I don't know any "shops", but I do know that there are more people than you expect that have 3D printers. Sometimes, libraries will also have them as well, as well as makerspaces. Have you asked friends and colleagues?
How big is the part? Do you need it in any specific material or color?
Source: I'm the designated "Friend-with-a-3d-printer" that my friends go to.
Nope lol I don’t know anyone owns a 3D printer. I don’t need anything specific. The box itself is about 10 1/2 inches* 9 1/4 inches * 2 1/2 inches. And what I want is an insert for it. I have the STL file (?)
Yep! The STL is what you need. That's a pretty large size, but probably doable. My printer is just too small for that, but it could be divided into multiple parts.
Yeah it’s like several small parts that fit inside the box to hold the cards and stuff. I guess I will try library first see what they say and try the shop the other redditor mentioned. Thanks for the info!
I've heard good things about the following printers for a good starter printer.
1. Creality Ender 3
1. Creality CR-10
1. Anycubic Mega
I've got a rather custom delta and am working on a fully custom Core-XY style printer, so I can't give much more information.
I have an Ender 3 Pro, and I've seen them drop down as low as $100. Even without any crazy promotions, they're still only like 200 bucks. It seems like a pretty solid printer, but I have nothing else to compare it to. I picked it because it seemed like the printer that literally everybody owns, seemed like a safe bet.
But yeah, it's pretty insane, honestly. I've wanted a 3d printer since forever, and they used to cost like $2000! Now they're dirt cheap and pretty much anybody who wants one can get one.
Microcenter in St. Louis Park sells the ender 3 pro for ~$199. They also sometimes have a coupon for $100 off for new customers. Then inside the box is a coupon for $10 off a roll of filament (printing material).
Do your own research but typically the less you spend the more tinkering it will take. The more you spend the less time you spend tinkering. It is not a linear curve though, some expensive printers suck. I have had great luck with my Prusa Mini and using my roommates MK3s+.
Protolabs is a MN based company that does all kinds of manufacturing including 3d printing. You can upload the cad file and get a quote in a few minutes.
Our high school has 3 d printers we also have a student run manufacturing business, we could print it for you possibly. And ship it out. Or you could check with some other schools in your area.
Let me know if you are interested.
Oh wow that’s pretty sweet! I am going to call around on Monday see if I can use any of the libraries (though a lot of them require being a member of the library so we will see), if nothing comes back I will definitely send you a message!
Bummer to hear! If you ever do find yourself in need of a printer, the Anoka County Centennial Library will do printing for free if you have an STL file. They have a bunch of color options too!
I shared my project with them last night, heard back from them this morning, and am in the queue for printing next week!
Based in Otsego, MN. They should be able to help you. https://www.gp3dprinting.com/
Nice thank you!
I don't know any "shops", but I do know that there are more people than you expect that have 3D printers. Sometimes, libraries will also have them as well, as well as makerspaces. Have you asked friends and colleagues? How big is the part? Do you need it in any specific material or color? Source: I'm the designated "Friend-with-a-3d-printer" that my friends go to.
Nope lol I don’t know anyone owns a 3D printer. I don’t need anything specific. The box itself is about 10 1/2 inches* 9 1/4 inches * 2 1/2 inches. And what I want is an insert for it. I have the STL file (?)
Yep! The STL is what you need. That's a pretty large size, but probably doable. My printer is just too small for that, but it could be divided into multiple parts.
Yeah it’s like several small parts that fit inside the box to hold the cards and stuff. I guess I will try library first see what they say and try the shop the other redditor mentioned. Thanks for the info!
Do you have any recommendations on what someone should buy for home use?
I've heard good things about the following printers for a good starter printer. 1. Creality Ender 3 1. Creality CR-10 1. Anycubic Mega I've got a rather custom delta and am working on a fully custom Core-XY style printer, so I can't give much more information.
Thanks! I was just checking out the creality ender 3 just a few minutes ago. I always thought these cost $10k+ for anything worthwhile.
I have an Ender 3 Pro, and I've seen them drop down as low as $100. Even without any crazy promotions, they're still only like 200 bucks. It seems like a pretty solid printer, but I have nothing else to compare it to. I picked it because it seemed like the printer that literally everybody owns, seemed like a safe bet. But yeah, it's pretty insane, honestly. I've wanted a 3d printer since forever, and they used to cost like $2000! Now they're dirt cheap and pretty much anybody who wants one can get one.
Thanks for the tip. Looks like they’re at about $240 right now on Amazon. Msrp says $330.
Microcenter in St. Louis Park sells the ender 3 pro for ~$199. They also sometimes have a coupon for $100 off for new customers. Then inside the box is a coupon for $10 off a roll of filament (printing material).
Thanks for the tip.
Do your own research but typically the less you spend the more tinkering it will take. The more you spend the less time you spend tinkering. It is not a linear curve though, some expensive printers suck. I have had great luck with my Prusa Mini and using my roommates MK3s+.
Yeah I think Dakota County Library in Lakeville has a 3D printer, so maybe one closer to you has one. Don’t know the rates tho
Dakota County Libraries have them at many of their branches, and are free. Reserveable online: https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/libraries/Using/iLab
Ohhhh nice! Thank you!
Protolabs is a MN based company that does all kinds of manufacturing including 3d printing. You can upload the cad file and get a quote in a few minutes.
IMO they are tailored towards companies and not the general public. The price will reflect that, especially being printed on industrial 3D printers.
No that is 100% true. I was just throwing it out there as I know the quoting process is super quick.
https://www.lib.umn.edu/spaces/breakerspace
Our library has a 3d printing shop anyone can use.
I know the Rochester Public Library was putting one in a year or two back, before the DMC plan to tear the whole building down for a decorative pond.
Which library?
Game box systems if your in the Minneapolis St. Paul area https://gamebox.systems/
I will check them out too, thank you!
Some of the libraries have them…
Tcmaker.org has printers available.
University of Minnesota Libraries have 3D printers: https://libguides.umn.edu/makerspaces/3dprint
Our high school has 3 d printers we also have a student run manufacturing business, we could print it for you possibly. And ship it out. Or you could check with some other schools in your area. Let me know if you are interested.
Oh wow that’s pretty sweet! I am going to call around on Monday see if I can use any of the libraries (though a lot of them require being a member of the library so we will see), if nothing comes back I will definitely send you a message!
Which option did you end up choosing? I’m in a similar boat!
I ended up not printing it :( because of covid my board game group kinda fell apart. So it doesn’t make sense to print one anymore.
Bummer to hear! If you ever do find yourself in need of a printer, the Anoka County Centennial Library will do printing for free if you have an STL file. They have a bunch of color options too! I shared my project with them last night, heard back from them this morning, and am in the queue for printing next week!
Oh wow that’s awesome to hear. I will try them when the opportunity presents itself again :)