The media could not be loaded.
I hope that you will find this review and video helpful in making an informed decision. If you do not like the product, please do not mark the review "unhelpful", unless the review really is lacking. Thanks.
Quick Note: I've seen a lot of comments about no user manual. Once you order your Dremel, you will have at least two days before it arrives. Go to the Dremel website and watch all of the quick and to-the-point videos that cover everything from unpacking to leveling to starting your first print. Then when your printer arrives, you will be prepared and ready to go. Plus you can refer back to the videos as you set up, or you can do what I did: just call Dremel's customer support and say "Hey, I my printer just arrived, its still in the box. help me set it up!".
Like everyone else, I always go to the worst review first, and he (Amazon Customer Since only Books were sold) provides exceptional useful counterpoint information, so please check it out. In fact it was largely based on his recommendations and warnings that I made my decision to purchase. When I got the machine I immediately experience some really quirky issues when I ran it from desktop, but not from Dell Venue, so I did several experiments on my own and friends computers to get at the heart of the matter, as I will discuss later.
I selected the Dremel from 3 possible choices:
The Dreamer by Flashforge for around $1300, the Solidoodle Press (to be released Dec 6 2014) for around $600 and the Dremel for around $1000
So why the Dremel?
1. User Reviews: I had a concern about Flashforge user reviews, some important 5 star reviewers had no other reviews except that product. Although the Solidoodle Press is 5th generation for this American based company, there are several negative reviews about customer support. Amazon Vine Voice users gave thorough and convincing reviews of the Dremel.
Many vine voice Amazon reviewers received the product in advance to test and review before it came to market. I found myself reading and re-reading their reviews every day before it became available for sale. They are ALL GREAT, but IF I had to pick my top 3 favorites, they would be:
Amazon Customer Since Only Books Were Sold (3 star)
Fritosgirl (5 star)
LynnE (5 Star)
2. Cost of Proprietary plastic spools. Although it is possible to jury-rig any set up if you are technical enough, I am not, and am supposing the average buyer of the these machines is not the open-source 3D guru of yesteryear. Dremel's cost per pound is the lowest for proprietary spools (although significantly highly than generic spools)
3. Location of Customer support: Dremel and Solidoodle customer support is US based. Flashforge is China based.
4. Print speeds: Dremel hard set their print speed at Good 120, better 100, and best 80. Flashforge and Solidoodle range speeds from 60-150 or 40-120 but warned that higher speeds reduced print quality. I did try to pin down exact answers but in the end I felt that I was left with a "it will be up to you to guess". I did not like that.
The Dremel has delivered:
1. Customer support: Chat and phone calls. Immediate, thorough, and very intelligent
2. Print quality and speed: Please see attached video for detailed discussion of what that really means to YOU. I think I finally present an answer that everyone is asking. Just what does it mean. I printed the exact same model 3 times. Good, 1 hour, better 90 minutes and best 2 hours. Then I show on the video what the differences are. My final verdict is: For a lot of model making with low details, I feel I could easily go with "good", I don't even need "better". For highly detailed pieces, the "best" setting will provide excellent results and not disappoint.
I think every reviewer provides personal insight and solutions into what they encounter. Here are my solutions for you:
Between Nov 5 and Jan 1, 2015, I have made over 200 models. I re-level the build after about every 15 models, or when I notice that models are not sticking well to the tape.
What are the causes of the build plate to become un-level? Dremel has a removable build plate, that snaps in and out. If you remove the build plate to extract your object (which is by far the easiest method), I have seldom had to re-level, either after pressing too hard removing the plate, or after every 10-20 builds. The forces required to extract your object from the build plate with the plate still in the machine will change the level and force you to re-level EVERY TIME. I cannot imagine that is good for the life or wear and tear on your machine and strongly advise against it. Nevertheless, even the act of removing the build plate causes you to push down on the leveling screws.
CORRECTION!!: Cost of proprietary PLA: Dremel PLA works out to be about $0.1897 per meter. I was paying Makerbot $0.16 per meter for their PLA, because every third party that I tried had issues in my printer. Inexpensive third party PLAs mentioned by other reviewers will reduce your cost to about $.06 per meter, but you will have to build your own delivery system. Honestly I don't have the experience to comment any further, so read their comments to get a better understanding on going this route. Oh, to put it into perspective, the squirrel in my video review, at 20% infill, uses 5.5 Meter of Dremel PLA, Costing $1.09 per squirrel model.
Although I am VERY accustomed to using blue tape for PLA, I have not done so. I used one sheet of the supplied Dremel tape for my first 40+ builds before I replaced it with the second sheet that they supplied. If it does not become available for purchase, I will just switch to blue tape. Here's a clue: When using Dremel tape, you should level with a business card thickness (much thicker than blue tape). With Blue Tape, level with standard their leveling paper or standard 20 pound paper
The software from Dremel has one compatibility issue that causes "Network error" messages". It cannot install on a computer that has on-board Intel Graphics and Windows 8.
