I was thinking of making a 3d printer controlled by Arduino, but I don't think I'll manage to build it as I don't have the right tools.
So I was thiinking of buying a kit with no electronic (only motors and mechanic parts) but I only found really expensive kits such as the makerbot one or RepRap.
I find it really expensive for a few pieces of plastic...
Do you know any kit for less than 130$ with no electronic or less than 200$ with electronic?
I find it really expensive for a few pieces of plastic.
The problem is those RepRap parts take a couple of hours to print.
Have you seen these:- http://www.emakershop.com/browse/printed-parts
The other parts are just threading an nuts and bolts.
The stepping motors are the most expensive part and they will be needed what ever system you get.
Also look at the repstrap builds on the reprap website.
I know stepper motors are the expensive part (with the platic extruder) but I already have some powerful ones for less than 6 euros. Moreover, 500 euros is really to much for a student like me... :s
If I buy these : http://www.emakershop.com/browse/printed-parts for 50£ I will have to buy a plastic extruder which is more than 80£! I can't afford that... And I'm not sure of having the right tools to cut threaded rod, or the pieces to connect the motors to the threaded rods...
Yes you always need an extruder no matter how you get the carriage mechanism.
I'm not sure of having the right tools to cut threaded rod
A hack saw? Just a few Euros.
or the pieces to connect the motors to the threaded rods
The couplers are included in the plastic parts (Z axis) - the other two axis use belts.
The problem is that to save money you make the parts yourself, but with no tools it is impossible to save money.
As you are a student doesn't you place of education have a workshop equipped with tools you could use if you asked nicely?
And how to make sure the motors I'll buy will fit with the printer?
Look at the size of the hole in the printed part or the shaft size of the recommended motor and make sure your motor is the same size or bigger, then you need to drill it out.
i don't have any machines as we're doing maths, physics and chemistry but no engineer work.
Every place that has done physics that I have bee to has a small workshop somewhere. Ask around the teachers maybe they know somewhere that you don't know.
why are the belts so expensive? It's just a piece of plastic
Well it is a toothed belt so there is a bit of structure there. It will also handle a heavy load.
Timing belts contain a continuous, fiberglass or kevlar reinforcement. If you can imagine how such a thing is molded then you'll probably wonder why they aren't more expensive.
Grumpy_Mike:
The problem is those RepRap parts take a couple of hours to print.
Actually, if you want them properly printed, with enough infill and a low layer height to give a smooth surface, it can take quite a few hours. I printed a set for a friend, at around 100mm/s (with accelration so it varies a lot), and it took me like 10-12 hours of effective printing.