3d Printing and Avoiding Clutter

July 13, 2022 11:15 AM

How feasible / annoying is it to store a 3d Printer away when not in use?

I'm exploring buying a beginner-friendly 3d Printer but I don't want to dedicate tabletop space to keep it out all the time. In an ideal scenario, I would pull the 3d printer out for when I want to print and put it in a closet shelf when it's not in use.

In reading the Wirecutter article on 3d printing, they mentioned that their pick (the pre-assembled Prusa Mini+) took about an hour to set up. I worry that I'd have to do something similar if the printer were to be put away (but not disassembled) after every use.

How annoying / feasible would that be? Would I need to do any re-assembly or calibration before every use and how much time would that take? Would folks recommend a specific model that would accommodate this use-case?

I'm also thinking about using a Maker Space -- and probably will do so to learn -- but limiting the scope of this question to understanding how feasible it is to store a 3d Printer away when not in use.

posted by carpyful to Technology (7 answers total)

My Ender 3 has a footprint of about 50cm x 50cm (20" x 20"). The machine seems solid enough that you could move it pretty easily, and I don't think anything would get noticeably out of alignment by doing so.

With 3D printers you tend to need to check the bed level every now and again anyway, and periodically you need to check the belt tensions, clean and lubricate the moving parts, check the structure for square and tighten the various bolts, as things do gradually move over time due to vibration anyway. Provided you do that, I don't see any major issues.
posted by pipeski at 11:32 AM on July 13, 2022

I have a Prusa mini, and while it's not working right now (for unrelated reasons) it's small and easy to handle and moving it doesn't increase the setup time. (Since it has a bed level sensor, setup mostly takes care of itself anyway, and like all printers it automatically recalibrates its axes at the start of a run.)

It doesn't need disassembling or packaging to store, you can move it as one piece; and it's sized for storage (probably 15x15x20 or so - very compact). It has a separate power brick, which (if you're me) you will want to label up before they get separated.
posted by How much is that froggie in the window at 11:57 AM on July 13, 2022

The Prusa Mini+ is an excellent, robust, and small machine and as long as you don't drop it or force it out of square while storing it, it will be just fine. Pick it up by the heavy horizontal aluminum extrusion underneath on the left and the vertical thick post on on the right side.

You can store the power brick on top of the printing bed with the wires all coiled up. Measuring mine, it is 14" wide, 12" deep, and 15" tall.
posted by seanmpuckett at 2:15 PM on July 13, 2022

I think this is feasible. There might be some problems with the frame getting slightly out of square eventually which would affect print quality. But adjusting and tuning that is part of the fun of owning a 3d printer. You won't have to do the long setup every time. The auto bed leveling can take a little bit depending on how many points it probes, but not too long.
Probably getting a nicer printer like the Prusa is a good idea here. I'd be worried about my Ender 3 falling out of square with a lot of movement. But the Prusas seem to need less adjustment out of the box and I think that'd hold true for the closet scenario too.
posted by Wulfhere at 2:38 PM on July 13, 2022

If you're tetris-ing your printer into a small space, don't forget to plan spots for filament storage! Each roll is small but you can end up accumulating a lot as you mess around with colors and materials.
posted by Wulfhere at 2:41 PM on July 13, 2022

I have a Prusa mk3s+. I recently moved it across the country. The box I moved it in was not much different volume wise than the box it was shipped to me in to do the first assembly. The shape was different, but it wasn't much bigger.

I think the assembly for the mini is about connecting a few pieces so it can go from a "can be shipped safely" configuration to "ready to print" configuration. It's not going to be significantly bigger once assembled.
posted by lownote at 5:21 PM on July 13, 2022

I'd look for a good case for it, so it could be left in usable condition as much as possible, stowed in the case, and safely stored.

A library near me has a 3D printer. I don't even have a regular printer; going the the library is a pleasant event and they have a color printer. I have spent far less on printing than if I owned a printer, and not my aggravation if it jams. See if your library will consider a 3D printer.
posted by theora55 at 8:59 PM on July 13, 2022