I believe that 3D Printing will be a very valuable skill in the near future. We have seen that supply chains can break down, and it could happen again.
If that does happen, having 3D printing skills will allow you to make your own parts or everyday items.
Here are all of the best resources that we have come across for equipment and software.
This will help you get started right now, and develop your skills quickly.
If you're just starting out, this is the way to go. The Ender 3 is very capable and inexpensive.
There are a few different variations out there, but they are all pretty similar, so just buy the one that you can afford.
See the different Ender 3 models here.
Computer Aided Design (CAD) is what is used to design the things you want to make.
It might seem complex in the beginning, but once you get the hang of it, you can create almost anything you want. You don't have to be an engineer.
Just watch a few YouTube tutorials and can start creating some simple objects.
OnShape is easy to use and they have a free plan.
The downside of the free plan is that your projects will be publicly available for free.
But if you just want to learn the software and make a few simple projects, this is perfect.
…and people usually won't know what your project is anyway.
Slicing software takes the design that you created in the CAD software and builds it so it works on your specific printer. You can also change settings like how much fill is used and how thick you want each layer.
There are a few free solutions out there, but the one I like best is Ultimaker Cura. It's easy to use and helps you fine tune your printing project.