Adam Savage's Favorite Budget 3D Printer, Books, YouTubers and Podcasts

Has Adam Savage tried non-LEGO building blocks? What's a good entry-level 3D printer? What maker books or podcasts does Adam recommend, and what is he reading right now? In this live stream excerpt Adam answers these questions from Tested members @marktegrotenhuis, @ianrigby7395, @DormantSloth and @alexbrockew4269, whom we thank for their support. What are your thoughts about non-LEGO bricks, books, YouTube channels and podcasts?

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Intro bumper by Abe Dieckman

Thanks for watching!

[tested]

What are your thoughts about non-LEGO bricks, books, YouTube channels and podcasts?
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[scottcampbell]

To whoever manages the show notes, thank you! Whenever Adam makes suggestions, it’s a huge help to have the links so we don’t have to pause and search for each one.

[Dlehnerswe]

While working as a plastic injection molding tech, I had the pleasure of visiting the Lego factory in Denmark. If you've not been there, I strongly recommend that the Tested crew reaches out to lego and ask if you can go there... It's mind boggling..

[mandykolbe]

I cannot second those book recs hard enough. Murderbot Diaries especially is phenomenal, to the point where Wells has started withdrawing the series from consideration at the Nebulas and Hugos because she wants other authors to have the opportunity to be recognized. The prose is delightfully acerbic and while you’re on the floor laughing it will sneak in and hit you right in the feels.

[dewrunning]

Early 2000s, there were diaper wipes that came in plastic containers. The containers were about 4”x8”x 3” tall, that were molded to look like legos. They were easily stackable, and our toddler loved playing with them.

[SellasVult]

Really recommend printing at slightly less than 100% if your going for that solid feel, 95% gives about the same and should print slightly better. At 100% any over-extrusion will outflow from the print, at 95% it will have room for any overflow.

[johnpatrickmcp]

Ever since Covid I have felt the shift from Fiction to Non-Fiction books. I have just fell in love with all of the cool stuff I have learned.

[darkalleywaystudio]

I have a BL P1S and it is my favorite tool in the house. Can't say enough good things about this printer, fantastic experience. However, there is issues that I have with BL and the printer itself which requires a bit of maintenance knowledge of 3D printers to fully understand. Thankfully, I'm comfortable working with such products. I would say the A1 mini is a great entry level machine. I'm thinking about grabbing an A1 mini or the big brother alternative. As the P1S was really only intended for engineering/ multi-color products, not so much prototyping which is exactly why I purchased it. Now, I want more BL machines the more I think of each of their uses for my farm. The next printer I'm considering is my first resin printer. I'm glad to see Tested/ Adam and the community have much love for BL as much as I do and I'm glad the 3D printing community knows of their faults as well. Positive critiquing will lead to better products. =)

[hydrogenbond]

Can recommend both the A1 mini and A1 (both even with AMS), the setup is quick, prints fast and reliable, the A1 has awesome build volume (256mm cubed), and with the AMS, It's just so good.

[Bigrignohio]

"Looks like how popcorn Jelly Bellies taste". Wow. That is a GREAT phrase and I will be borrowing it in the future!

[xxJOKeRxx]

I think you really need to look at bricks again. Brands like Blue Brixx, CADA, COBI or Mould King often do it better and cheaper than the market leader. Lego loves to give you a multitude of colored bricks for the insides that don't fit the theme of the build and others do that much better.

Loved the Murderbot series and i'll look into Gideon the 9th, thanks for the recomendation.

[rogue]

The Murderbot Diaries is my very favorite book series ever. I can empathize with nearly any character, and find some way to relate to anything, but it's very rare that a character validates so many of my own feelings that I spent much of my life believing no one else could relate to. I wish this series had been out when I was still trying to find myself. I'd've spent a lot less time trying to be what I was taught people should be just because it never occurred to me that just saying "No, thank you." was an option.

[gabbro]

Adam liking The Locked Tomb is genuinely the best thing I learned today

[QuirkyGeek]

"These are your very basic, 10, 000 years in the future, lesbian necromancer science fiction fantasy novels" wasn't on my Adam Savage bingo card :D I love how much you surprise me Adam, will probably look into those now :P

[Kenkire]

10:00 Hearing you sum up some of my favorite books thusly made me giddy and squee with delight! I never thought I'd hear those words, in that order, come out of your mouth. LOL

[toyotaboyhatman]

thank you for saying A1.. so many people on FB say "oh just buy an ender, you can find one for $150". Sure, but then how much money are you going to spend trying to make it good? Nothing wrong with assembling a printer so you understand how it works, but most people JUST want to print (not tinker).

[Chirishman]

I don’t know that I’ve ever been happier about someone else’s current/recent reading than I am to hear that Adam has found and loved the Locked Tomb and Murderbot books.

[banditrests]

The Locked Tomb series is delightful and weird, really glad Adam has read it. Not sure I’ve ever laughed harder in a sci-fi book than an immortal necromancer king referencing none pizza with left beef for absolutely no one.

[aaronsmicrobes]

The Gideon the Ninth books are fantastic, but might need a couple reads. And yes, lesbian necromancers in space is an apt description. They're wonderfully weird, fantastical, and the gradual world building is done really well. You're always left with the feeling of wanting to know more.

[SpottedHares]

You can get a Kobra 2 refurbished ~$100, lacks some of the features newer printers have but size is really your only limit.