Hey Guys, I was wondering if it is worth buying a used FormLabs 1+?? The reviews seem good. Do any of you guys have any suggestions? Is the printer reliable and worth the money? Any suggestions would be great. Thanks.
So it is or isn’t worth buying? As long as I don’t need replacement parts I should be good, right?
Yeah thats up to you. I would prefer to spend the extra on the better machine and know there is parts available.
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That’s true. Do you have any more recommendations for a resin printer?
Not really.
Ember is fairly pricey for small area, it has more customization and custom formulas though if thats what is needed.
Monoprice has one coming out but it uses an lcd display or something so thatll get weak over time.
I would prefer to pay extra for something that works the first time. Kinda why I use Lulzbots instead of lower cost printers, I dont want to pay for something cheap and have issues. Then I end up buying parts or something again and end up spending same amount as if I just bought the best at the beginning.
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That’s true. Thanks for the help. Maybe someone familiar with SLA has a recommended printer. Thanks.
I’ve had one for over 2 years now. A wonderful machine with great capabilities. I bought mine new and I’d say you will go through at least a bottle if not two of resin to get yourself up to speed with how it operates. Remember the tanks are consumables. Along with those you will need a high % IPA (not the beer kind) which I get from ebay.
A few things jump to mind if it’s a used machine,
- Have they ever cleaned the optics and how? Not an issue if they have but if they haven’t used pec pads and IPA then run. Take a torch or a bright LED flash light and look at the mirror under the tank, are there any scratches on it at all? If so, leave it. It’s a reflection first mirror meaning the reflective surface is on top. This increases the reflection of the laser but means it can be very easily damaged. You can get replacements but if this is your first rodeo in SLA it’s not worth it.
- How old is the machine?
- Have any parts been changed under warranty or otherwise? Again not an issue as I’ve had galvos changed and the peel stepper motor changed out but again it’s something to be aware of.
- Is the top cracked at all? If you let any IPA near it then it will embrittle and eventually crack
- Does it come with any tanks or resin? Have these been partially used?
- Does it have the original cleaning kit and is everything present?
You can check my profile for some prints I’ve done on mine or check out my website for others www.plastiprint3d.com
Thanks for the reply. I found it used on Ebay from this link- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Formlabs-Form-1-Complete-3D-Printer-in-box-extras-bottle-of-resin-tank-kit-/262943193733?hash=item3d38a2ba85:g:tPEAAOSwJ4hY8tw6
I can’t look at those things because it’s on ebay and I can only look at it through the picture. What do you mean by IPA?
Thanks.
Isopropyl alchohol - IPA
I wouldn’t touch that printer at all for one very simple reason. They have the build platform installed without a resin tank underneath. The build platforms can store small amounts of resin inside them (they aren’t meant to but it happens). If it drips onto the mirror then it would be a nightmare to properly clean it. Even worse if you don’t notice and it gets set on the mirror. It’s a great printer and I would keep looking but this particular one I’d give a miss.
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Would this one work better?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FormLabs-3D-Printer-Form-1-Complete-Package-w-clear-resin-/182534126053?hash=item2a7fe1b9e5:g:P5AAAOSw3ZRY9PAz
It’s new so I don’t think it would have any issues. Do you have a Form1+? Did you gets yours new?
Thanks.
“I’ve had one for over 2 years now. A wonderful machine with great capabilities. I bought mine new”
It’s going to be a good bit better than a used one! I’d make them an offer a few hundred under their asking price and see what happens.
Good Idea. The only this is once you make a offer on Ebay you have to buy even if the seller doesn’t change their price. I don’t want to spend $2,000 for an outdated printer. Do you have any other SLA printer suggestions? Thanks.
No. If i use best offer to offer 1200 and they decline the offer then no sale is made. You get to only make 2 offers on same item. If both fail you do not have to purchase
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I won’t recommend other SLA options as I haven’t used them. When I was looking to buy, the form 1+ was the printer that jumped out at me as it had the spec I wanted.
What do you guys think is a reasonable price to request due to it not having spare parts available soon?
What did you look for when you were looking for a SLA Printer? I think the FormLabs 1+ looks good becuase I can use cheaper 3rd Party resin and the printer looks reliable. Have you used 3rd Party resin? I was looking at using this resin.
http://www.microcenter.com/product/449441/Vorex\_Resin\_Grey\_250ml
An all in one refined system with good customer service was important to me. Third party resins were terrible when I tried them years ago. I suspect they have improved but I don’t have the time nor the money to waste testing them out.
Thanks, I’ll keep looking into it. Do you have an suggestions on a price I should offer?
I have been lurking around in the shadows on this topic and am going to jump in.
I don’t know a whole lot about SLA printing yet but is the Formlabs 1+ the way to go for a first SLA printer?
I have a possible job coming that would require SLA and I am considering getting one.
Not trying to hijack this thread and thanks for thoughts.
