3D printer or cnc mill?

Regarding 3-D printers - if you can afford it, buy a SLA machine versus the filament type.  You get better resolution and the “steps” from the printing process is much better.  The filament printers are basically hot glue guns, so they can’t help making noticeable steps.  The SLA machines use a bath of liquid resin and a UV LCD screen to print the layers and thus deliver a better finish.  It’s messier for sure, as you need to handle liquid resin, the finished product comes out of the bath dripping wet, and you need to clean the finished piece and expose it to more UV light to complete the curing process.  The prices are dropping significantly though.  The Photon Anycubic SLA machine is in the $300 range, similar in price to a high end desktop printer.

I would consider the CNC mill more useful to turn gun barrels and cut shapes.  The mill cutter head shape and size will determine how fine you can do details.

Extremely interesting times we live in.  Who would have thought 3-D printers would be within the consumer modeler’s reach?  I am also considering a printer, as I have some projects that could use parts I cannot source.

Hello Don!

Like you wrote, learning to draw in 3D is a must here. Once you've got that covered, I'd say buy the CNC, and for more complex shapes you can always find someone to 3D print for you. I mean there's no point in maintaining the 3D printer, servicing it, messing with the plastic or liquid resin and so on if you only print something now and then. A really good printer, that can do things useful for a modeller, still isn't cheap, either. I've had a bad experience with a DIY 3D printer and a very good experience with 3D-print-on-demand service - you know, that Dutch-American one.

I'd say if one was to buy a 3D printer for modelling, it would have to have a resolution under 0,1mm, and would have to be able to print overhangs - meaning either SLA, like Real G wrote, where the unhardened liquid supports the overhangs, or a two-extruder FDM (able to print the support material). The FDM also should have a heated worktable at least, or better printing in a heated chamber - and that starts geting pricey.

Hope it helps, have a nice day and a lot of fun with your new toys

Paweł

Well after almost 2 years I can finally post again...

Anyway to your question, I would suggest you look at an Ender 3, they can be had for less than $200 and can print out some pretty good detail. I haven't bought one yet myself, but I know several who people who own them.  

There are better printers out there but these are a great value and a very popular starter printer. 

There are resin printers capable of even better detail, but greater cost, strong smell and in general more for advanced 3D printer users.

There are lot of places where you can get ready made stuff to print, but I assume you are intrested in making your own stuff.

Two popular programs for making your own designs to print are Fusion 360 which is free to hobbyists, and Tinkercad which is also free.

I've been interested and following 3D printing for about 10 years now, and the advances in the past couple years are amazing. The Ender 3 is as entry level as it gets and the detail blows away what $1200 printers were doing 5 years ago.

A few years ago I was debating between getting a 3D printer or a mini-lathe. Because at that time the printers were still rather expensive and the print quality very basic I went down the machining rabbit hole and it is deep. I bought a small lathe and milling machine (Sherlines), and those have been joined by a larger lathe, a vertical mill and a horizontal mill, which combined add up to about 1-1/2 tons of cast iron in my basement... Like I said rabbit hole.

I'd say between a 3D printer and a CNC mill the major consideration is what materials you want to work in. If plastic works, the 3D printer will probably make you happier. It is cheaper and I think more capable of complex shapes. You will need to learn a 3D drawing program either way.

If you want to make brass or aluminum parts a CNC mill would not be a bad choice, but you are looking at a significantly higher price. The base CNC ready mill from Sherline is over $900, and you still need to supply the stepper motors and computer. A full CNC mill set up is around $2500.

You mentioned wood, so perhaps you are talking about a CNC router, those are cheaper, but still more than an entry level 3D printer. Most CNC routers can also mill aluminum.

Many people are under the impression that the various mini-mills and lathes are only good for wood and plastic, but they are quite capable of working in metal. I've made parts from steel with my Sherlines.

Aaronw

 

If you want to make brass or aluminum parts a CNC mill would not be a bad choice, but you are looking at a significantly higher price. The base CNC ready mill from Sherline is over $900, and you still need to supply the stepper motors and computer. A full CNC mill set up is around $2500.

You mentioned wood, so perhaps you are talking about a CNC router, those are cheaper, but still more than an entry level 3D printer. Most CNC routers can also mill aluminum.

 

 

Yes, the mills I am talking about are sometimes called CNC routers, though I think the terminology is flexible here.  The ones I am seeing are going for the same price as entry level 3D printers ($170s - 250).  I often work in basswood for scratch or conversion models, so I keep it on hand- it is cheap compared to plastic.  I am leaning more in that direction now.

One you might be interested in depending on time frame and budget is the snap maker. I keep getting ads for this one as they have a "new and improved" version coming next spring with large discounts for pre-orders.

It is a 3 in 1 machine, a 3D printer, CNC router and Laser cutter / etcher. You swap out modules depending on what you want to do. The original is around $800, and it looks like the new version which comes in three sizes will cost about the same for the smallest size.

https://shop.snapmaker.com/

A laser cutter has been another tool I've looked at. Lots of potentioal for laser cut / etched parts so this one is interesting, but I'm wary of 3 in 1 things and so far I've not met anyone who has used one.

Aaronw

One you might be interested in depending on time frame and budget is the snap maker. I keep getting ads for this one as they have a "new and improved" version coming next spring with large discounts for pre-orders.

