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[–] kamtsa ago 

3D printing has two aspects, designing and printing. You can design without printing and you can print without designing. In your case it seems that you want to do both.

To print just get a printer. I would go with a one that has LCD screen and SD card and can work standalone, without computer attached. You want to have heated bed (better first layer adhesion), PEI surface is nice, dual extruder is waste of money and hassle, and an open frame printer should be just fine with PLA (the most common and easiest printing material).

As for designing, there are many design packages that work well with Mac/Linux. E.g. Autodesk 123, OpenScad, and Tinkercad.

You will also need a slicing software, your printer may come with one, you can use one of the freebies such as Cura or Slicer, or get a paid one such as Simplify3D. Those slicers work on Mac, not sure about Linux.

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[–] level_101 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Not exactly printer related but check out octo-print. This will let you use a raspberry pi to manage your printer from a web interface. It can be useful. I use it with a MakerSelect v2 from Monoprice (about $300).

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[–] QualityShitposter [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I'll look into that. Thanks!

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[–] level_101 ago  (edited ago)

Its a cool system. You have the option to either manually install it on a "from scratch" install of Rasbian (or other rpi images) or you can use the 'OctoPi" image. If you arent very experienced with Linux I suggest the OctoPi version. It makes mgmt very easy and menu driven.

I have had a lot of success using OctoPi running my printer. I have had several 7+ hour prints turn out about as good as you can expect.

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions, especially if you end up with a MakerSelect. They are really good printers for the cost.

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[–] Octocopter 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago  (edited ago)

https://www.thingiverse.com/ Head there at take a look around to get a head start on ideas.

Its not hard to get printers that work with Linux, hell you can even run one off a pi without much issue. There are programs that can take 3d models and process them into the instruction code or STL data files that the printers run to make the objects.

You might want to look around for some peoples blogs on 3d printing with Linux, but if you run into questions you cant find easy answers for send me a message. (Fair warning its been almost a year since I was involved in the topic)

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[–] QualityShitposter [S] 1 point -1 points (+0|-1) ago 

Thanks. I have some Mac minis laying around that I can dedicate to the task, so either OS X or Linux would be fine (I detest windows so really don't want to go there).

(I haven't touched CAD for close to four years, so information even a year out of date helps)

After a little research, Onshape seems like a nice solution for the CAD end. It's free to use if files are public, and $125/mo per user to keep proprietary files.

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[–] NassTee 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago  (edited ago)

There's a beginner's guide on the reprap wiki. It's a good place to start.

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[–] QualityShitposter [S] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Interesting reading. Thanks.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] QualityShitposter [S] ago 

Great tip. Thanks!

I've bought enough crap tools over the years that I'm happy to pay $200 for a makita drill that harbor freight sells for $30. I like stuff that just works, is quiet, accurate, etc.