I’m interested in trying to build a Snappy v3
I’ve built several printers from the original RepRap to a Wilson II and a Deltabot. Some of those plans are probably getting on in age. There was a time you couldn’t buy a printer for the cost of building a reprap; those days are long gone. An Ender or similiar are so cheap and good now, it’s hard to build one of similiar quality. But if you’re just looking for a project, fill your boots.
I’m mostly interested in the novelty of a printed printer, it seems like a fun project. I’m all ears for recommendations of more modern or good starter RepRap designs though!
How about a 3D-printer that prints its own z-axis?
Any particular reason? That’s a 10 (ish) year old design. Outside of nostalgia or deliberately checking out designs from that era, I see very little reason to pick this as a project.
No particular reason. I am most interested in a project with a high proportion of printed material to purchased material, but I don’t know the best way to find a modern design like that. Do you have any recommendations?
I think the typical recommendation would be “the 100” (Link to GitHub). There are a few other projects like it. I think that should be a good starting point for a search though if that particular one is not your cup of tea.
We’re in the age of easily accessible, great quality hardware though. Just from a performance point, 3d printing will be worse in most respects comparatively (still “good enough” though if using a modem design). Look at a Voron V0 kit as an example (or one of the other printers for ants, if you’re looking for more complexity). Uses nothing but readily accessible parts, reasonably priced and incredible performance.
I’m interested to hear how it turns out!
It will be a lot of fun, but not a great printer. If you do it for the experience, do it. But you could also go for a prusa i3, maybe with a bear frame. Find some nice electronics instead of a ramps and add a Raspberry for klipper.