I just setup an Elegoo Centauri Carbon yesterday. At $300 USD, it’s a lot of printer for the cost.
I’ve also built printers which is a different beast. If you think your son would enjoy assembling a kit, then there are several great options within your price range. The Voron line of open source printers is where I’d look.
It’s hard to go wrong with a Prusa, but I have a lot harder time justifying their prices these days. I had a MK3S for 5.5 years that served me well.
The moment I needed Microsoft’s permission to use my computer after installing a graphics card, I made an image of the drive, wiped it and installed a Linux distribution. That was 2008, and I’ve been a very happy computer user since.
I know not everyone can make that switch, but it’s easier than ever before, and Valve has really changed the calculus with Proton. Gaming was the biggest thing holding back Linux adoption (IMO).
It would be fitting for this hardware shortage situation to finally change Windows’ dominance. Microsoft has been one of the biggest investors in OpenAI.
Poetic justice?
SuperSlicer has very good default Voron 2.4 profiles, but it is almost bewildering how many options it has
Just because we’re bereaved doesn’t make us SAPS!
Is there a Ralph’s around here?
I think in most cases that’s true. I basically never recommend anything that needs major assembly. I don’t think the average person wants a hobby, just a way to make things they see online. And that’s totally fair. I wanted the hobby.
I agree with this.
That said, if the person who is asking for recommendations loves to build, then a half DIY printer is a good option. Something like a Voron which can be built “to stock” or modified as desired. I just got a 2.4r2 up and running. The software tuning wasn’t bad thanks to SuperSlic3r and the default profiles.
But if the person just wants a printer? Yeah, I’d direct them to one the more finished products available now like a Bambu or the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.
For some reason, I thought about my first fight with Tyler
Just slip the rent under the tree
Never underestimate my laziness
I regret that I have but one upvote for this comment
I’m waiting to see what the Voron option will look like for the Bondtech INDX toolchanger before making a final decision, but I’m building a Voron 2.4R2 with the goal of converting it later on. Filament multiplexing is a nice option, but far more wasteful than I can stand
Where’s Jesus when you need him?
Keep them lubed!
Don’t forget that you’re supposed to use that protection during sex
My understanding is that it flows down from Canada. Vermont has a bad opiate problem partly because it’s so available there.
I agree that the part design is superb, especially coming from the Prusa MK3S. The Voron build manual blows Prusa’s out of the water. I find the whole thing way more intuitive and enjoyable to build.
Fortunately for me, Linux and SBCs are well within my wheelhouse, and that was one of the primary reasons I chose to build a Voron.
We will never be able to repay them for this vigilance