MakerGear Forum

Okay everyone, I am brand new to 3D Printing. I want to purchase a 3D printer and it happens that MakerGear is very close to my home, like 40 minutes away. I am thinking of just getting one since they are local. Can anyone tell me how the MakerGear compares to as an example the Ultimaker 2+ or a similar printer. I have been doing so much research and really am confused.

I want to print PLA or ABS and not necessary as a business. I am thinking I need a "heated" bed? I would appreciate any comments or recommendations. I do not even have a feel for what type of feeds or speed as I should be looking at or how long it takes to print things. All I know is I would like to get into the 3D printing.

Thanks.

Hmmmn....I'd say on a scale of 1 to 10, MakerGear is about a 12. (Maybe a 15 now that they have the M2 Rev.E machines.)

I'd also say you're danged lucky to be only 40 minutes away from the best 3D printer for the money on the planet.

I think you'll find that most of the people on the MakerGear forum like their MakerGear M2s, and probably most of the people on the Ultimaker 2 + forum like theirs. So that isn't really a lot of help when you're printer shopping. What you want to look at is what you want to do with it, how much time you're willing to spend learning to use it, and whether the company builds a good stable machine that can be upgraded in the future as you get more comfortable with using it and want to expand your horizons.

I spent a couple of years researching 3D printers before deciding on the MakerGear M2. I was completely new to 3D printing at the time, and I have not been a bit disappointed. You can print with it about 20 minutes out of the box, and you can refine your technique to get prints that rival professional machines costing over $12,000. The MakerGear M2 has won 3DHubs Best of Enthusiast category for the last couple of years.

What is absolutely best about it, aside from the people and support, is that MakerGear offers upgrades to their existing users as something new is developed. They don't just say "Hey sorry kid, you bought last year's model, if you want the new improved leveling system and dual printing you have to buy a new machine". A lot of companies do just that - if you're going to research something about a 3D printer, I'd start with that. If you do decide you like 3D printing and want to grow with it - this is the machine to buy. Period.

What the new M2 machines offer these days to brand new beginners - is an improved semi-automatic leveling system that is super easy to set up once (when you unbox) and then it just keeps that level for months at a time. The prints are more consistent, with fewer frustrating failures than other machines, due to the heavy solid steel frame that provides stability for the prints. It used to have a gap setting method that was a bit tedious (setting the Z-Stop), but that has been completely eliminated in the new models. There is an optional dual upgrade kit currently which can be added at any time after you have decided that you want to try dual color printing or different support materials. It has easy to follow instructions, that do not require an engineering degree to follow. (If you can read and follow directions, you can use the M2.) It does have a heated bed, and you can print any filament on it. All 3D printers print at about the same speeds, the limits come because of the plastic you are using. (Different plastics print at different speeds.) And because the machine is so well built, it survives the mistakes that beginners always make with no harm at all.

There is a learning curve with any 3D printer....it's not a gumball machine. 3D printing is a manufacturing process, the more time you spend getting comfortable with it, the better your results are going to be, and it keeps getting easier and easier. (until you become a fanatic.)

Good luck making your choice!

Wow, what an excellent response to my questions. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it. I am telling you this was just a great response.This was so helpful. I like the idea of getting upgrades for future growth.

Right now I have scheduled an appointment to go to the factory on Friday.

Welcome to the forum...

Being that close I'd give them a call and see if I could come visit and check the printers out first hand.

I was in the same situation you are a few years ago... I knew nothing about 3D printing but knew I wanted to get into it because making stuff is my passion in life. After researching printers I knew I wanted something that was just going to work without the constant fiddling or adjustments that comes along with cheap starter printers that I was reading about. I knew I'd have to spend a little money on a printer to get what I wanted so I set a budget of $2000 and all the research I did point to either the TAZ, Ultimaker, or the Makergear. All three had similar specs with maybe the TAZ having a slightly bigger build volume (if I recall correctly) but the one thing I knew about build volume is the bigger the print the longer it takes and I was aware 3D printing is not a fast process and I know bigger isn't always better. At the time Makergear wasn't as popular as the others in the forums or magazine I was reading but no matter where I asked everyone loved their M2's and had nothing bad to say about them. The further I looked into Makergear as a company the more I was leaning toward the M2 because everything I read about their support was top notch and being totally green to printing I knew I might need some help. The final nail in the coffin (so to speak) on my decision to go with Makergear was an article I read about the owner Rick. It basically laid out how he started in his garage and built his company around offering the best machine he could build... It just laid out the kind of person he was and that's the kind of person I want to do business with.

All said and done I have never regretted for a second buying the M2 (I actually own 3 of them now after owning one there was no thought of even buying anything else) it was one (well three) of the best tools I have ever bought. Like I said making things is my passion in life and these printers have allowed me to make things I could only dream about before. If you do decide to go with the M2 I don't think you'll be disappointed and now that your already a part of this forum you have the backing of so many great people if you ever need any help.

Thanks so much for your reply. I actually have an appointment for Friday. I am so pleased with the responses I have received from this forum. I have been reading various postings by the users and everyone seems very pleased with their M2. This is so great, especially for an old dude like me. I retired from one of the most high tech companies in the world, Lockheed Martin Corporation, so I am used to making things. This 3D printing just seems so logical to me.