Dremel 3D20 Idea Builder

I've used a lot of different desktop 3D printers, assembled some professionally, and used a few Dremel 3D20s so I knew what I was getting into when I bought my printer. It's a good value and if you want to print PLA day and night, this is your printer. I've never had a jam or clog with this machine, ever (knock on wood). I printed out a mod for the extruder, so now I can print flexible material just as easily.

The Dremel build surface is like BuildTak and works very well. The bed is easily removable. I bought a second bed, so I can keep on printing, while I'm removing a print. It's pretty quiet. Print quality is very good and squishing the first layer a bit leaves a smooth bottom layer. What I like best about this printer is that it's reliable.

The downside... The desktop software isn't the best, but it works great with Simplify3D. Bed leveling can be a little annoying and the acrylic beds aren't perfectly flat, I find are a little high in the center.

Note: The CF card attached to the main board always gets unseated when this model printer ships. You'll have to get to the main board, take out the CF cards, remove the hot glue they use to secure the card in the port (I know, crazy) and pop it back in. Should work fine after that.

Overall a great printer and I'm very happy with it.

so the dremel idea maker is my first 3d printer so i dont have a vast wealth of knowledge to compare it to. so i opted for this model of the 2 other 3d printers that argos was offering it was more expensive but dremel make great multi tools so i figured it was better to go with a brand i knew of. i was literally printing out of the box within 5 minets the set up was very easy just adjusting the highest three points at was all very self explanatory. it comes with some pre programmed shapes so just selected and away you go. a couple of things to remember the slicing software from dremel exports as there own type of file not an stl file but you can import an stl and once its sliced it exports at there file, i invested in simplify 3d, the main reason for this is that the dremel software is very simple and doesn't give you an option to add support structure which simplify3d does and it exports files in both stl and dremel files. finaly i also had issues with things sticking to the bed (they didnt) i added a sticky sheet which you get a couple of with the printer but things just kept popping off, i uses glue sticks but didnt make much differnace now i use carpet tape !  nothing moves and every print comes out now matter how skinny and tall the object is. it may take a little time to clean the tape off the print plate (i use a sticky stuff remover cleaning liquid which takes it off in seconds) but i rather spend 5 minuets cleaning off a bed than having several hours of prints ruined. all in all i think its a great machine and after talking to people who own different makes of printer I'm vey happy with how little trouble i have with this machine   

This printer is a good start for beginners.

My only advice if you wanna purchase this 3dprinter: Buy simplify3D  The dremel software is really bad... 

I'm talking about a second-hand printer (300h print ) repaired by me with parts coming out of service in 10 days. The components are dedicated and I preferred to exchange with the original. Everything was 30% more expensive than any compatible one. If anyone needs details they can do a more complete tutorial. If he had hotbed and self-calibration would be very good. As 3D design software I work with SolidWorks exporting in .stl format. I am from Romania.

Old at this point but the price has dropped and it has sales frequently! Very easy to use and fairly consistent. No heated bed and the acrylic plate is not always cooperative. If your model wont stick, wipe it down with a micro fiber cloth and be careful of your finger oils! I really enjoy it but think there are probably better buys considering it's age! The slicing software is not as bad as others imply however it is proprietary AF. Simply3D does function with it though so options options!

OH and generic filament wont alllways fit but generally will. Just beware!

The Dremel 3D20 only supports the .3drem file format, witch limits the software products that can be used with it.

The build platform needs to be covered in their build tape to protect the plastic build surface, and provide a surface that the melted plastic will adhere to. The build tape  is expensive, can only be reused a few times, and does not work well. After having it cause several build failures, I began looking for alternatives. Painter's tape and plastic food wrap both had issues, but were better than Dremel's build tape. 

Several builds just stopped half way through. The printer would be working just fine. Then it would reboot without any error message or explanation.

All in all, the Dremel 3D20 could be a great entry-level printer. But, there are some problems for Dremel  to work out first.

Bosch the holder of the Dremel company is very good with replacements parts. The price is higher than you expect but you get a quite good performance. You may need to buy a slicer to improve your possibilities.

It's pretty, easy to use, works like dremel does, reliable and I really like it

For a newbie into 3d print, it's a good start, this one was made for education purposes, if you plan to use for specific or more techs project : pass your way, i'll try to go deeper with slicer like cura and craftware to build support, but it dosen't make it everytime.

Thank you for making this model free to download!

This will be my friend's birthday present!