3D printing for teenager interested in design

[Steve Campbell]

Hi folks
My 13 year old has some money burning a hole in his pocket from Xmas and birthdays and he's keen on getting a 3D printer. He has used them at school in design and loves using the 3D design software aswell as using the 3D printer to realise his design.

He has come up with this one below as the one he'd like to get as it's within his price range and he also likes the idea of putting it together aswell.

Anet A8
http://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kit...

Can anyone comment on whether this is a good buy / 3D printer ? Anyone used gearbest.....are they reputable. I have no clue on this technology so looking for some feedback that it's reputable supplier and he isn't wasting his cash on that printer !

Thanks

[Steve Campbell]

Many thanks. At that price point, I'm not expecting much....I think he is :-)

It would be a good project for him I think, & saves him spending it on PS4 games !! I guess it's one step up from Lego Technics !!

He's already done one design that he gave to a friend to print out on his 3d printer so it seems he's pretty serious..........however, I just spotted that it seems to support Windows XP / Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Mac / Linux & NOT Windows 10. Anyone know whether there is therefore likely to be a problem trying to run it from Windows 10 PC ?

I guess he can create the 3D design on the PC and drop it onto an SD card for printing ?

Edited by Steve Campbell on Wednesday 26th April 19:54

[Steve Campbell]

rich888 said:

Could I ask what software your lad is using because I invested in SolidWorks which has proved to be a very useful tool.

He's using Autodesk Inventor as they use it in school and he can get a free copy as a student.