3D printing & making
Practical guides to 3D printing, filaments, print settings, CNC, laser cutting, electronics and manufacturing.
Essential reading
If you read nothing else, read these. Each one links out to deeper, more specific answers.
Start here · Essential guide
3D printing and additive manufacturing overlap heavily. Learn how the terms are used, where the distinction matters, and how each relates to prototyping and machining.
What infill percentage gives the best strength for 3D prints? Typical ranges by use case, why walls matter more, and how to test settings for your part.
PETG vs nylon compared for 3D printing: strength, wear, warping, moisture, temperature and cost, plus which filament suits brackets, gears and enclosures.
Compare the impact strength of common plastics, learn how Izod and Charpy tests work, and see why notches, cold and print orientation change real-world results.
A balanced look at CNC machine benefits, from precision and repeatability to complex shapes, plus the real limits, costs, and how CNC compares with 3D printing.
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Basics, settings, filaments and plastics.
CNC, laser, manufacturing and woodworking.
Electronics projects and circuit boards.