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I’ve been lurking on several sites daydreaming about buying a 3d printer for hobby use. I’m an experienced IT guy who can usually figure out which end of a soldering iron to hold (by the second try, anyway) but my experience with 3d printers is all theory right now.

My budget is laughably small.

I’d prefer not to build my first printer because I want some experience with them before I start trying to create- I want to know what to expect!

The larger build volume of cheap deltas (example: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Flsun-New-Upgrade-Metal-Delta-3D-Printer-Kit-Heated-Bed-and-Auto-Leveling-Free-/182372585632?hash=item2a7640d0a0:g:bz0AAOSwB09YDact) is attractive, but I’ve read a number of folks expressing frustration with leveling and initial setup.

Cartesian printers are simpler- straight lines all over!- but the build volume is limited )example http://www.ebay.com/itm/2016-Flsun-Prusa-i3-3D-Printer-Kit-With-2-Rolls-Filament-Acrylic-Heated-Bed-/182229510091?hash=item2a6db9a7cb:g:BXIAAOSwcUBYT5Ts).

Which would you suggest, and why?

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My 2 cents, save your money for a bit better quality printer. Since your IT guy, like me, I could compare it to buying a new netbook:

You can argue that a cheap netbook will work, it will open a browser, but once you want to do a lil’ bit more, you will find out that your hardware lacks. In this case it will be your controller board, stepper motors and the physical drivers for the motors. I can’t judge the bearings, but I am sure it’s not quality bearings, so expect alot of noise and vibrations that will be shown in the end-result of your print.

I have bad experience with building a delta printer, I had it working, with some success. But the prints lacked the quality I wanted, so I bought a cartesian (BQ H2) and currently I am reverting the delta printer into a CoreXY printer. I am still quiet positive that a delta printer can produce good positive results, if you have everything spot on (lengths of the arms, angles of the arms, etc)

p.s. I think your mind-set: “First I want to buy one and then build myself” is excellent, I have tried the opposite and although it was a really good lesson, I wish I would’ve this mindset from the beginning. (e.g. you need a 3d printed part, go to this site, let some print it and then you figured out you made a boo-boo and need to reprint)

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My brother is printing up the parts for a delta for me. It will be a learning experience (which is not a bad thing). I’ll probably be here posting my most exciting mistakes in a month or two.

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I agree. I would save my money for a quality unit. I wasn’t impressed with Seemecnc delta’s. Kit’s aren’t fun either. Look at the Atlair printers by PrintSpace 3D. They aren’t cheap but they are pretty slick and come pre-built. They have worked good for me.

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My brother is printing parts for a delta for me. I do hope to buy a commercial unit some time later (I dream of the Prusa i3 Mk2 with multi extruders) but by the time that happens, I will have a lot more experience with 3d printing.

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At first sorry for my english :smiley:

I think its all about your taste. In this 3D segment I am newbie too. I read a lot and watch even more videos. I my final result is cartesian models is very simply and for begginer they are great and lots of people have this. Delta is little harder i think, you must really work on first calibrations settings but when i imagine them print i rather be looking on delta printing :smiley: and second think is you can print taller project, soo in finaly its on your choose, for myself i have order delta and waiting delivery.