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Behind the Scenes: How to Run a Print Farm

🕑 Added 2025-01-25 12:00:06 +0000 UTC

Comments

Bruce McDonald

My son would like to start a print farm, but doesn’t have a sustainable way to cover costs. Would you like to explore offloading some of your printing to him? Once you had a product in production mode he would be able to run and maintain the process, and send product to you for quality checks. Feel free to delete this if it is not appropriate here.

Rex Krueger

We're glad you're here! Glad you enjoyed the video!

Rex Krueger

When I do that, all the Vise Blocks tend to break free and fall off. Lifting them out one at a time works better. (Believe me; I've had a lot of opportunity to experiment.)

Rex Krueger

You're so welcome!

Rex Krueger

I'm glad you enjoyed it. These are fun to share!

Rex Krueger

You're right; we could totally do that.

Rex Krueger

We've only used the Bambu software, but we'll have a look!

Rex Krueger

Thanks for ordering one! I hope you like it.

Rex Krueger

Man, it's been SO cold in Ohio recently. The coveralls are a necessity.

Rex Krueger

Glad you liked it!

Rex Krueger

It's crazy; I'm a total 3D printing noob but I've run close to a 100 parts on these machines. Lucas taught me a lot but I've had many small problems that I've been able to work through on my own. It's a real testament to ease of use.

Rex Krueger

I was so skeptical of selling anything 3D printed, but these new Bambu printers made me a believer. The quality is excellent.

Rex Krueger

We looked at ALL the materials these printers can handle and PETG seemed like the best choice. Glad you approve!

Rex Krueger

I don't know the answer, but I bet it's faster than printing feels! There's a lot of waiting.

Rex Krueger

I respond to comments in the bathroom. #toomuchinformation.

Rex Krueger

I'm going to watch that video! I'm a big fan of SED!

Sam Livingston-Gray

PS: here's the box. This is what finally got me interested in woodworking... https://ruby.social/@geeksam/111258612418381993

Sam Livingston-Gray

Fun view on the process! I went through something similar with my two printers when I was making a ridiculous box—weeks of printing, and a lot of just hitting "redo" on the printer screens. :) If you ever feel like branching out into custom metal fab, Smarter Every Day had an interesting view into a process that sounds like it would work fairly well at your scale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCXu8Ju_fdY

Sam Livingston-Gray

I got into 3D printing about ten years ago, and the quality of [at least some of] the machines on the market today is just vastly better. I also had to learn about filament being hygroscopic the really hard way—by giving up on the hobby, selling the printer, and then hearing from the guy who bought it that he got WAY better results with fresh filament than with the stuff I'd just chucked in a bin for a couple of years. Oops. Anyway, I'm personally Team Prusa, because it bugs me that Bambu doesn't share their improvements back to the open-source community that enabled them to build their printers—but you definitely pay a premium for that principle, so I don't hold it against anybody else who just wants to print a thing and get on with their life. :) If you do want to get back into it, I'd go with one of those two companies. Just don't forget to buy a filament dryer, too.

Richard C von Brecht

You are the most amazing time manager. I bet you somehow turn your bathroom breaks into a business opportunity.

Bob Templeton

Thanks for sharing this view with us. I had to go admire the craftsmanship on my vise block. I've used it several times, but didn't pay much attention to its nice finish. It also reminded me of the old brain teasers like this one. You are living your own version of this math problem. Riddle: If a hen and a half lay an egg and a half in a day and a half, how many eggs will half a dozen hens lay in half a dozen days?

John Erjavec

Thanks for posting this. I got one of the originals, but I know this is one of those perfect items for 3D printing. And PETG with its strength but also a little give should give the product a really good feel which holding up to the long term use. Very cool!

John Erjavec

I totally hear you. I've been 3D printing for a while now, but it wasn't until my Bambu X1C (and now the P1S like Rex has in the video) that I didn't feel like I was spending more time trying to figure out issues vs. actually using the tool. Some other companies are getting closer, but the Bambu printers are as close as I've ever seen to "it just works". It might be time to upgrade and give it another shot. I know I've had a bunch of stuff I've printed to help with my woodworking. :)

Joshua Blanchard

I typically fall into the "I'll just print it myself" camp, but I would have zero reservations about paying for this again. The initial version was good, but these final ones really are excellent in terms of fit and finish. The care taken in design and dialing n the settings shows. They're a fantastic example of how FDM prints can be a proper retail product.

Marty Kay

I got into 3D printing a few years before I got into Woodworking. I've got some severe ADHD though, and the huge enthusiasm and interest I had in 3D printing ran out at some time and it because difficult to do anything. That said, I still have my 3D printer and maybe I'll get back to using it.

Dave West

Cool

Stuart

I had to smirk at the bib overalls it helps complete the image of print farmer Rex out in his field ... um shop. Also +1 on the flexing the plate.

Russell Gough

You were right: it was VERY interesting! And it reminded me that I haven’t ordered a vise block yet! (Sorry!) I’ll get on that pronto. Thanks for the video, my good man!

John M

+1 for flexing the plate. I got into CAD and 3d printing last year because my wood shop is too hot or too cold half the year. I do not run a print farm, but many that do use the Orca slicer to manage theirs, check it out Rex if you have not already. Thanks for the content, I’m enjoying it!

Bradley Barth

You could get e-paper setup or even chalkboard paint for your bin labels to keep track of quantity. I think the e-paper would be more friendly in not getting erased easily compared to chalkboard.