Reply To: print cost SLA vs FDM ?

[sniperbaitParticipant 98xp 1]

I also wonder how much more an SLA figure weighs than an FDM figure. Resin figures are (I think) more dense and also I get them impression that some of the resin will be wasted for all the supports and the stuff that needs to be washed off.

 

I’m also exploring getting a printer, but I’m going for an SLA (Ender 3) to start with as I’m more interested in printing larger pieces of scenery but from what I’ve read, you shouldn’t really think of the individual costs as it’ll take quite some time to make your money back if you are buying it for purely cost saving considering there is the cost of all the consumables (alcohol, ppe etc) any files you buy, uv curing gizmo lamp thing, failed prints. But I guess that would depend on how much you print I guess and if you replicate the same file numerous times or use free files or design your own

 

There are a couple of videos I’ve watched that gives the cost of a 28mm FDM figure at 12 cents and resin at $1 but I couldn’t tell you how old those videos were as the price of resin has fallen massively over the last couple of years as someone pointed out above.

 

Resin & FDM Printing for Miniature Wargaming: A Comparison of Costs and Material Usage

 

 

This link gives a really good cost comparison  and with updated prices for the resin, but in short the author states that a 1/56th bren carrier would cost $1.97 in resin and $0.41 in FDM. He doesn’t say however if the costs of the resin have been recalculated since the prices have dropped.

The costs haven’t been adjusted for the drop in resin prices, but they are around 30% or so less for the resin costs