Getting started with the Ender 3 Pro, by Creality

I have nine 3D printers in total. Seven of those printers are FDM printers made by Creality. There are several different type of 3D printers, but for the beginner an FDM printer is likely the best.

FDM stands for Fused Deposition Modeling. These printers build items layer by layer from the base. A thermoplastic filament is run through a heated nozzle, as the filament is heated it becomes less solid and can be put onto the surface of the printer(build plate). The nozzle is moved above the build plate, layer by layer, until the model is completed, from the bottom up. Now that you know some basics, what machine should you start with?

My printing journey started with the Ender 3 Pro by Creality. This printer is great for a beginner, it’s not too big, not too expensive, and is pretty easy to repair. The initial setup will take some time, about one to two hours max, but it comes with clear, easy to understand instructions.

Why start 3D printing?

It’s the end of Winter- start of Spring, 2020. All around you you hear about this new and mysterious virus. Of course, you need to stay inside, away from potential disease vectors. Carriers of the new plague. But what are you gonna do while you’re all cooped up? While sitting around for the first few minutes of this new crisis, something came to me in a vision, “make stuff” a voice cried out to me, and my 3D printing journey began.

No joke – my 3D printing journey began because of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, I was living in Asia working remotely, living my best life as a digital nomad. However, even before I embarked on that life, I had been interested in 3D printing, since about 2013 in fact. So why did I do this? It’s simple. I wanted to. I wanted to start making things, so I did. You can to.

If you want to start 3D printing: making your own models, toys, inventions – do it. The longer you wait to start the journey, the less likely you are to begin. Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t let your hang-ups stop you:

1. It’s cheap( sort of). You can buy a new, decent 3D printer for under $150. You can buy a variety of filaments, some of very good quality for less than $20.
2. Gain new skills. When you start 3D printing, depending on the model you buy, you will have to learn to put it together. You will become more mechanically aware. In addition to new mechanical understanding, you’ll learn the ins and outs of making 3D models – what temperatures to print at, what speeds to use, how much in-fill the model should use. You will also become a 3D printer mechanic(if you want your printer to keep running).
3. It’s fun. Even though mechanical failures can be time consuming, it’s fun to print out products you use or sell. People also love asking questions about it when they see it.

There’s no better time to start 3D printing than now. There are some awesome benefits. If you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask me.