Make: Volume 60 – Ultimate Guide to Desktop Fabrication

The results are in for our 6th annual Desktop Digital Fabrication Shoot Out! Make: Volume 60 has more than 30 reviews that show off the latest and greatest FDM and resin 3D printers, CNC machines, laser cutters, and vinyl cutters, including new machines from Ultimaker, Prusa, Lulzbot, ShopBot, and Glowforge. Also, learn about our revamped 3D printer scoring system!

  • Get the latest reviews of 3D printers and CNC devices
  • Add graphics to your prints using hydrographic film
  • Why you should buy a laser cutter over a 3D printer
  • How to design dual color models for multi-material prints
  • Laser cut a map of the stars

    And more!

On The Cover: Dragon: MakerBot, remixed for multicolor by Mosaic, Droplet Vase: Vcrettenand Zortrax Voronoi Sphere: ZRAFT, Moon City design: Jukka Seppänen

Table of Contents

COLUMNS

Reader Input

Cosplay, pizza ovens, and sourcing supplies.Page 06

Made on Earth

Backyard builds from around the globe.Page 08

FEATURES

A Fab Family

Building a big CNC router together can give long-lasting rewards.Page 16

Function Over Form

Practical prints for when you’re tired of Yoda busts. Page 20

The Kids Are Alright

Inspiring kids through maker businesses.Page 22

Heavy Industry

Professional 3D printers make serious parts. Page 24

Maker ProFile

Danielle Applestone talks acquisition and rebranding Other Machine Co. Page 26

MACHINE REVIEWS

The Fine Print

How we evaluated this year’s crop of machines.Page 28

FFF Reviews:

RAISE3D N2, PRUSA i3 MK2S, PRUSA i3 MK2/S MM, PRUSA i3 MK3, PRINTRBOT SIMPLE PRO, FELIX 3.1, HACKER H2, ULTIMAKER 3, FELIX PRO 2, CRAFTBOT XL, MAKERGEAR M3, DREMEL 3D45, MONOPRICE SELECT MINI V2, TAZ 6, ZORTRAX M300, LULZBOT MINI, PRINTRBOT SMALLS, VERTEX NANO, and MAKEIT PRO-L Page 32

SLA Reviews:

XFAB, DUPLICATOR 7, and MOA.Page 46

CNC Reviews:

BENCHTOP PRO, ASTEROID, MILL ONE KIT V2, HANDIBOT 2, and HIGH-Z S400T.Page 48

Laser Cutter Reviews:

GLOWFORGE BASIC and MUSE.Page 52

Hybrid Review:

STEPCRAFT 2/840 Page 53

Vinyl Cutter Reviews:

TITAN 2, CURIO, and SCANNCUT2 CM350.Page 54

Ones to Watch

These innovative machines show great promise.Page 56

By the Numbers

Compare machines specs in a few simple charts.Page 58

TIPS

A Bright Future

Combining multiple materials brings a new dimension to 3D printing.Page 62

Pick Your Nozzle

Use custom hot ends with specialty filaments.Page 64

The Mane Attraction

Print models with hair.Page 66

Faithful Fuser

Weld parts and more with a 3D printing pen.Page 67

Calculated Cutting

5 key elements to keep in mind for laser cut designs.Page 68

Cut to the Chase

Why you should buy a laser cutter before a 3D printer.Page 70

Engraver Enhancements

Pump up your budget laser with these tips and add-ons. Page 71

Copy in Paste

Liquid printing offers many unique applications.Page 72

Pimp My Printer

Take your dirt-cheap device from ho-hum to hot rod.Page 74

Up Your Game

Give your old machine new life with one of these upgrades. Page 75

PROJECTS

It’s in the Stars

Cut and light a model of the sky from your special night.Page 76

It’s a Wrap

Hydro dipping makes your print pop with graphics. Page 79

Little Laser Show

Create cool images with this 3D printed, hand-cranked device.Page 83

iPad Teleprompter

3D print a handy display.Page 84

SKILL BUILDER

Make Your Case

Prototyping adventures in CNC routing, SLA, FFF printing, and laser cutting.Page 86

The Perfect Fit

Apply digital joinery for better parts assembly.Page 90

Cold Casting Techniques

Make authentic looking metallic figures.Page 92

SHOW & TELL

Show & Tell

Check out the standouts from our “Worst Cup Ever” challenge.Page 96