I have only printed one Dremel object, everything I have printed has come from Thingiverse or other designers, or things that I designed myself using the free Google Sketchup. Some Thingiverse.com or other party designers (also check out http://www.makershop.co/shop/fantasygraph) may have "holes" in their structures, or may need supports added. Dremel has partnered with Meshmixer software to make fixing any downloading object a breeze. If you try printing an object and the Dremel printer says that's there's an error in printing, its because the object has an issue. Also if you design your own objects using Google Sketch up you will need to use Meshmixer to finalize them. I have included them in the appendix of this review
Advanced Settings
INFILL
In the software you can select "Advanced Settings", which allow you to have access to many setting, especially Infill. Infill is how dense the honeycomb pattern that fills the interior of your item is. For models, you could easily go with a low infill. For tools and useful objects that may be subject to stress, you will want the standard or higher infill. I did a final 4th test on my squirrel object (not shown on video), Best (or High Quality), but I reduced the infill from 35% to 15%. That reduced the time from 2hrs 21 minutes to 1 hour 56 minutes, but more importantly reduced weight (reduced plastic consumption and cost per piece) with zero discernable impact on quality.
Need More? Its been over 1 month of solid daily use now since I received my Dremel printer. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSUlX0Z0DFc.
This is fun stuff!
1 full spool of while, 1 full spool of Translucent, and a 1/2 roll of white and black. No jam
s, no fouls, nothing. I don't rush the filament unloading and loading process either and make sure that the Filament really is loaded by going to control panel and shooting through extra filament until I have constant flow. I also make sure the exterior of print head is clean, just common sense, folks.
I love this printer and I think you will to:
List of appendixes below:
#1: Cleaning objects from Thingiverse, adding supports using Meshmixer
#2: What a supports, warnings
#3: Creating YOUR OWN designs!!
#4: Compatibility issues with video cards
Appendix #1: Cleaning objects from Thingiverse, adding supports, using Meshmixer: (Time to complete 5-15 minutes per object, only needed once per object)
First Time Installation and Set up
A) Go to Thingiverse.com and select an item to download and print. (there are THOUSANDS!)
B) Download Meshmixer from the Dremel Site, Install and Run.
C) Click on the Large Import button
D) Navigate to where you have saved your .STL file from Thingiverse
E) On the left menu bar, click on PRINT icon
F) Below the three buttons, Import, Open and Modify, is the button with the printer name "Dremel"? If not, click on It.
G) Uncheck all the printers, EXCEPT Dremel
H) Proceed to regular Steps
Regular Steps:
A) After importing your STL From thingiverse or that you created in Sketchup, Click Import
B) On the left Menu Bar, Click "Print"
C) *** Now you have to set the object into the printer area ****
D) Click Transform
E) If you created in Sketchup, and did not put in the center of the universe, look for your object beyond the bounderies and move it with your mouse
F) Click Rotate to the get the best seating
G) The size utility in Dremel is much easier, I'm not too concern about that now, just make sure the size fits within the box
H) Click DONE, then select "REPAIR SELECTED" (Note there are manual repair settings once you get the hang of it)
I) if you have overhanging edges, click "ADD SUPPORTS"
J) Click SEND TO PRINTER. This automatically opens your Dremel software
Appendix #2 : A comment about objects that require printing with "Supports"
Not every object requires supports. None of the objects that I regularity print do, Supports are additional thin plastic vertical layers that are added to hold overhanging ledges. A standing four legged animal will require supports because its belly is an overhanging surface, a sitting animal will usually not require supports.
What happens if you don't print with supports?
You will get a lot of runaway thread spilled out, making you think that your print has failed. It has not failed, your machine and your program or fine, it just means that you have overhanging edges and you should stop and restart with supports.
What is bad about supports?
Supports can be dangerous to remove!
They can create sharp edges, needles, and splinters. I would be fine allowing a 10+ year old create with the Dremel for everything EXCEPT removing supports. I would recommend that he selects objects that do not require supports, but if want to pick those type, You should have tools: Needle-nose pliers, tweezers, craft style wire cutters (for finishing work) and patience. I must add that Dremel's support attachment is much better that what we had with our old machine, nevertheless, I still advise caution
Appendix #3: Using Google Sketch-Up
Want to create your own object quick and easy? Download the free Google Sketchup (NOT PRO). This program allows you to design many objects with very little design instruction. Plus there are many youtube videos on how to use Google sketch up. You must add the STL feature from the Google Program top bar menu (go to "Window>Extension Warehouse") in order to save (export) your designs to the compatible .STL format for printing on the 3D printer
Appendix #4: Compatibility Issues
As I mentioned above, There is obvious unannounced bug in Windows 8, in that MICROSOFT and INTEL do not have a Windows 8 update for any machine running Intel on-board graphics. (You can online to Intel and look for updates for graphics for Windows 8 and all you will find is Windows 7).
a) Desktops and Laptops with Windows 7 or 8.x and Video Cards other than INTEL: 100% compatible, no issues
b) Desktops with Windows 7 or 8.x, and on-board graphics other than INTEL: 100% compatible, no issues
c) Desktops with Windows 7 and on-board graphics by INTEL: INTEL has drivers windows 7, 100% compatible, no issues
D) Desktops with Windows 8.x and on-board graphics by INTEL: INTEL does not have drivers for Windows 8.x, You will have some compatibility issues that Dremel can help you through, but your best bet is add a video card to your machine. I purchased a Radeon 5450 $video card for 32.28 from Amazon, and now I have perfect connectivity.
