I've decided I'm not ready to own a 3D printer just yet, but I did purchase a 3D printer pen. It's no maker bot, but it's pretty neat. I got mine for about $100 on ebay and it came with some sample filament. Mine uses 1.75mm ABS, which seems to be standard to all the models of 3D pens I have seen. It works like a standard 3D printer has it has a nozzle that melts plastic, but instead of using motorized controls to position the nozzle you free hand it.
Obviously you don't want to print something big, but small things, crafty things and even fixing flaws in 3D prints from printers this pen would be handy for.
Here is a video of the first things I did with my pen. I made a cover for a sonar sensor, fixed an old action figure I had and I made a great big mess with spaghetti plastic all over, but I had fun and learned a lot.
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Thanks for the video and explaining things about the 3D Printer Pen, I had looked at it before on Ebay and Amazon, I thought it was just for fixing mistakes on 3d prints from the 3d printers. I might actually buy one now, since a lot of things I need at times are smaller pieces, it would be very handy.
I may have to pick one of them up just to have a play with it, I can think of load of things where it would come in handy just off the top of my head.
But rich, that idea sounds really awesome. I almost want to do that myself...
You know what would be funny? Give a robot the ability to print with a 3D pen. Sounds like a fun project.
It shouldn't be too difficult to do that, the fabrication of the mounting brackets and movement of the axis would be harder than the programming side of it. You could quite easily program something to build specific parts to set dimensions or even go for the whole Spirograph look and do some fancy 3d printed patterns.
I guess I need to save up and find some time to take on that challenge
I think this might be of interest to you. Our new tool 3D pen that can also solder, burn and cut is now on Kickstarter: [ http://bit.ly/3DSimoMini ]
I would be happy if you could share the idea if you like it, back us or even post your comment here to give us feedback.
Thank you!
your video is helpful
what do you think about
7TECH 3D Printing Pen
http://best3dprintingpen.org/7tech-3d-printing-pen-lcd-screen-ver-2015-light-blue/
ccbetter Intelligent 3D Pen
The Soyan 3D Doodle Printer Pen
Samto 3D Printing Pen for 3D Drawing
Scribbler 3D Pen V3 New Awesome Design
Heating and Cooling is the real trick and thing to master. You needs to be hot enough to stick, but cool quickly enough to make straight lines. You'll need a LOT of patience to master that!
My rule of thumb for a 3D pen is don't spend over $100 for one, and this one is under that price range on Amazon and it looks like it has some nicer features then mine did.
I thought I would use mine more to "fix" mistakes in 3D prints from my printer, but since I'd discovered ABS glue (acetone and bits of abs plastic) and Simplify3D software to print nicer things I have not needed my pen.
http://mobilesiri.com/best-3d-pens/