Review on Flashforge Semi-Enclosed Removable Platform Education 3D Printing Solutions by Tim Airy

I've been in the 3D printing industry for about ten years now. My main workhorses are the Makerbot Replicator 5th Edition and SnapMaker 2, which I still love for a number of reasons. but since this review is about FlashForge FinderLite, let's talk about it. My wife and mother-in-law own a very successful cookie business that needs specially designed cookie cutters at a rate of 3-4 a week (slow week). I was able to make these for my wife using Makerbot, but since my mother-in-law lives on the other side of the world, she had to pay someone to design/print her cutters for her ($5-$10 per cutter). I was looking for a cheap 3D printer that she could use. My goal was under $300, easy to use, macOS compatible. I was also hoping for Wi-Fi connectivity and bed heating, but that wasn't a requirement. After initial setup and testing, I suggested this to my mother-in-law. and now she's a cookie cutter fool. To ensure success, I've created an unboxing video and even a how-to video explaining the key features of FlashPrint. and now I create STL for her cutting plotters and email them to her. Here are the details1. Setup: Very quick and easy, just follow the instructions. Leveling the bed is an annoying process with the most annoying beep you can't figure out how to mute but once you follow the steps you're done. FlashPrint Software: That's the only thing I don't like about this printer. Flashprint keeps crashing on my 13" MacBook Pro (16GB RAM) with OS 10.15. My wife's old 12" Macbook hasn't had any issues so I don't know if it's an OS issue or some other issue Anyway, I prefer 3D Simplify over Flash as it gives me more control over all options, so I just use Simplify3D to generate the .gcode file (**more on that in a moment)3.Filament Storage: I like the filament storage on the back of the printer. Makerbot does that too and is a big help in keeping the workspace clean.The downside is that the storage only fits 500g spools of filament, meaning you are limited in your filament purchases There is an alternative though, I printed a filament winder that attaches to my drill and I wind the filament from big 1kg spools to smaller spools so I can buy any brand/color I want.Threa d included: WHICH thread? Yes, they contain a very small amount of "test yarn" but it doesn't go on the spool. You must purchase a 500g Flash Forge compatible reel to have a reel for use/storage (see comment #3).5. Noise: The machine is almost silent. My Makerbot is very noisy. I thought all 3D printers were like this, but not this one. You don't even know it's working unless you're sitting right next to it.6. Attachment to the bed: no complaints here. I use the included glue stick to cover the bed in a thin layer and the models stick to it easily and come off instantly. This is especially important as I don't print rafts.7. Network: THIS PRINTER HAS NO COMPUTER INTERFACE!. If you need Wi-Fi/USB, choose Finder vs. FinderLite. For my specific use - downloading the STL/.gcode/.gx file directly to an SD card and printing it is no problem, so I decided to save $50. If you're willing to shell out the extra cash, Wi-Fi/USB printing is a little cumbersome (I cover that in my Adventurer3 review), but it works. File format: I HATE PROFESSIONAL MATERIALS (I know Makerbot is proprietary too). Flashforge prefers the .gx file, which is a .g file with a thumbnail of the printed item added, giving you a small image on the screen. This printer (FinderLite/Finder) also accepts .gcode and prints it fine. The difference is that the screen does not show a thumbnail of the item to be printed, but it prints fine. So if you use 3D simplification (or Cura or any other slicer) you can create a .gcode file and delete it. to the SD card and it will print fine. **Please note that things are different on the Adventurer3 (see my review). Adventurer 3D only prints .gx or .g files, not .gcode.9. Media: The SD card slot is easily accessible and works perfectly. I prefer USB over SD so I don't need an SD card reader, but they're cheap so no big deal. Even if you get the Adventurer3 with a USB connector (Vice SD), it's an old-style Vice USB-C, so I need an adapter to connect to my MacbookPro (or cool flash drives that both USB formats on the same device). 10. Food Safe: Speaking of using it to make cookie cutters, it's important to note that PLA is not FDA approved for food use. There are a number of reasons why most cookie makers deny using cling film or sterilization. PETG is food safe but cannot be printed on with this printer. If that's important to you, look into Adventurer3Lite ($369) or DreamerNZ ($449) for your next best choices. If a heated bed is important, consider the Dreamer or Adventurer3. My personal opinion is that Wi-Fi/USB connectivity isn't a big deal since you need to clean your build plate before each print anyway, so I don't know if I'll spend money on that. Spend that $50 to buy extra spools of filament to wind with whatever filament you prefer.