Looking for the "Shopbot" of 3D Printers

[steve_patterson]

Looking to compliment my CNC capabilities with a 3D printer. So far I haven't found one that feels right yet so, I thought I would ask you all (yall in Texan) if anyone as found the "Shopbot" of 3D printers out there.
Thanks,
Steve

[myxpykalix]

Steve,
I've been following the 3D printing market but not with a specific brand in mind however I would think that if you looked on line to see if a particular Mfg. had a active forum like the Shopbot forum and looked to see what type of technical issues they had and what their customer service was like and how active their forum was and how satisfied their customer base was (like our Shopbot Forum) would be a good indicator. Here's a few...

http://www.3dprinting-forums.com/
http://www.shapeways.com/forum/
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/general_3d_printer_discussion/

Google is your friend:D

[chiloquinruss]

I have a MakerBot Replicator 2. I love it. HOWEVER be aware the 3d printing industry at the low end of the food chain (desktop, under $5k) is an experimentors domain! EVERYTHING is being worked on and changes come fast and furious! I get a good print or two and then its back to tweaking! There are lots of things to download if that what you are about but because you have ShopBot you are probably in the design mode as well. This is the area of most concern. In addition to all of the 3d issues we have to learn about doing ShopBot 3d (subtractive modeling), doing 3d printing is another set of 'learnables' (additive modeling)! Such things as 'watertight' models etc,. Bottomline if you want something to 'play' with, the current state of the art at the desktop level is just that, playable but NOT business doable, not at all like having a ShopBot! That's just my opinion of course. Like I said I love my Replicator but it won't pay any bills around here! :D Russ

[twelchPTM]

did a quick google search and there are a couple of results for a guy modding his shopbot desktop to do 3D printing

[larry_r]

Take look at kossel clear on Kickstarter.com

I have put a pledge in for one. Though I must agree with above poster the under $5,000 units are on the low end, but a great way to get your feet wet so to speak.

[phd1658]

Any body hear what the status is on the printer head that Shopbot was going to come out with? I too am seriously considering buying a 3D printer and right now the Replicator 2 is in strong contention........sure would like to stick with Shopbot, though!