<p>The resources you have at your fingertips are going to be more up-to-date than anything you'll find in a paper/published book. Use this amazing thing called the internet and read everything you can find. Use Google or your favorite search engine using appropriate terms. I'd suggest, based on your overly broad question, that you use "build your own 3d printer" as a starting point.</p>

<p>You'll find that <a href="http://www.instructables.com/" rel="nofollow">Instructables</a> is one useful resource as well as <a href="http://www.makershed.com/" rel="nofollow">MakerShed</a> for additional material. You will find a very large source of helpful information at <a href="http://3dprintboard.com/" rel="nofollow">3dprintboard.com</a> simply by reading others' posts there and at other forums as well.</p>

<p>There is quite a bit to absorb and understand but with the internet at your fingertips, you won't be lacking for information.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-02T14:56:04.377Z
2016-05-02T14:56:04.377Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I would recommend <strong><a href="http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1457187361" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Design for 3D Printing: Scanning, Creating, Editing, Remixing, and Making in Three Dimensions</a></strong> by Samuel N. Bernier, Bertier Luyt and Tatiana Reinhard</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/YIohZ.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/YIohZ.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>It has a lot of tips, tricks and examples.
Good for beginners and experienced users.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-04T10:19:28.003Z
2016-05-04T10:19:28.003Z
alesr
<p>ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES
3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping, and
Direct Digital Manufacturing</p>

<p>Springer</p>

<p>I think its a perfect book. A lot of details to all technologies.
*Beware there is math and physics involved.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/52f1O.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/52f1O.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T19:33:45.537Z
2016-05-04T14:23:15.077Z
2016-05-04T14:23:15.077Z
albseb
<p>If you really want to learn about three dimensional printing then "Mastering 3D Printing" by Joan Horvath, published by Apress, would be a good place to start. </p>

<p>It does not provide you the in depth knowledge about all the types of printers or materials but it is good enough to get a newbie like me or you get of the ground. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2016-05-04T11:49:31.303Z
2018-09-30T10:03:45.480Z
2018-09-30T10:03:45.480Z
Lucky Ansari
<p>One highly recommended book is Getting started with 30 printing by Liza wallah kloski and nick kloski</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-10T03:27:32.450Z
This is more of a comment. Could you flesh this out by providing a summary as to **why** this is "highly recommended" and a link to the book?
agarza
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-07-10T02:55:10.290Z
2024-07-10T02:55:10.290Z
user26313782
<p>You can learn a lot just by reading the forums.  I'll just list a few that are quite popular...</p>

<p><a href="http://forums.reprap.org/" rel="nofollow">Reprap Forums</a> - Has a ton of information on DIY printers including build logs and posts dealing with many issues.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.soliforum.com" rel="nofollow">Soliforum</a> - Large user base with lots of information. Not sure what it's standing is now that Solidoodle is gone but I'm sure the forum will stick around.</p>

<p><a href="http://forum.seemecnc.com/" rel="nofollow">SeeMeCNC</a> - Support forum for SeeMeCNC, has a lot of information for Delta printers and also other printers.</p>

<p>There aren't many books that I know of...Make magazine has done a few issues on 3D printing that you could try to obtain.  I'm not sure what your idea of building a printer is, do you want to design your own or follow someone's instructions and put one together?  Designing one would require some basic hardware and engineering knowledge.</p>

<p>All that said, the best learning experience would be buying a kit and learning as you go.  You'll never read in a book what you will learn from having your own printer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T12:07:51.103Z
2016-05-03T12:07:51.103Z
tjb1
<p>I've been interested in 3D printing for the past month however, I have noticed that it's sort of a "reserved" topic. Meaning that everyone who talks about it, has already some basic knowledge about the topic. What are some good resources for someone who wants to start learning from zero? My main goal is to acquire enough knowledge in order to build my own 3D printer.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-30T15:08:08.663Z
@tjb1 this is a *shopping* question as there are as many good answers as there are books about the topic.
Trish
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-10-02T11:11:01.450Z
@Trish This question was asked when the site was only 4 months old and struggling to get started.  The site needed questions then and still needs questions today. What do we gain by closing a 2.5 year old question with 5 answers?
tjb1
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-02T16:47:16.930Z
As it stands, I think this question is too broad for the requirements of this site. I understand the state of not knowing what questions to ask, but this site is designed for more specific questions. Perhaps try rewording your question to outline what resources haven't worked for you and what type of information (specifically) can help you start your adventures in 3D printing. Best regards and welcome!
tbm0115
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-05-03T11:57:18.973Z
I don't understand the want to close everything that doesn't say what specific printer they are using and what the alloy is of the bolt that is driving the filament.  Answers to this question would not only be beneficial to the original poster but many other new people that find the site as well.  The question is easy enough to answer and I'm sure all of us have a few websites that we check daily for information.
tjb1
<printer-building>
What is a good book to read about 3D printers?
snOm3ad
# What is a good book to read about 3D printers?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-05-02)

