Hasta La Ideas

Thanks to our readers who sounded off, following our post on the low-cost Solidoodle 3D desktop printer, on their experiences with such machines. For a first-time buyer, it can be confusing as to what the machines’ exact capabilities are, and a little shared info can go a long way into helping the rest of us make the right buying decision.

“I think the largest misconception would be that all of these are turn-key machines,” reader Shane Johnston pointed out. “I’ve needed to tweak temps on the bed and extruder, wall thickness, layer thickness and speed for each print to get decent results out of the Replicator. [But] coming from a history with other printers like the Z-Corps, I actually like this level of control.”

Additionally, reader JDB pointed out that while the Solidoodle typically prints at a layer height of 0.3mm, it can actually be set to go as low as 0.1mm. And Solidoodle user Ian Johnson mentions that “I would think that all of the hobby printers have the same capabilities when it comes to resolution. The differences will be speed, and accuracy. The rigid metal case helps with accuracy.”

Best of all Sam Cervantes, the founder of Solidoodle—who clarified some of the technical points on their website following our post—helpfully contacted us to illuminate some of the murkier points of 3D printing resolution. As Sam explains:

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