Hello all, I am considering on getting a 3D printer. I want to print some stuff for a project. I am relatively new to this. I need the slicer software to be compatible (preferably open source) with linux since that’s what I am using. I have only found the stuff from Prusa to be compatible but they are expensive. I have heard of ender 3 but it is the only os printer by creality and saw the repo is 3yo without updates.
Can I get some suggestions?
The Ender 3 is the printer I recommend new users get. It’s open source hardware and firmware, the devices can be found for as little as $20 sometimes. Bambu Studio, UltiMaker Cura, and PrusaSlicer, and probably loads more are all awesome slicer software that is compatible with a LARGE number of 3D printers.
more info for people leaning towards ender: ender 3’s need to have their wiring fixed by removing tinned ends from wires in screw terminals and either putting them in bare or with crimped ferrules to reduce fire hazard. The heat break should also be swapped for all/bi metal one that puts the ptfe tube out of the melt zone as it will continually degrade from the heat and lead to problems a newbie probably can’t diagnose. and the bed mounts suck, and the build plate once petg gouges it out, and the extruder when the tension arm inevitably snaps, and the list goes on…
that said I have 3 now. 2 were acquired for free. One is a switchwire conversion, one is ender NG, and the other is kevinakasam belt modded. I would recommend both mods that are not the switchwire for cost to improvement ratio.
Ender is a horrible introduction to printing far too much tinkering and manual calibration. Bambu A1 is the way to go now.