Recommended 3D Printer For School MakerSpace

[JonnyAlpha]

Hi,
I am setting up a maker space in my Primary School and would like to kit it out with one or two 3D Printers? I have cut my teeth on a an Anet A8 but need something in the MakerSpace that will be a workhorse get a resonable amount of use and needs to be reliable and easy to use.
Any recommendations would be great.

[MadeBye]

I have come to learn the 2 types of people in 3d printing, that stay. 1, people that want to design and or make things from others designs and 2, people that like to mod and tinker with their machine. If your going to be using this in a primary school than I assume most of the modding and tinkering to keep it running would fall on staff/teachers and probably bum the kids out when the machine is down too. I am also assuming that rock bottom cheap isn't as much of an issue with some budget allotted to make this happen.
If I had the knowledge that I have now when I started, I would buy a Prusa I3 mk3 every single time. Up to you if you need multi material unit or the bells and whistles but with the backing you get from prusa and the community I would strongly recommend them. The Chinese 3d printer company's support is very hit and miss. It took me 3 months of back and forth to get a replacment for a broken part on a brand new anycubic delta I bought and couldn't assemble, and that is time the students can't learn about 3d printing. I would buy one prebuilt and not a kit also unless you have 3d printer knowledge previously. Happy printing.

[cwbullet]

Prusa MK3S - It is Idiot proof.

[JonnyAlpha]

I have come to learn the 2 types of people in 3d printing, that stay. 1, people that want to design and or make things from others designs and 2, people that like to mod and tinker with their machine. If your going to be using this in a primary school than I assume most of the molding and tinkering to keep it running would fall on staff/teachers and probably bum the kids out when the machine is down too. I am also assuming that rock bottom cheap isn't as much of an issue with some budget allotted to make this happen.
If I had the knowledge that I have now when I started, I would buy a Prusa I3 mk3 every single time. Up to you if you need multi material unit or the bells and whistles but with the backing you get from prusa and the community I would strongly recommend them. The Chinese 3d printer company's support is very hit and miss. It took me 3 months of back and forth to get a replacment for a broken part on a brand new anycubic delta I bought and couldn't assemble, and that is time the students can't learn about 3d printing. I would buy one prebuilt and not a kit also unless you have 3d printer knowledge previously. Happy printing.

I have done plenty of tinkering on the Anet A8 :-) and it would be me that would be running the Maker Space. That said I get it, the Prusa i3 appears to be

[JonnyAlpha]

Prusa MK3S - It is Idiot proof.

Understood, less downtime and more printing.

[cwbullet]

If you need a cheaper printer and do not mind tinkering, the Creality Ender-3 V2 is a decent choice.

[VanHiggy]

Flashforge finder... Its enclosed to keep those little fingers from being trapped. Also the build plate is removable and only moves in the Z-plane so no-one will loose any teeth by getting too close. Its pretty much designed for schools and those new to 3d printing... works straight out of the box with NO ASSEMBLY required. Really good quality prints and totally reliable too. Very, very easy to use and has a simplified slicer screen for beginners (if required). Also works with Wifi or USB and not very expensive either.

[AngelArs]

If you don't mind a long wait time, AND paying excessive shipping charges, AND you are not planning on ever upgrading anything, then the Prusa MK3S is your printer.

Warning for US customers: If your order exceeds $800 (with shipping) you may be charged with customs duties.

If you plan to upgrade from time to time, AND you want to save lots of money but also want to have the printer now (instead of waiting a long time for it) then the Creality CR-10S is the best way to go.

I personally decided that the Creality CR-10S was a better path and I'm now VERY happy that I chose it over the Prusa. The end machine will be better than the Prusa for about the same amount of money, plus I gain valuable experience learning what parts do what function and how they effect the print. I highly recommend the Micro Swiss direct drive extruder and the EZABL Pro auto bed leveling kit.