Source
r/3Dprinting•
Jason_OT

Maker Select or MP Select Mini?

Discussion

Which of the two Monoprice branded printers should I buy?

First time buying a 3D printer, trying to not break the bank, but I'm concerned the MP Mini's build volume is just too small.

At the same time, it seems like the Mini is a lot easier to get running consistently than the Maker Select. I'm an engineer working in robotics, so making electrical or mechanical adjustments is totally in my wheelhouse, I just don't want to be doing it all the time.

I just keep thinking it's a catch-22. If I get the Mini, I'll kick myself for not spending the cash to get the bigger platform. If I get the Maker Select, I'll kick myself for spending the cash trying to get it dialed in.

So what's the verdict? Save $150, get a smaller build volume, save a bunch of headache and frustration? Or just spend the $150, get the build volume, and keeping the Maker Select dialed in isn't that much worse than the Mini?

Posted Aug 20, 2016, 12:44 AM UTC

18
sadkins1981•

I have a maker select, Most of what I print wouldn't fit on the mini..

So what do you see yourself printing? Figure that out, then you'll know which one to get.

Edit: And honestly, you don't have to spend very much more to get good prints out of the maker select. There's only a couple "Required" mods (z brace, cooling fan), which only cost a few dollars in nuts and threaded rod.

2
DFrostedWangsAccount•

"A few dollars" isn't really accurate. The nuts and threaded rod came up to about $10 at lowes and the plastic for just the printed parts is a good $5 at least.

And for the fan upgrade it's about $5-10 for a new fan.

Of course, neither are what I'd consider required. The printer works fine for me without them, I just want better prints. :)

1
teddyzaperMonoprice Maker Select•

I would also argue that a glass bed is necessary for some people, my bed came warped so i couldnt print anything of decent size without it not sticking.

I'd say about $30 in mods

1
sadkins1981•

I didn't literally mean few as in $3, I meant relatively few compared to the price of the printer.

If $30 is make or break... This probably isn't a great hobby to get into. You'll easily be spending $50 / month in filament.

1
norapeformethankyou•

Personally, I have a maker select and my usual prints are smaller then the mini can print. Granted, that's me and I don't know what your going to print. All I can say is I don't regret my buy of the maker select. It can drive me up the wall, but I love it.

1
xDorito•

I'd get the Mini, and if you feel the need for a larger printer there may be some other excellent cheap options in the future that you can upgrade to. Heck the cheap knock off i3 kits are only running $99 on eBay these days, the race to the bottom is in full, swing.

1
wan314•

I went for the mini. Not too sure if I'll even like 3D printing, designing my own things and slicing. Don't know if I'll like tinkering on 3D printers. Mini gets me in with minimal effort. Still some improvements like the fan vent. Figure it'll be enough to learn to get to print the basics.

If I decide i want more I'll buy the select or make you own. I can then give the mini to my son when he goes off to college.

1
Hunter62610•

Judging from the other comments, you might consider the Tevo Tarantula. Cool looking printer kit. (if you build a kit you get more bang for your buck, and seeing that up have a robotics background.... Might be fun)

I have never heard anyone bash that printer, but it's cheap for a reason. Expect to tinker with it a fair amount. Makerfarm 8 inch is also quite liked.

1