An update to our comprehensive list of our hands on equipment, software and material reviews.
We do a great deal of testing at Fabbaloo, and some weeks we seem to be doing equipment testing and nothing else. There have been times when we’ve been testing up to six items simultaneously, which is in retrospect, not a good plan.
Nevertheless, we do manage to publish our reviews, some of which are quite lengthy. We’re happy to do them, but we’re not certain you know all of what we’ve done.
Two years ago I put together a very lengthy meta-post listing of all of our review, all the way back to our first review in 2010, twelve years ago. The post allows readers to very quickly find a review, if we’ve made one.
Since the publication of that post in 2020 we’ve done quite a few more reviews, and I believe it is time to update the post. In fact, there are almost 30 new reviews, and I’m just realizing this means we are doing a more than one review per month over the past two years. In total we have about 100 unique product and service reviews, many of which are in multiple parts.
This post includes links to ALL of our hands on reviews from 2010 to today, November 2022. We’ll try to publish another update in the future when we’ve done more reviews. For now, use your browser to search for the machines you’re interested in reading about below.
3D Printers
The PP3DP Up! was the first review we ever published, way back in 2010. This device is no longer available, and has long been superceded by other machines.
Hands On With The PP3DP Up! 3D Printer
The venerable BFB 3000 was the device that eventually morphed into the 3D Systems Cube, after the company acquired BFB.
Hands On With The BFB 3000: Unboxing And Setup
Hands On With The BFB 3000: Operation
Hands On With The BFB 3000: Software
The MakiBOX was an early and primitive desktop 3D printer that unfortunately failed after a crowdfunding campaign.
The Ultimaker 2 Extended was Ultimaker’s first venture into larger-volume 3D printers. It’s still a great device today.
Hands On With The Ultimaker 2 Extended: Unboxing And Setup
Hands On With The Ultimaker 2 Extended: Software
Hands On With The Ultimaker 2 Extended: Operations
Hands On With The Ultimaker 2 Extended: Materials And Conclusion
Sindoh’s first desktop 3D printer changed the landscape as they brought forward easy-to-use control panels for the first time, based on their extensive experience building photocopier machines.
Hands On With The 3Dwox 3D Printer Part 1: The First Real 3DP For Consumers?
Hands On With The 3Dwox 3D Printer Part 2: The First Real 3DP For Consumers?
Hands On With The 3Dwox 3D Printer Part 3: The First Real 3DP For Consumers?
The Replicator+ was MakerBot’s last open-air desktop 3D printer. While it includes a lot of heritage design from previous generations, it also included a new Smart Extruder.
Hands On With The Replicator+: Part One, Setup
Hands On With The Replicator+: Part Two, Software
Hands On With The Replicator+: Part Three, Operations
The Form 2 was Formlabs’ breakout machine. It was the first to appear after their initial relatively rudimentary device, and included a vast array of improvements to every aspect of the machine. Still a great performer.
Hands On With The Form 2 Desktop 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands On With The Form 2 Desktop 3D Printer, Part 2
The Prusa i3 line of desktop 3D printers is perhaps the most well-known in the world today; this was their MK2 machine.
Hands On With The Original Prusa I3 Desktop 3D Printer
XYZprinting’s Da Vinci Jr. 2.0 Mix was an unusual machine that attempted to 3D print objects in multiple colors.
Hands On With The Da Vinci Jr. 2.0 Mix, Part 1
Hands On With The Da Vinci Jr. 2.0 Mix, Part 2
The Creality CR-10 was perhaps the breakout device for the now-large Asian 3D printer manufacturer. This is the “S” version.
Hands On With The Creality CR-10S, Part 1
Hands On With The Creality CR-10S, Part 2
Sindoh followed up their initial success with the 3DWOX 1, a vastly capable device that allowed the use of any filament material.
Hands On With The Sindoh 3DWOX 1, Part 1
Hands On With The Sindoh 3DWOX 1, Part 2
An unusual partnership between BIQU and MyMiniFactory allowed direct 3D printing of 3D models from the online repository.
Hands On With The BIQU Thunder And The MyMiniFactory App Part 1
Hands On With The BIQU Thunder And The MyMiniFactory App Part 2
Hands On With The BIQU Thunder And The MyMiniFactory App Part 3
KODAK’s first proper desktop 3D printer, the KODAK Portrait, is able to 3D print a wide variety of materials using its dual extruder configuration.
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Unboxing And Setup
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Basic Operations
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Advanced Operations
Hands On With The Kodak Portrait 3D Printer: Final Thoughts
The ANET ET4 is a low-cost 3D printer that was one of the first to use “silent” stepper drivers.
Hands On With The ANET ET4 3D Printer: Part 1
Hands On With The ANET ET4 3D Printer: Part 2
Hands On With The ANET ET4 3D Printer: Part 3
The ANET N4 is a low-cost resin 3D printer capable of 3D printing in relatively high resolution.
