My journey into 3D printing

I got an email from Canada Post saying my 3D printer is out for delivery! Should be here around noon.

What kind of a printer did you get? I live in Canada as well. I recently, actually, about 4 months ago too; got a 3D printer. I chose to get a Sovol SV06+ model. From everything I read, it seems that the Ender series of printers are dinosaurs. And I'm not rich and didn't have the money for a Bambu Labs or a Prusia. I need to order spare parts for it directly from China as Amazon Canada only has spare parts for the non-plus version. But they actually ship quickly enough, nozzles and what have you. I am about to change the stock firmware over to Klipper.. I have a few Raspberry Pi's, but my brother got me a Creality Sonic Pad for Christmas, so it saves me from buying a touch screen (I like to be near the printer for the first layer or two). 

@bl00daxe Really, dinosaurs? My research told me the Ender was the best choice for a beginner. I especially like the fact it has a .ca web site and 2 day shipping from Ontario IIRC.

Good luck

@bl00daxe I just noticed that the Sovol line of printers is actually made with Creality parts.

TBH, had I seen a Creality with dual Z steppers and the 300X300X340 build volume for $100 +- the price of my Sovol, I likely would have pulled the trigger on it sheerly due to the amount of documentation online for that specific line. What I meant, is that the tech, (Including that of my SOVOL) is getting a bit dated now, and yes, they are all built more or less in the same way. The non-Plus SV06 does use a Creality MK8 hotend and nozzle. The Plus uses a volcano style. It does seem to use a rather unique inductive auto bed levelling sensor, which is very nicely accurate from everything I read on it. It's really the Ender line of printers which I was ragging on, it seems each model is always a recycled remix of their various optional brand-components.. Maybe SOVOL is too new to have done much of that yet? 

Edit: And about the best choice for a beginner aspect of these two.. From what I see online, currently it seems to be a 50/50. It makes me sad and slightly frightened to say that shipping from China for spares takes within the week.. Even Ali Express for aftermarket nozzles and such is about 12 days from the Far East.. Yeah, that was one of my after purchase regrets is local support. But from my understanding in general in this hobby is that we are usually our own tech support for most things. 

But at this point, running Klipper and having tuned the main machine in.. The next 'goal' for equipment would be a Core XY style machine, and maybe a custom build, with the aluminum frame and mechanical rods being machined locally to spec to ensure as square and stable a build as possible. Maybe a half a kit build? 

@zander

Is there more to your story?  Did the package arrive unscathed?  What printer did you get?  What are you doing with it?

Tom

@thrandell Packaging was pristine, it is stocked in Toronto and I am only 5 or 6 hours north of that. I got the Creality Ender-3 V3 SE which won 'Best FDM 3D Printer under $200' for 2024. NOTE, that is USD, in Canada it was $239.

I have built a few things that could have easily been done without a printer. I want to print some ultralight airplanes, but the instructions elude me. I have stocked up on filament expecting to use it a lot based on what others here tell me. Unfortunately although they say they understand, they really can't so my handicap prevents me from making much progress.

If you amortize the cost over 5 years (i think that is reasonable) then the monthly cost is roughy $1 per week. I doubt very much that price is an impediment especially when those on the forum undoubtedly overpay for cell service by as much as $100 per month.