3D printers: Asking the group for their current recommendations on 3D printers....

I can tell you about my experience and what I learn in few year of use of these printers. I started several years ago with a Robo 3D R1 printer then I got another one A10 Geeetech. Both machine work fine for PLA but ABS is a big pain, for me. The material warping while is cooling, so you need to have an enclosure to maintain the temperature of the print. I normally use PLA material for most of my projects, however PLA doesn't like hot temperature. I printed parts for the car that with the hot temperature, during the summer day, got deformed. So, it all depends what you'll print, durable parts (ABS) or not extreme durable (PLA). One important thing for me is the hotplate size of the printer, larger plate will give you more flexibility obviously, then you can thing about how many colours you'll use in your printing and you can look into how may extrudes (hot end) you want on your printer 1-3, I use 1 and then i paint the parts later.
If you just starting with 3D printing there are many videos and tutorials on YouTube, I can recommend Maker's Muse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2NEk5f6icg&list=PLTCCNNvHC8PDR... .
Creality or Prusa are for me at the top hobby type printers but it's all about the money and you can get even a more expensive tool.

The SW is also important, I used Cura that works with many different printers and it keeps getting better with additional fine tune options that can help with the final result for your prints. I use SketchUP and Blender for the design and after creating an STL file format, Cura take care of the rest and Slice the design into the G-code that the printer understand.

If you're looking to make some very fine details printing, you may want to consider Resin 3D printing that seems getting more popular for small parts, but I'm not in that area, yet, so I can't be too much help for that.

Massimo, thank you for the detailed response, I really appreciate it. I’ll research Marker’s Muse and thank you again for the links.

Do you have a general size of the parts you will be printing?

Evan, I would say nothing that would print outside of 6”x6”x6”. I’m thinking of making some inside door panels initially, but want a system I likely won’t outgrow soon. I’m halfway thru a 429 build.

Fact no1... all printers will need adjustment to print good (or great).
Fact No2 ... parts of printers fail... don't get discouraged... just find the prolem, replace the part and continue
Fact No3 ... there is a learning curve to this but once you get over the first few hickups it is great fun.

I own two printers... Resin for fine scale details and FDM for structural parts. They both have their advantages for the parts and I use both for the specific purpose.

I also opted to take both from the same manufacturer ... Not sure if this is a plus or a minus but when I order filaments and resin... it is a one shop stop.

Fusion 360 will produce print files for both (.slt) and then I use different slicers to produce the files needed for print itself.
As Evan already stated the size of the print objects is a decisive factor in choosing the correct printer. I like my stuff big, so I opted for big print volume on both...

I hope this helps a little

Good Hunting: Thanks. I am not opposed of getting both resin and FDM. I suspect the learning curve will be similar to my CNC mill, yet different. What manufacture did you buy?

I got the Anycubic printers...
Mega X for FDM with 300 x 300 x 305 mm print volume (quite enough to print the larger parts for the structural support (may take some pictures later)...
And Photon M3 plus for the resin prints with 245 x 197 x 122 mm ( 9.6 x 7.8 x 4.8 inches) print volume. This is where I got it wrong in the first place. I got the first Photon printer but with the 115mm *65mm *155mm (4.52″*2.56″*6.1″) build volume it was too small to print stuff like pilot seats and cockpits. I did manage to sell it and recuperate some of the cost...

Resin prints are special... as you need to wash the print and then cure it before use. I used to do it the old fashion way with the alcohol and then I was waiting for the sun to shine... until I got the wash and cure station from the same brand and now, I'm ok. If you live in the location with sufficient sunlight, you can get away without this, but I am currently stuck in the country with more rain than sun...
I also use the water based resin which helps a lot as there is almost no unwanted smell in the garage...

FWIW, these two video reviews have narrowed my choices. They are long however are reviewed by commercial users. Other than these, there are SO many great choices. It appears it is like all electronics, something new every year.

Prusa and Bambo Labs

https://youtu.be/xsNna_Zof6Y?si=BBDbwzum6ntrWrxp

https://youtu.be/vb0LOpCo454