Hands On With The ANET N4 LCD 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands On With The ANET N4 LCD 3D Printer, Part 2
The Prusa MINI 3D printer is a re-engineered lower-cost version of the Prusa system that indeed provides excellent print quality.
Hands On With The Prusa MINI 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands On With The Prusa MINI 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands On With The Prusa MINI 3D Printer, Part 3
The Form 3 is Formlabs’ current flagship 3D printer, and it certainly deserves that role.
Hands On With The Formlabs Form 3, Part 1
Hands On With The Formlabs Form 3, Part 2
The Creality LD-006 is a relatively large desktop resin 3D printer.
Hands on with the Creality LD-006, Part 1
Hands on with the Creality LD-006, Part 2
Hands on with the Creality LD-006, Part 3
The Anycubic Vyper is a very good desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic Vyper 3D Printer, Part 3
The Voxelab Aquila X2 is a good desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Voxelab Aquila X2 Desktop 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Voxelab Aquila X2 Desktop 3D Printer, Part 2
The HALOT-ONE is a small but powerful desktop resin 3D printing system.
Hands on with the HALOT-ONE 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the HALOT-ONE 3D Printer, Part 2
The Voxelab Aries is a competent desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Voxelab Aries 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Voxelab Aries 3D Printer, Part 2
The Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K is a high resolution resin 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon Mono X 6K 3D Printer, Part 3
The Voxelab Aquila S2 is a FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Voxelab Aquila S2 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Voxelab Aquila S2 3D Printer, Part 2
The Creality Sermoon V1 Pro is an unusual enclosed desktop FFF 3D printer designed for educators.
Hands on with the Creality Sermoon V1 Pro 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Creality Sermoon V1 Pro 3D Printer, Part 2
The Anycubic Kobra is a basic desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Desktop 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Desktop 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Desktop 3D Printer, Part 3
The Anycubic Photon M3 is a medium-sized desktop resin 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon M3 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon M3 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic Photon M3 3D Printer, Part 3
The Anycubic M3 Plus is a more advanced desktop resin 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic M3 Plus 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic M3 Plus 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic M3 Plus 3D Printer, Part 3
The Creality Ender-3 S1 is a more advanced version of the Ender-3 series.
Hands on with the Creality Ender-3 S1, Part 1
Hands on with the Creality Ender-3 S1, Part 2
Hands on with the Creality Ender-3 S1, Part 3
The Pantheon HS3 is an industrial high speed carbon fiber 3D printer.
Hands on with the Pantheon HS3 High Speed 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Pantheon HS3 High Speed 3D Printer, Part 2
The Anycubic Kobra Plus is a more advanced desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Plus 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Plus 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic Kobra Plus 3D Printer, Part 3
The Mingda Magician X is a good desktop FFF 3D printer.
Hands on with the Mingda Magician X 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Mingda Magician X 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Mingda Magician X 3D Printer, Part 3
The Anycubic D2 DLP 3D printer is a small, but extremely high resolution resin 3D printer.
Hands on with the Anycubic D2 DLP 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Anycubic D2 DLP 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Anycubic D2 DLP 3D Printer, Part 3
The SOVOL SV01 Pro 3D Printer is a good desktop 3D printer.
Hands on with the SOVOL SV01 3D Printer, Part 1
Hands on with the SOVOL SV01 3D Printer, Part 2
Hands on with the SOVOL SV01 3D Printer, Part 3
The Kingroon KP5L is a large and competent desktop 3D printer.
Hands on with the Kingroon KP5L 3D printer, Part 1
Hands on with the Kingroon KP5L 3D printer, Part 2
Hands on with the Kingroon KP5L 3D printer, Part 3
The Anycubic Kobra Go is a very inexpensive yet powerful 3D printer kit.
Hands on with a $189 3D Printer, The Anycubic Kobra, Part 1
Hands on with a $189 3D Printer, The Anycubic Kobra, Part 2
Hands on with a $189 3D Printer, The Anycubic Kobra, Part 3
3D Hardware & Accessories
The Finishing Touch was a special device from Stratasys to smooth ABS 3D prints using vapor.
Hands On With The FinishingTouch Smoothing Station
The GeoMagic Touch is a haptic controller for 3D design.
Hands On With The Geomagic Touch
The Spectrom color system was an early attempt at automatically changing filaments on a single extruder 3D printer.
Hands On With Spectrom’s Color System
The XTC-3D system is an epoxy mix that can, when applied like paint, smooth the surfaces of layered 3D prints.
Hands On With The XTC-3D Smoothing System
3DConnexion’s SpaceMouse Pro is one of their 3D mouse units. Highly recommended for 3D design tools.
Hands On With 3Dconnexion’s SpaceMouse Pro Wireless
Sindoh released a special cartridge that allows the use of any filament.
Hands On With 3Dwox’s Replaceable Filament Cartridge
Retouch3D was a special set of heated tools that could be employed to repair or smooth 3D prints.
