I am seriously thinking of getting a resin 3D printer.  I have a filament one coming which is going to be great for certain things.  However, I am noticing more and more that there are files available for a resin 3D printer to make detail parts for the plastic models.  Since I am a rank beginner what types/brands etc would those who are in the know recommend?  I am starting to see reviews and such and some I see a good review but then see some negative reviews that say they don't last long before something breaks.  What has been your experience for those with experience?  What do I look for?  I do think I need something of at least a moderate size.  Think 1/25 car body size print area.

Matt
I don't know anything about resin printers. I tried making small parts for 1:25 scale models with no luck.
I got off of facebook but I'm sure groups might have some answers. I use YouTube a lot for reviews and technical stuff.
I would be interested in what you settle on and the parts you can print for plastic models.

Quote from: Paul Taylor on October 16, 2025, 06:14:45 AM
Matt
I don't know anything about resin printers. I tried making small parts for 1:25 scale models with no luck.
I got off of facebook but I'm sure groups might have some answers. I use YouTube a lot for reviews and technical stuff.
I would be interested in what you settle on and the parts you can print for plastic models.

There are several places that I have seen that have files that you can buy for peanuts or even free.  This includes detail parts and sometimes even complete kits.  I saw a review for a plastic model where you could use the cockpit parts supplied or use your phone and scan the code and then download a file for the high up detail parts for you to print yourself.  This kit even had some vents already 3D printed for accuracy and detail.  So I am getting really interested in pursuing this.

Normal 3d printers with filament can't get the detail needed.  But resin can.

Quote from: Paul Taylor on October 16, 2025, 06:14:45 AM
Matt
I don't know anything about resin printers. I tried making small parts for 1:25 scale models with no luck.
I got off of facebook but I'm sure groups might have some answers. I use YouTube a lot for reviews and technical stuff.
I would be interested in what you settle on and the parts you can print for plastic models.

Paul, yesterday I ordered an Elegoo Saturn 4 ultra 16K printer from Elegoo themselves.  They are doing a black Friday sales every Friday from now until December. I chose that one because it routinely came up as one of the best especially for beginners.  There is a 12K version but for the price difference the 16K is the way to go.  One place only had two things against it.  One is it does not have a handle on the lid.  No big deal and the other was at the time of release it seems to have some software bugs.  BUT it is hooked up to the internet and guess what?  You get updates.  The first thing that will happen once it is hooked up is it will update itself so I don't see the software bugs to be much of a problem for long and most likely are fixed for the most part by now.  The 16K has a self leveling feature that the 12K does not along with a heated vat to keep the resin at the best temperature when printing.  The 12K does not.  I read that the biggest issue with the 12K is keeping the resin at the right temperature for large builds.  The 16K solved that with the heated vat.  The build size is big enough that you can easily print a typical 1/24 scale car body in it without an issue.  Sound strange to use that as a benchmark since I primarily build planes but I do build cars once in awhile and I like the unusual which can only be done with 3D printed stuff because of the low volume of production.  As for what you can print with it, there are several places where you can download files for engines, radial or liquid cooled.  You can also print upgrade kits for cockpits, wheel wells, wheels and such.  So say the kit lacks a little in detail, you can just print off your own detail set.  These I feel are going to take the place of resin upgrade parts and maybe even photo etch parts.  There was one kit that I read a review on.  The kit did come with a cockpit.  Fairly plain.  But you can scan a code and download a file so you can print your own upgrade kit if you wish.  I can see the plastic model industry go this direction.  And yes, there are complete car kit files out there as well. 

A bit lengthy but this is what I found out and I am doing with the resin printer.  I am working on getting a filament style printer as well so I can print flying plane parts as well like spinners and such. 

Here is a link for some of the files for cars.  You can see what is available.

https://cults3d.com/en/users/BlackBox/3d-models?srsltid=AfmBOoq9NqL5M00t2WA55xQM1Vmpz5z5XinlWFUsQCf7INMDjCrUMF7y

Quote from: Matt Neumann on October 25, 2025, 04:50:19 AM
  I am working on getting a filament style printer as well so I can print flying plane parts as well like spinners and such. 

Look into the engineering resins. There are a few that you can now resin print parts like spinners and such with as much strength as an fdm printer but with a much nicer finish.

Quote from: Bud Morrison on October 25, 2025, 06:56:39 AM
Look into the engineering resins. There are a few that you can now resin print parts like spinners and such with as much strength as an fdm printer but with a much nicer finish.

I will check into that.