3d printer buying advice

[HoolyHoo]

If you get a 3D printer, be prepared to tinker. A lot. This goes for the cheapo Chinese printer to the $2000 models. There may be less tinkering at the higher end, but there isn't no tinkering. I like to think of it like teens in the 50's tricking out their hot rods. You buy a product with the expectation that you'll add mods to (and sink money into) your printer to make it uniquely yours. As well as fix problems. My Anet A8 binds on the right z-axis which makes it nearly impossible to level. There are means to fix this, but I haven't tried it yet. Get ready to have to do such things.

yer, thats fine looking forward to it, reviews say it takes around 8hrs to build, or lots of days spread out i like to build things so this will (hopefully) be fun...
also i find it funny i will need to print parts out to improve it! already ordered some fans for it to help print quality.

Welcome down the rabbit hole

[the antithesis]

Also, get some mosfets to reduce the risk of fire. The A8 sends the power for the hot end and heated bed through the motherboard and it really can't handle that amount of current. 3D printers take a long time to print and are often left unattended, so anything to make it safer is a good idea.

[stumpers]

If you get a 3D printer, be prepared to tinker. A lot. This goes for the cheapo Chinese printer to the $2000 models.

This is what I've been worrying about. Without a great deal of free time these days, I don't want to spend more time tinkering than printing. I'm sure I'll end up taking the plunge anyway

[Lpoolm]

just to update the thread, i bought the tevo tarantula.
took a week to deliver from china to uk, took me a weekend to build, but i was building then sitting in the garden enjoying the sun so didnt take as long as expected and could have done it quicker.
however the instructions are shocking! a few pics and does not even show how to assemble? luckily plenty of videos on youtube to use as a guide.
so far i like it, just printing a few parts to improve it then will get printing a few zero parts then maybe a Resonating Chamber from a velociraptor...

[inches]

I was considering the Maker SelectV2: https://www.monoprice.com/pages/3d_printers

It's an I3, but buying from these guys you get unlimited phone service for troubleshooting and service, etc.

[inches]

The select is 15% off with free shipping. I think I'm going to buy one tonight

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=13860