Anyone else in this boat? It was said by a Bamboo user when I was chatting about my modded Maker Select and the Voron I’m about to build.
I do use the printer a lot for designing and making projects like the sensors I just launched or the Twystlock for Steam Deck, etc.
But I like tinkering/making more. For example I used to mod video game consoles more than I played them, so the comment made sense to me.
Anyone else in this boat?
It’s called a benchy, dude
Machines are a means to an end. Not the end in and of itself. It just depends on what YOUR ends turn out to be.
There is nothing wrong with having your printer be the hobby. It’'s a valid part of of the printing hobby and the current state of 3D printing wouldn’t be it is right now. And Bambu has done nothing new that hobbyists weren’t already doing as a hobby to modify their machines. So I wouldn’t worry much about what a Bambu owner thinks.
I’m a Bambu user (sorry). My Dad bought me a ln A1 Mini for my birthday 6 months ago, and I’ve since bought a second mini with the AMS, and a big-boy A1. I have them set up in a converted garden shed along with my laser (Laserpecker 4). I insltalled AC, radiant barrier, and insulation. and put up a bunch of Skadis wallboard, added some workbenches along 3 sides of the room, etc. Turns out the previous owner had seriously screwed up the electrical service to the building (plugs would operate at different voltages depending on how many breakers were turned on - scary stuff), so last week I ran new electrical service from the pole to the building (about a 300ft trench).
I’ve printed hundreds of hangers for the skadis wall and laser ventilation systems, etc. I’ve designed custom mounts for my laser accessories, custom conduit for some of the electrical lines (nothing exposed to the elements), and more.
I’m worried because my project for the past 6 months has been creating the perfect hobby space, and I’m almost done.
I don’t know what to do after that…
Dont be sorry, that sounds great! Every time I get close to finishing the office/workspace, I find something else.
I thought I was done, then I designed the Twystlock to hang accessories for the steam deck in the corner: https://nowsci.com/twystlock/
Then I designed the pegboard mounts for the tools: https://nowsci.com/pegboard/
Then I made sensors to track presence and the air quality while working/soldering: https://nowsci.com/only-sensor/
Now I’m finishing up a solder fume extractor that I’ll be posting next.
It never ends.
Just got back from Christmas dinner and took some pictures of the progress. It’s not done, but it’s functional.
Definitely a valid thing to have. Imo, as long as it provides value to you creatively or intellectually, then it’s a worthwhile hobby. It sounds like you are using it as well, so that’s just a bonus really.
I’m halfway into that mindset, but got myself a bambu after fighting an Ender 3 for so long and for now at least I’m content to just have a working printer instead of a half assembled one 80% of the time. So many calibration cubes.
As someone that uses the exact same comparison. I do try to make it clear that they are both valid hobbies but you need to be honest which your hobby is when picking a printer. For a lot of the Ender and similar printer owners they really do have a 3D Printer hobby specifically.
