cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/5265624
I made this about a year ago and it’s one of my favorite creations. Even though I made a mistake in measuring the bottom and had to cut out some slots. One day I’ll print it again, but it used a ton of filament and took forever last time.
Is this something that can be safely done inside? I started looking into it once and I saw all these warnings about only doing it outside or investing in big ventilation systems. After an hour or two looking around it seemed like too much trouble and I figured I’d wait for things to mature some more.
That’s resin printing that you need good ventilation for. I think there are some that are safer than others but for fdm which is the melting plastic and extruding it in lines there is no issue being indoors.
You can also make enclosures for them though so they are isolated
I think I was looking at resin, because it seemed to be higher quality and less error prone.
I just watched this video for a comparison. On safety it mentioned fdm needing ventilation, because of the melting plastic, but then that resin would stink up the whole house, so it sounds like that would benefit as well.
I find it funny that the top comment of the video is, “you just talked me out of this completely 😂.” This is pretty much exactly what happens to me every time. It’s something I want to like, but it seems like there are so many concessions that need to be made. This feels like a boat, where the ideal is to have a friend with one instead of owning it myself.
It’s very much not something you can just use like a printer. It’s a hobby in and of itself
Seems to be that way. I’m more interested in modeling and designing stuff, and less interested in the details around the printing. Though I do understand the limitations of the printers need to be taken into account with the design. I used to do a lot of CAD when I was younger, it would be cool to bring some of that stuff to life. I guess I’ll keep waiting for more maturity from the printers. Maybe it can be a retirement hobby for me.
No need to wait, you are in perfect place to pay for a printing service. Its quite cheap and available everywhere if you can provide 3D model. OP’s model is huge so that one might be more expensive
I think understanding printing would definitely help designs so you can make them in ways that are easier to print too
Old article but I’m sure the science hasn’t changed: https://hackaday.com/2016/02/01/3d-printing-fumes-new-science/
Basically, if you are printing with PLA you are probably pretty safe. But I still don’t think I would sit in a tiny closet and hotbox with my printer. An open window or carbon filters on your HVAC are probably more than sufficient. And PLA is the most popular type of filament, so you aren’t limited much there. Unless you need higher temperature parts to withstand sun or car interiors. Then you are getting into materials you want to start looking into better ventilation for.
Yeah, I mostly print PLA, and occasional PETG. My printers are in enclosures as well and while I don’t have any dedicated ventellation system, they are by a window that has a fan blowing outside. I’m not too worried about it.
Even that, I’ve got a center console organizer in my car made of pla and it hasn’t deformed at all. So as long as it’s not in the direct sunlight
I have two Ender 3’s and they are good printers. It can take some tweaking to get things to print right but it has been a good printer for the stuff I’ve printed. Once you get your settings right most print jobs print without issue. It’s an easy hobby to get into without going broke and with some patients you can print lots of stuff for the house. I’ve print coat hooks and a hook to go over my shower door to hold a towel so I no longer have to get my towel wet. We’ve also printed party favors for kids birthdays. Also finding stuff to print has never been an issue lots of stuff is free and the files that do cost are always super cheap. Most of the stuff we bought was 1-3 dollars and you can print it as many times as you want so TCO is really low.