3d printing

Hey all

does any one know were a guy that does not have a lot of money can get things printed for cheap or were to find the parts to make a printer for cheap. I know you can run them off ardunio which I have three but I would need the stepper motors and the associated hardware to build such a unit. I am trying to get set up so me and my two youngest daughters can build things we have looked at on instructables but not having a 3 D printer is hurting that effort! The cheapest I have found on flea bay is 175 bucks which is not going to happen! So I am trying to come up with a alternative solution. I know I can build the frame out of square tube steel but that right now is not in the budget Either! Any thoughts or ideas that would help me accomplish my goal would be great. Thanks guys for all the help over the years its much appreicated

Vortish I think you should invest in a 3D printer kit, check gearbest, banggood and some other Chinese websites. I built a 3D printer for my home shop and it's been worth every penny and more. You can basically make any object you please out of plastic as long as you have the CAD/design skills for it. It's been my life line for some things lol.

Building it from scratch(your own design, custom software, etc) might be way more difficult than you think. It's quite the undertaking and that's why there are kits for it, and besides, buying the parts separately in the end are often just as expensive as the kits.

I'd help you out for some parts but I don't think it'd be worth it for you. Shipping to the USA gets pricey and filament is relatively expensive here.

EP i thank you for the reply and thanks

Maker Select 3D Printer v2

As I understand it this is a good printer, it does many composites including metallic types, lots of support, DIY improvements and aftermarket upgrades.

Yes, definitely a kit. Even kit 3d printers aren't as straight forward as you think sometimes. But like EP said, it is definitely worth it in the end. Very valuable tool.

I agree with the buy a kit advice over DIY, also you may have someone local who could do prints for you.

https://www.3dhubs.com/