Hi @valued-customer,

Thank you for the kind words regarding my blog, as well as the descriptive history of your interest with this technology.

I only discovered this technology a few years ago, despite having a bit of a background tinkering with tech since childhood. I found it strange that I had never heard about 3D printing when I discovered it was invented in the 1980's, and many others seem to share this perspective/phenomenon. It's good to know you have a comprehensive understanding of the different types of manufacturing processes.

For me additive made the most sense, despite some people suggesting subtractive. I can imagine a whole host of reasons why I would not want to use subtractive for my home projects. Primarily waste management and reduction of wasted material.

My experience with 3D printing is currently less than 1 year, on the Creality Ender 3 V2 printer.

It would be difficult for me to recommend any other printer because of my lack of experience on these machines.

If I knew the things I know now before buying this machine, I think it's possible I would have chosen a different printer perhaps, unless a certain aspects could be fulfilled, which I will explain.

This printer is known to ship with a defective board, and I just so happen to be operating with the defective board currently. It took me 8 months to troubleshoot the issues it has and find the proper solution. This is why I would not be quick to buy it again, unless knowing with 100% certainty that the machine was shipping with the updated board.
Without going deeply into it.. There are two motherboards. The 4.2.2, and the 4.2.7. I would tell anyone to never get the 4.2.2 version, and ensure you are being shipped the updated without a doubt if you purchase it.
The solution I found was to slow the machine down drastically, or else the prints will always be defective due to the board not being able to handle the voltages at higher speeds, and will overheat and send rogue signals to the stepper motors.

This being said, if you do end up buying this machine, I would be able to help you with some aspects of getting started, which are pretty common aspects with most FDM printers.

I'll list some pros and cons with this machine:

PROS:

• The Ender 3 pro (slightly older model) and Ender 3 V2 have one of the most active communities online, with hoards of helpful information available with online search engines.
• The Ender's are some of the most inexpensive machines for what they are capable of. (less than $300.00 USD)
• The Ender's are very customizable/upgradable.
• Machine assembly is quite easy and straight forward for the mechanically inclined.
• Beginner friendly and set up to ensure the machine operator will be producing prints relatively quickly with little know how.
• Compact and lightweight, relatively easy to move around if necessary.
• Firmware can be easily flashed and upgraded to some more advanced and network oriented firmware's like Klipper firmware, which is powered by Raspberry Pi and has a dashboard that can be accessed through your PC web browser.
• It's known to produce prints that far exceed the quality of other printers in its price range.

These are probably the most prominent PROS.

CONS:

• (As far as I know currently) Creality is still shipping Ender's with the defective 4.2.2 motherboard in some cases, and/or other venders who have stock of the machine will definitely send the defective boards. In some cases vendors might not even know their stock is defective.
• Some of the stock components are prone to defectiveness and are not well made. One such example is the timing belt tensioners. The design is counter intuitive and will break very easily, making it necessary for upgrades to more proper tensioners.
• Other design aspects of the machine are slightly counterintuitive, like the need for the filament guide outlined in this post, and bed plate springs, which are not strong enough to maintain proper bed level and need to be upgraded to avoid the need for constant leveling.
• The onboard display/controller is nothing more than a backlit LCD screen with a twist/push knob and is not convenient to operate. Unless firmware is upgraded to network solution, need for manual use of SD cards for prints is required.
• The print head fan housing unit is not very efficient, but easily upgradable with variations of available designs online.

These are probably the most prominent CONS.

Would I recommend this machine? YES, but only if you're fully aware of the necessary issues and upgrades and willing to put the work in. while being prepared to spend more money on upgraded components.

If you want something that is more efficient out of the box, and don't wish to delve into these aspects, this might not be the machine for you.

I hope this was helpful with giving some insight into a low cost FDM 3D printer. I wish I could offer more insight into other machines, but this is not possible currently with my level of expertise, or lack thereof.

Thank you kindly for the interest in my blog, interest in 3D printing, and excellent engagement.

Have a nice day.