Code-P West BV / 3dprinter4u.nl/en/
Price as tested $1,688
Print volume 8.6″×8.25″×6.9″
Heated bed? No
Print materials PLA
OS supported Linux, Mac, Windows
Printer control software Pronterface
Slicing software Slic3r
Print untethered? No
Open-source hardware? No
Open-source software? Yes
The Builder is a solid printer from the Netherlands. At roughly $1,688, it isn’t exactly cheap, but you get a lot for your money.
The machine’s print bed is quite large, 8.6″×8.25″×6.9″. It can print layers as fine as 100 microns, and does so with impressive speed. The extruder is solid as well; we didn’t experience any problems with it throughout the entire testing period.
One caveat: The bed sits directly on four adjustable bolts, making for easy leveling, but can cause damage to the nozzle if you bring it too high — this is where having a spring-loaded bed would be beneficial.
Aesthetically, this thing is gorgeous. The powder-coated steel frame protects the important bits and gives the Builder a polished look that you don’t often find among machines in this price range.
The documentation provided is comprehensive. The PDF manual walks you through unboxing, software/driver installation, and preparing a model for your first print. And the company includes sample G-code as well as Slic3r settings, although we were disappointed to find that they included screenshots of the settings instead of a simple INI profile for importing directly into the software.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the Builder. I walked into the review knowing nothing about the machine and exited thinking it would be right at home on the workbench of an artist, engineer, or aspiring maker.
Primo features
- Fast print speeds
- Large build area
- Metal frame for sturdiness
- Easy-to-remove build platform
Pro Tips
- Use simple blue painter’s tape on the bed, as PLA adheres to it better than the supplied brown tape.
This review first appeared in MAKE’s Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing 2014. Check out the full issue for more!
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