Any tips or advice for a first timer? Using just an A1! Couple questions.
I do not want to commit to a date I can’t hit, can I claim a build and send a message saying build may be 6/7 weeks, 1 printer a young family and full time work with a week out for work means 4/5 weeks will be a push. I can always drop the build if they aren’t happy, they’ve been waiting 30 days already.
Im also UK so a little worried about the hardware to buy wheels etc. So any advice welcome!
One thing I’ve found useful is to customize build plates so they finish at convenient times for my schedule. I typically aim for 20 - 24 hour plates so that they finish the next day when I’m available to start a new print. If I need the print to be done earlier, I’ll remove a few parts from the build plate for shorter print times. If I need it to be done later, I add a few parts to the build plate for longer print times. This lets me utilize the printer basically 24/7.
Yes give yourself time, especially on the first build. There’s a lot to figure out - picking out/ordering filament and hardware, waiting for shipping (I’m in the US and most of my filament has taken over a week for shipping). And of course printing and assembling. And some things will go wrong. I’m working on my 3rd one and there are still challenges, there always are with 3D printing. It is so worth it, though
My first build I was worried I couldn’t complete it or that my printer may not cooperate. I opted to build one and THEN offered it to a family from the list.
First family I reached out to was thrilled to get it!
Have fun and use this forum for any questions. I’ve had great results and such good help from everyone!
Take your time so you don’t get frustrated and HAVE FUN!!
Ditto - I did exactly the same. The first family I accepted, I built them one. Then I accepted a second one while I was building the first families TMT, I showed the second family my complete build just to give them a better idea what could be done and even though they originally wanted totally different colors they said “Can we have that one, it’s beautiful” So I delivered to my second family before my first…lol. Now I’m trying to get in touch with my third family.
If I could give advice it would be this - I’ve had a heck of a time getting in touch with all of the families. So don’t wait until you are totally done to look for your next build. Especially if you need to order filament.
I’m excited to get going. I definitely plan to set all my speeds and profiles, get each plate time and make a plan as you say. I try to do that with my bigger builds so I’m around at the end of the plate to get the next on!
