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Get inspired with our ideas category! Ideas for things to make, do, build and repair!

Which Glowforge to Buy? Glowforge Basic Versus Glowforge Pro

Chris Garrett

glowforge-passthrough-hack
Glowforge basic versus glowforge pro

Glowforge reviews like mine have convinced you to buy the Glowforge over other options such as Full Spectrum, Trotec, or a more DIY solution. That’s great!

But which Glowforge should you buy?

Let’s take a look at the differences, what those differences mean in practice, and help you decide!

[Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: advice, comparison, glowforge, laser engraver, tips, tools, versus

Should you buy one, big 3d printer or multiple, smaller printers?

Chris Garrett

Multiple 3d printers

Multiple 3d printers
Multiple 3d printers in operation with one fail

Should you get one big 3d printer or multiple, smaller printers?

It’s a question I get asked a lot.

Obviously, the question is usually answered with a question … or 5 …

There is, however, some general guidance I can give you baed off my own experience. [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printers, 3d printing

These 3D Printer Companies are Abusing Open Source

Chris Garrett

GPL license

GPL license3D Printer manufacturers are in my (non-lawyer opinion) abusing open source, profiting from the developers and the community while not complying with their wishes and the license terms. [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice

The Problem with 3D Printing

Chris Garrett

Printrbot

PrintrbotLately there has been a rash of people on the 3D printing forums and Facebook groups complaining about their 3D printers in a way that makes me think their expectations are set too high.

I don’t blame them entirely, the manufacturers are often setting these expectations with their “it just works” sales copy.

Let’s set the record straight.

What is 3D printing really like? [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printers, 3d printing, makers, making

Is Making an Expensive Hobby?

Chris Garrett

Money, it’s a gas
Money, it’s a gas

Is making expensive?

Just lately I have had a few people imply I was wasting my money on all this electronics/3d printing shenanigans. But is it really any more expensive or wasteful as anything else?

Obviously you can make it as expensive as you want, but does it need to be? And is it compared to other things you might do already, or instead? [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: budget, makers, making

3D Printing Quiz

Chris Garrett

Are you a 3D printing smartypants? How much do you really know? Take this quick and fun 3D printing quiz to compare your knowledge against your friends …. [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printing, quiz

The Best 3D Printers – Which 3D Printer Should You Buy?

Chris Garrett

In this final part of the series, we now need to answer the question many people ask when choosing a 3D printer; which 3D printer is best? I will share the best 3d printers for buying on a budget, the best 3d printer for beginners/class room use, and the best large format/prosumer 3d printers, to help you decide which 3d printer to buy for your particular situation. [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printers, 3d printing, dremel, gcreate, lulzbot, printrbot, wanhao, wombot

36 of the Best 3D Printing Facebook Groups

Chris Garrett

Facebook groupsFacebook has quickly become THE place to discuss 3D printing. I have to say I probably spend more coffee break time geeking out about 3D printing on Facebook than anything else, which explains why people keep saying they are bumping into me more and more online.

Here is my list of the best places to go in Facebook for quality 3D printing discussion, getting help with your 3D printer problems, and making new friends:
[Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: community, facebook, links

Choosing a 3D Printer Part 2 – Buying Decisions

Chris Garrett

3d printersIn part 1 How to choose the right 3D printer for you I listed some questions that you need to consider before deciding which printer to purchase. Let’s go deeper into a couple of the priority decisions so you can narrow down the vast field of 3D printer choices and find your perfect match. [Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printers, buying

How to choose the right 3D printer for you

Chris Garrett

Which 3d printer?One of the most popular questions we get asked in the 3D printing community is which 3D printer to buy! There is a lot to consider in this decision and many, many printers to select from, so I put together some questions you need to answer if you are to make an informed 3D printer purchase decision …

[Read more…]

by Chris Garrett Filed Under: Ideas, Strategies, and Advice Tagged With: 3d printers, 3d printing, buying

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