 

It is a 3 in 1 machine, a 3D printer, CNC router and Laser cutter / etcher. You swap out modules depending on what you want to do. The original is around $800, and it looks like the new version which comes in three sizes will cost about the same for the smallest size.

https://shop.snapmaker.com/

 

A laser cutter has been another tool I've looked at. Lots of potentioal for laser cut / etched parts so this one is interesting, but I'm wary of 3 in 1 things and so far I've not met anyone who has used one.

 

That snapmaker is still a bit pricey for me. I am setting a budget of 300 or less. I did buy a Cricut machine for cheap a few years ago in a closeout of the model.  My original idea was to use it as a resist mask for photo etching.  Then I found out that they would cut materials other than vinyl, like thin wood and styrene.  Still working with it but have not made anything with it that I used on a model.  My version is not the easiest to set the cutting depth. I see newer versions tout improved depth setting and ability to cut thicker material.  Micro Mark sells one, a competing brand, that is supposed to have those features.  It goes for as much as a 3D printer or mill, however.

I have a Silhouette, which is similar to the Cricut. My wife and I both have hobbies where it seems useful, but I still haven't done anything model related with it, although mostly due to not doing much model related in general the past couple of years. I think it will prove to be useful eventually.

If you get the little CNC mill, please do post about it. I'd be very curious to know how it works out. 

CNC comes into its own for repeatability. However, CNC and 3D printing both need programming input whether it be a file for a computer to decipher into NC code or write up the code manually. 

An earlier poster mentioned you would need a CNC mill for turning gun barrels. Actually you need a lathe for doing that. On a mill you use a rotating cutter on a clamped workpiece. On a lathe the workpiece itself is rotated and the lathe tool brought into contact with the material.

Basically if you are looking to do one offs or very small numbers, you could go the manual milling machine and small centre lathe route and have fun developing machining skills along the way, and actually get a feel for working diferent materials on the machines.

In a previous life I was a CNC machine programmer and there is no substitute for learning the basics on manual machines first. Now that I am retired, I enjoy going back to my fundamental engineering roots and using basic machinery again.

Not sure if this falls into the same discussion, or should be asked in a different thread.

I am interested in an alternative to a laser cutter. My needs are to cut wood vaneer, thin basswood/balsa, heavy cardstock, and styrene sheets for diorama construction (signs, facades, etc.)

Laser cutters are very expensive and I was wondering if a CNC would be a better alternative. Just curious of the level of detail. I work mainly in the 1/24 and 1/48 scale.

If this isn't the proper thread, I apologize.

STOVK

Not sure if this falls into the same discussion, or should be asked in a different thread.

I am interested in an alternative to a laser cutter. My needs are to cut wood vaneer, thin basswood/balsa, heavy cardstock, and styrene sheets for diorama construction (signs, facades, etc.)

Laser cutters are very expensive and I was wondering if a CNC would be a better alternative. Just curious of the level of detail. I work mainly in the 1/24 and 1/48 scale.

If this isn't the proper thread, I apologize.

 

I think it is fine here.  I have heard that vinyl cutters like cricut and silhoutte will cut those materials okay.  I bought a cricut to cut painting masks, but have been trying it on thin sheet styrene.  The model I bought was a closeout special, and I understand newer models have better cutting depth control.  I am having a bit of trouble getting my depth control right.  Also, my cad work is not the best- end up with too many unconnected lines.

I have to watch corners- I need to zoom in and check connection better.  I lost my  good CAD.  The CAD I had, autosketch, will not work on my Windows 10 and I don't want to spend hundreds of bucks for one that will.

STOVK

Not sure if this falls into the same discussion, or should be asked in a different thread.

I am interested in an alternative to a laser cutter. My needs are to cut wood vaneer, thin basswood/balsa, heavy cardstock, and styrene sheets for diorama construction (signs, facades, etc.)

Laser cutters are very expensive and I was wondering if a CNC would be a better alternative. Just curious of the level of detail. I work mainly in the 1/24 and 1/48 scale.

If this isn't the proper thread, I apologize.

 

Don is right some of the higher end Cricut and Silhouette vinyl cutters can cut thin plastic and wood. Even where the material is too thick or hard they make pen sets that replace the cutter which can trace a pattern that you could then follow with a knife or coping / scroll saw. Price for these are $300-ish.

Like all of this tech laser cutter prices are falling. A few years ago there was really nothing under $1000, but now there are some small / lower powered ones in the $300-500 range, that could potentially be useful to modelers.

Thank you All for the info.

Don,

If you have a public library nearby they may have a 3D printer you can use. My local library lets me use their printer at 50 cents an hour and they supply the plastic. You bring in your plans on a thumb drive, plug it in and away it goes.

Rob

rob44

Don,

If you have a public library nearby they may have a 3D printer you can use. My local library lets me use their printer at 50 cents an hour and they supply the plastic. You bring in your plans on a thumb drive, plug it in and away it goes.

 

Rob

 

My county does not yet.  But the county  across the river does- I'll have to see if I can use theirs. I can borrow books from the library.  In the meantime, my daughter has a cnc mill, so I am trying to draw up a wing for her to make for me.  Simple (?) extrusion.