Make: Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing

by Mark Frauenfelder (Editor)

The 3D printing revolution is well upon us, with new machines appearing at an amazing rate. With the abundance of information and options out there, how are makers to choose the 3D printer that's right for them? MAKE is here to help, with our Ultimate Guide to 3D Printing. We brought 16 of the top printers to our headquarters and hosted a weekend-long printer shootout staffed by the editors of MAKE and a number of luminaries in the field. We documented out-of-box experiences and subjected the printers to a number of print and torture tests. This issue presents our findings for you in a clear, concise manner.

112 pages, Paperback

First published November 22, 2012

About the author

Editor-in-chief of MAKE magazine. Founder of Boingboing.net.

My books: The Happy Mutant Handbook (1995, Riverhead), a guide to offbeat pop culture. Mad Professor (2003, Chronicle), science experiments for kids. Worlds Worst (2005, Chronicle), a guide to the worst stuff on Earth, The Computer (2005, Carlton books), an illustrated history of computers. Rule the Web (2007, St. Martins), a guide to online tricks and tips. Next book, The World in Your Hands, to be published in 2010 by Penguin,"

Reviews

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, although I didn't realize until I was about 80% of the way through the book that it had been published so long ago. Still, a quick read and a decent way to pick up on some of the basic lingo. 3.5 stars.

[Pat Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many tech-minded folks, we have begun to drool and dream over the thought of printing solid objects. For me, the appeal is getting my hands on new hardware and figuring it out. For my spouse, it's about what type of objects can be printed, and how to translate real-world objects like a ballet-dancer statue or a photo of a perfect flower into a 3-D printer model. This guide answered both our needs with reviews of hardware in depth, lots of examples of model-making and descriptions of how this new field is growing.

What it is not: A step-by-step guide to making a 3-D object using a specific printer. But that's OK, because all we wanted at this point was help deciding whether 3-D printing was even something we wanted to try.

The guide is formatted like a magazine (and looks like one, somewhat), but is well-organized to provide the information you're seeking when you are contemplating which 3-D printer to buy, or looking for a printer that supports your desired material.

Did you know, by the way, that there is a 3-D printer for candy? I do, now.

[John Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great intro to 3d printing with reviews of all of the current machines, beginning level how-to articles on various topics including the software, and some great inspirational pics of the kind of things that you can make with your printer.

[Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good and quick read on the current state of the art on 3d printers for consumers. If you're thinking of getting a 3d printer, want to understand the basics about the SW, the HW and the industry, check this out. Also, it's from Make, so that's always an excellent thing.

[to'c · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jam packed with 3D printing goodness. I found this magazine to offer a great introduction to the process and tools. If you're thinking of getting into the game and know little about it this is an informative introduction.