Any views on this model? Entry Level? BALCO.

https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/balco-3d-printer-with-4-x-free-filaments-and-print-mat-balco/

Manual with Specs:

https://assets.kogan.com/files/usermanuals/BCO-3DPRNT-A.pdf

Would you not get a DIY Kit, I got a Prusa i3 kit easy to assemble and use works well so far and was very cheap from china.

Sweet. I'm open to all suggestions on printers. It's certainly something I want to get my head around. Prusa i3 does crop up a lot in discussions.

What is the best extruder type to get? (is that the correct term)

I've read heated plate and anything from 100-400 microns is suitable for material layer. The common one being 200 micron?

I just put bog standard masking tape on the bed. Works well enough.

Not sure about my extruder it's just the one that came with the kit.

Depends how much you wanna spend, you can get multi extruders for different colours at same time different sizes and all sorts.

@bruce stephen posted this in another thread, lots of info on the upgraded PrUSA

The extruder should be Bowden imo. It's about double the price of a kit also. Other than that it seems like a decent printer.

Sweet. Lots to think about. Seems the Prusa i3 is the dominant design and people have just added to that concept over time.

I agree @SilentChill - Some of the Chinese ones on offer on sites like Gearbest do look like great value. Which model did you get? Did all the bits you needed arrive?

I happened across Thingverse the other day and the thought of downloading a file and printing an actual physical object is awesome.
All for the cost of some PLA!!

Yeah I just ordered the cheapest off aliexpress had no issues at all, everything there and instructions all on the sd card they send with it. Took about 2 hours to build would of been quicker but I built it back to front lol Need to pay attention

Just to close the loop on this

I ended up going down the kit route and built a Delta based printer, using the RepRap Marlin firmware. Took me ages to build the damn thing, but after some early head scratching with setting a level plane, I've managed to get some half decent prints out it!

It's pretty much identical to this model:

After reading a lot about 3D printer I would like to know if there is any wrong about this 3d printer: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...rusa-i3-3D-Printer-DIY-Kit-1/32601424802.html
And why should I buy a Dual Extruder Upgrade Kit? I'm totally new to this...lol

@Pit one thing i don't really like is that it does not have a front main frame below a pic to see what i mean

and could not be so rigid and can cause some trouble with your prints.

its really good that it has a auto-levelling feature it will save you from a lot of headaches and it also has metal Y axis carriage.
if you want to have two colour printed parts than you will want to buy a dual extruder

Also a Plexi glass frame will never be as Sturdy and stable as a Steel/Aluminum version.

Also no mention of heated bed temps.

also look for bowden type extruder. this one carries the heavy stepper motor on the y axis.

@Pit - I ended up going with the same brand (Geeetech) but I got their Delta printer, the G2S Pro.

For me, the printer has been excellent, with a few cons I will point out shortly.

Print quality overall has been excellent, and if you want to see things I have made with this printer check out my Thingiverse profile here: https://www.thingiverse.com/archie73/makes

Pros:
Great Delta setup with Dual Bowen extruders. Takes the weight off the print effector for some fast prints.
Easy to build, I had mine built in a few hours - Config is more (see cons)
All metal parts for the hotend and delta arms
Arduino based board, so can take Marlin or Repetier firmware with ease.
Really good quality prints (I only use PLA) for the price point. Budget printer for sure, but prints well.
Heated Bed, with full control of Temp range via PID setup.
Dual extruders - (also a con, see below)

Cons:
Dual extruders - Due to the budget nature of this and it being a Delta printer I am convinced the Dual one is pointless.
You just can't get both heads level enough to get the dual part working. I ended up removing mine and had never looked back.
I print with one extruder now, and simply change PLA via Gcode to get different colours.

Need a lot of tinkering to get right. My heated bed is slightly concave so needs to be compensated by the firmware. Took me a while to get my head around it, but now I have I can tune it. Just don't expect to build and print. You will need to tune / tinker / pull hairs.

Delta's a re quick to print, but also very quirky. Given my purchase again I would likely go for a moving bed model.
Having said that, once setup correctly watching a Delta based printer 'print' is fascinating to watch and a little bit quieter than tray based ones.

Build quality is random. I was lucky I got a good one from the suppliers, but I have heard many people say the extruders fail after a few hours, heater won't work, steppers are not precise. I was lucky, mine has be fine. YMMV.

Hope that helps @Pit

PS - If you can build a Sim, tinkering with 3D printers is childs play

lol, thank you mate, many information here but still unsure - like as usual when entering a new technology. But more and more it becomes clear which route I have to go.
Aliexpress is very cheap, but you know if you buy cheaply, you pay dearly, so I still hesitate to buy one from there

This is exactly why I spend a few more bucks and got the Legit Prusa i3 and on top of that the newest version the Mk2. I didn't do a Crazy amount of research but everything i read about the Stuff from Joseph has been top notch, their support forum has all the answers' and worst case scenario just call them up or msg them on their site. Very friendly and helpful to any potential problems you might encounter. I was Very leery of doing the Cheap Aliexpress/Ebay route for this purchase. So i feel your pain Pit.

little reading for ya Pit

http://prusaprinters.org/original-prusa-i3-mk2-3-months-update/