The Prusa MMU2S is an accessory that converts the single material device into one that handles up to five filaments at once.
Hands On With The Prusa MMU2S, Part 1
Hands On With The Prusa MMU2S, Part 2
Hands On With The Prusa MMU2S, Part 3
The Anycubic AirPure is an inexpensive air filtration device designed for use with any resin 3D printer.
Hands On With The Anycubic AirPure
3D Software
Cheetah3D is an inexpensive 3D design tool.
ReconstructMe is an open source tool for capturing 3D scans.
Simplify3D is a popular third party 3D print slicing utility.
One of the first attempts at web-based 3D modeling was Honeycomb.
Hands On With The Honeycomb 3D Modeler
Smoothie 3D was a tool for converting 2D images into 3D models.
Morphie is an iPad-based simple 3D modeling tool.
Autodesk’s Sculpt+ is a powerful 3D sculpting tool.
Hands On With Autodesk’s Sculpt+
Thingiverse++ is a Google Chrome add-on that makes Thingiverse a lot more usable.
Teton Simulation has introduced Smart Slice for Cura.
Teton Simulation’s Smart Slice Tool Works!
Thangs announced a new augmented reality feature, so we tested it.
Hands on with Thang’s Augmented Reality
Superslicer is a PrusaSlicer clone that adds comprehensive calibration features, which we tested.
Hands on with SuperSlicer’s Calibration Set
3D Scanners
Skanect is software that can be used with inexpensive 3D cameras, like the Kinect, to develop full 3D models.
Trnio is an inexpensive mobile app that can capture 3D scans using photogrammetry.
Hands On With Trnio, The Smartphone 3D Scanner
The ES360 is a desktop turntable-based 3D scanning system.
Hands On With Afinia’s ES360 Desktop 3D Scanner
Capture is an inexpensive pay-per-scan mobile 3D scanning app that uses the phone’s depth camera.
Hands On With Capture: 3D Scan Anything
The Calibry 3D scanner is a powerful handheld device that can operate in multiple modes and is available at low cost.
Hands On With The Calibry 3D Scanner, Part 1
Hands On With The Calibry 3D Scanner, Part 2
Hands On With The Calibry 3D Scanner, Part 3
Hands On With The Calibry 3D Scanner, Part 4
Apple’s Object Capture is a new way to 3D scan objects.
Hands on with Apple’s New Object Capture
The Artec Leo is a powerful, industrial-level full featured handheld 3D scanner.
Hands on with the Artec Leo 3D Scanner, Part 1
Hands on with the Artec Leo 3D Scanner, Part 2
Hands on with the Artec Leo 3D Scanner, Part 3
The Creality CR-Lizard is a powerful desktop 3D scanning system.
Hands on with the Creality CR-Scan Lizard, Part 1
Hands on with the Creality CR-Scan Lizard, Part 2
RealityScan is a smartphone app that performs 3D scanning.
Hands on with Reality Scan, Part 1
Hands on with Reality Scan, Part 2
Scaniverse is a smartphone app that generates free 3D scans.
Scenario is another smartphone 3D scanning app.
Hands on with the Scenario 3D Scanner App
Scanamaze is a free smartphone app that performs photogrammetry-based 3D scanning.
3D Print Materials
“HIPS” is a popular 3D print material.
Hands On With: High Impact Polystyrene
colorFabb’s original 3D printer material.
Hands On With ColorFabb’s PLA Filament
colorFabb’s partnership with a chemical company resulted in the first 3D print-dedicated material, Amphora.
Hands On With Amphora 3D Printer Filament
Verbatim unleashed a few of their many unusual materials to the 3D print world.
Hands On With Verbatim’s 3D Printer Filaments
Feelcolor is a provider of useful 3D printer filaments.
Hands On With Feelcolor’s Fascinating 3D Printer Filaments
Before you try Algae filaments, read this.
Hands On With 3D-Fuel’s Strong PLA And Algae Filaments. What?
Fiberlogy produces a terrific flexible filament.
Hands On With Fiberlogy’s New FiberFlex 40D 3D Printer Filament
We tested several filaments from Fiberlogy, including HD, Flex, Mineral and Wood.
Hands On With Four Fiberlogy Filaments
MakerBot produced a special “Tough” PLA material to use on their machines that could not 3D print ABS.
Hands On With MakerBot’s Tough PLA System
PLAS3D produces some amazing 3D printer filaments.
We tested a “silk” filament from Fiberlogy.
Hands On With Two Fiberlogy Filaments
We tested Fiberlogy’s recycled PLA and their PETG offerings.
Hands On With Two More Fiberlogy Filaments
3D Services
Authentise provides a secure streaming option for 3D printing.
Hands On With Authentise’s Streaming Prints
3DPrinterOS provides a cloud-based streaming 3D printing service.
Uformit offers a generative design service for unusual 3D prints.
Hands On With Uformit’s Personalized 3D Print Service
MakePrintable is an online service to quickly repair damaged 3D models.
