the others are not expandable.

http://printrbot.com/ (cheap and solid)

some other considerations because of their build size

MaxiFab - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1642112198/maxifab-3d-printing-framework

BukoBot- http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deezmaker/buko-3d-printer-raising-the-bar-of-open-source-3d
(more expensive)


both of these are appealing, but they dont update as often, and seem to be slower in development.

another interesting bot is a CNC / 3d Printer hybrid called SHAPEOKO
http://www.shapeoko.com/

now to feed these bots.... instead of buying filament for the rest of your life....

FILABOT!!!!!
http://filabot.com/

i find all this stuff out from reading 3ders.org every day.... :)

Quote from Total Psychonaut on May 22nd, 2012, 02:25 PM

The printrbot is personally what i am going for. it looks like the developer brook really has it together. Printrbot build volume right now is 6x6x6" but from the start, brook said this design is expandable in the future. Get the origional $549 printrbot, the others are not expandable.

http://printrbot.com/ (cheap and solid)

some other considerations because of their build size

MaxiFab - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1642112198/maxifab-3d-printing-framework

BukoBot- http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deezmaker/buko-3d-printer-raising-the-bar-of-open-source-3d
(more expensive)


both of these are appealing, but they dont update as often, and seem to be slower in development.

another interesting bot is a CNC / 3d Printer hybrid called SHAPEOKO
http://www.shapeoko.com/

now to feed these bots.... instead of buying filament for the rest of your life....

FILABOT!!!!!
http://filabot.com/

i find all this stuff out from reading 3ders.org every day.... :)

Are you ordering a kit or purchasing a completed unit?  The printrbot looks like its easier to expand because it uses the smooth rods as its frame for the Z axis.  Seems though that the lack of frame isn't good for X axis vibrations.  
A Filabot would be great, I think more controls need to be added to spooling and cooling the filament as it leaves the extruder though.  It will all be standard equipment some day!  In home plastic recycling.

Nate

Quote from Total Psychonaut on May 22nd, 2012, 02:25 PM

The printrbot is personally what i am going for. it looks like the developer brook really has it together. Printrbot build volume right now is 6x6x6" but from the start, brook said this design is expandable in the future. Get the origional $549 printrbot, the others are not expandable.

http://printrbot.com/ (cheap and solid)

some other considerations because of their build size

MaxiFab - http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1642112198/maxifab-3d-printing-framework

BukoBot- http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deezmaker/buko-3d-printer-raising-the-bar-of-open-source-3d
(more expensive)


both of these are appealing, but they dont update as often, and seem to be slower in development.

another interesting bot is a CNC / 3d Printer hybrid called SHAPEOKO
http://www.shapeoko.com/

now to feed these bots.... instead of buying filament for the rest of your life....

FILABOT!!!!!
http://filabot.com/

i find all this stuff out from reading 3ders.org every day.... :)

The Printbot is a cool 3D printer :cool:, but the bed size is the killer for me, not that I wouldn't build one,:D I just think the larger, the better. I have found, the manufactures can not keep up with the demand on the Printbot, they are out of stock on just about everything. Also, the Prusa is expandable, longer rods for the frame and belt reduction for the steppers, gives them a much stronger movement, more torque. I like the Mendel Max as well, with the extruded aluminum frame, very strong and precise movements. Thanks, Jeff.:D

Build it from a kit... you will learn more., and have more capability to fix it, when something breaks down or wears out. you will be more apt for the future

Quote from Total Psychonaut on May 23rd, 2012, 12:49 PM

Build it from a kit... you will learn more., and have more capability to fix it, when something breaks down or wears out. you will be more apt for the future

I agree totally with that, this will also give you ideas on improving the printers.:D:P

the MendelMax looks like an impressive size. What is its build volume?

Quote from Total Psychonaut on May 23rd, 2012, 02:06 PM

the MendelMax looks like an impressive size. What is its build volume?

I have not as of yet checked it out completely, it is fairly new, and very strong. You can increase the size of it as well.:D

:D duuuude...

here is the 3d news site

http://www.3ders.org/

Quote from Total Psychonaut on May 24th, 2012, 12:42 AM

:D duuuude...

here is the 3d news site

http://www.3ders.org/

I have and use it some, not enough time in a day. Also when I first posted this thread,
http://open-source-energy.org/?tid=376
I linked it to my post, thanks.:D

Prusa 3D Printer from 3D Stuff Maker is the best 3D printer kit.It is perfect for beginners and those who want to learn about 3D printing and start their 3D printing journey.

I would suggest the Prusa I3 or a Delta style printer, as I have been at this a while now, although I have two of the early Prusa's still running and working fine.