3D Printer Australia

Advice and resources for 3D printers, usage, files and modelling tailored to Down Under.

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Guides And Free 3D Files

Jump in to guides to get you started, or find the answer to common 3D printing problems. 

Resin 3D Printer Guide
FDM Printer Guide
Owner’s Guides
3D Printer Artist & File Guides

FDM or Resin 3D Printer?

FDM is best for:
  • Miniature houses, vehicles, ships & furniture
  • Gadgets and gizmos such as phone holders or spare parts
  • Cosplay props
Resin is best for:
  • Miniature figures of people & creatures
  • Figures for D&D and tabletop or Warhammer proxies
  • Figures for painting and display

What is 3D Printer Australia?

There are tons of 3D printer websites on the web, but most of them cater to American audiences. When getting started with something as niche and technical as 3D printing, it helps to have a guide that is tailored to where you live and what you’ll realistically have access to.

If you’re wondering how to make 3D printing in Australia a viable hobby, and get to creating all of the incredible art you’ve seen posted online, I’ve compiled all of the essential information that got me off the ground. And then some.

I have gone down the rabbit hole of everything to do with 3D printers – from resin, to FDM, to 3D modelling and sculpting.

Whether you’re thinking of getting your very first 3D printer, or just seeking more resources for what to print, how to troubleshoot, or which 3D printer to get next, the aim is to have it all available in one spot.

3D printing is by far my favourite hobby, and I want to make it easy for people to get involved by demystifying everything. The learning curve is lifelong – but not steep! If you’re brand new to 3D printers, start here: 3D printer types.

FAQs

Definition: What is a 3D Printer?

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is the creation of three-dimensional objects, typically by layering a succession of thin layers of material one on top of the other to create a whole. The most common 3D printer types for home use include resin 3D printers and FDM printers (Fused Deposition Modeling, or plastic printers).

Is Owning a 3D Printer Expensive?

A 3D printer’s upkeep costs themselves are very minimal – you will generally just need to supply the material you intend to print with, be that resin (between AUD $30 – $60 per 1kg bottle typically) or filament (between AUD $30 – $40 per 1kg roll typically).

 

The additional costs you’ll hear about most often arise from breakages – broken parts from user-errors, or more often than not tinkering with parts in your effort to play around or upgrade something. While some parts are inexpensive, depending on the machine, breaking an expensive part will inevitably mean an expensive repair.

 

Lastly, there are a few minor costs arising from your consumables – you will need cleaning supplies, the occasional new nozzle for FDMs or FEP sheets for resin printers, and you will need a few cheap extra supplies along the way depending on the printer. An FDM may require some glue sticks, and a resin printer will require disposable gloves and alcohol.

 

If it sounds confusing, check out my guide for getting a FDM 3D printer here or my guide for getting a resin 3D printer here. Once the basics are demystified, you’ll realise that many home printers on the market in 2022 are pretty much plug and play!

What are the Differences Between a Resin vs Filament 3D Printer?

Resin and filament 3D printers each print different materials (resin and filament, respectively), and do so in two very distinct ways. While resin utilises flashes of UV light to solidify resin, filament printers (commonly called FDM printers) instead deposit plastic brought to its melting point in very thin, computer controlled layers which then solidify when they cool.

 

Both have their pros and cons, but generally speaking, resin printers are preferential for their sharper details such as for miniatures, while plastic printers fare better for terrain or more durable objects such as household knick-knacks, car parts and so on.

 

This subject is extensive – so I wrote a full guide complete with visuals that you can read on it here. Personally, I own both printer types and use both for different, almost exclusive object types that play to their strengths.

How Much Does a 3D Printer Cost in Australia?

Despite the default assumption that such elite tech must carry a lofty price tag, a 3D printer doesn’t have to break the bank. A 3D printer can cost anywhere from as low as AUD $100 to as high as tens of thousands of dollars. That’s because there are personal use and commercial use printers, and their variation of uses continues to diversify.

 

If you’re asking what the typical hobbyist can expect to pay to participate in the hobby comfortably and, frankly, get genuinely beautiful models that satisfy a professional standard, then you can get started with a quality resin 3D printer for as little as around AUD $350, and with an FDM printer for as little as AUD $250.

Blog

How do you cure resin models?

How do you cure resin models?

Resin in its uncured form is toxic. This is why after you remove models from the print bed, you’ll need to cure it (or technically, “post-cure it”, as it has already undergone curing during the printing process). To cure it after printing, you’ll simply need...

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How to Dispose of Resin

How to Dispose of Resin

Resin in its uncured form is toxic. There’s a reason you have to wear gloves when you handle it. That means that unlike with FDM printers, resin 3D printing necessitates responsible waste disposal.  While I’ve put together a guide below, I will add an...

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Resin prints stuck to build plate? Here’s the Fix

Resin prints stuck to build plate? Here’s the Fix

Are your prints adhering to the build platform a little too well? Your issue might be burn-in layer exposure time. Below I'll take you over what that means. I’m going to split this guide into two parts: how to get your prints off when you’ve already botched...

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FEP Film Replacement Guide

FEP Film Replacement Guide

The FEP film is a consumable – and a good rule of thumb is to replace them every 40 or so prints, or whenever there is noticeable scratching, denting or deformation. Otherwise, you run the risk of a puncture letting resin seep onto your LCD screen during a...

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Preview Your 3D Print Files In Folders

Preview Your 3D Print Files In Folders

I searched high and low for the best means to preview a 3D print file prior to opening them up in a slicer such as Lychee or Cura. 3D files can become large and heavy in no time, and this often means loading up a file one at a time into your slicing software...

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