I've been interested in 3D printing for the past month however, I have noticed that it's sort of a "reserved" topic. Meaning that everyone who talks about it, has already some basic knowledge about the topic. What are some good resources for someone who wants to start learning from zero? My main goal is to acquire enough knowledge in order to build my own 3D printer.

**Tags:** printer-building

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: As it stands, I think this question is too broad for the requirements of this site. I understand the state of not knowing what questions to ask, but this site is designed for more specific questions. Perhaps try rewording your question to outline what resources haven't worked for you and what type of information (specifically) can help you start your adventures in 3D printing. Best regards and welcome!  
> **username_2**: I don't understand the want to close everything that doesn't say what specific printer they are using and what the alloy is of the bolt that is driving the filament.  Answers to this question would not only be beneficial to the original poster but many other new people that find the site as well.  The question is easy enough to answer and I'm sure all of us have a few websites that we check daily for information.  
> **username_1**: @username_2 this is a *shopping* question as there are as many good answers as there are books about the topic.  
> **username_2**: @username_1 This question was asked when the site was only 4 months old and struggling to get started.  The site needed questions then and still needs questions today. What do we gain by closing a 2.5 year old question with 5 answers?  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-05-03. Score: 4 | Accepted answer

You can learn a lot just by reading the forums. I'll just list a few that are quite popular...

[Reprap Forums](http://forums.reprap.org/) - Has a ton of information on DIY printers including build logs and posts dealing with many issues.

[Soliforum](http://www.soliforum.com) - Large user base with lots of information. Not sure what it's standing is now that Solidoodle is gone but I'm sure the forum will stick around.

[SeeMeCNC](http://forum.seemecnc.com/) - Support forum for SeeMeCNC, has a lot of information for Delta printers and also other printers.

There aren't many books that I know of...Make magazine has done a few issues on 3D printing that you could try to obtain. I'm not sure what your idea of building a printer is, do you want to design your own or follow someone's instructions and put one together? Designing one would require some basic hardware and engineering knowledge.

All that said, the best learning experience would be buying a kit and learning as you go. You'll never read in a book what you will learn from having your own printer.


---

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-05-02. Score: 3

The resources you have at your fingertips are going to be more up-to-date than anything you'll find in a paper/published book. Use this amazing thing called the internet and read everything you can find. Use Google or your favorite search engine using appropriate terms. I'd suggest, based on your overly broad question, that you use "build your own 3d printer" as a starting point.

You'll find that [Instructables](http://www.instructables.com/) is one useful resource as well as [MakerShed](http://www.makershed.com/) for additional material. You will find a very large source of helpful information at [3dprintboard.com](http://3dprintboard.com/) simply by reading others' posts there and at other forums as well.

There is quite a bit to absorb and understand but with the internet at your fingertips, you won't be lacking for information.


---

### Answer by username_5 on 2016-05-04. Score: 3

I would recommend **[Design for 3D Printing: Scanning, Creating, Editing, Remixing, and Making in Three Dimensions](http://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/1457187361)** by Samuel N. Bernier, Bertier Luyt and Tatiana Reinhard

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/YIohZ.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/YIohZ.jpg)

It has a lot of tips, tricks and examples.
Good for beginners and experienced users.


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2016-05-03. Score: 1

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES
3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping, and
Direct Digital Manufacturing

Springer

I think its a perfect book. A lot of details to all technologies.
\*Beware there is math and physics involved.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/52f1O.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/52f1O.jpg)


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2016-05-04. Score: 1

If you really want to learn about three dimensional printing then "Mastering 3D Printing" by Joan Horvath, published by Apress, would be a good place to start.

It does not provide you the in depth knowledge about all the types of printers or materials but it is good enough to get a newbie like me or you get of the ground.


---

### Answer by username_8 on 2024-07-10. Score: 0

One highly recommended book is Getting started with 30 printing by Liza wallah kloski and nick kloski

> **Comments:**
> **username_9**: This is more of a comment. Could you flesh this out by providing a summary as to **why** this is "highly recommended" and a link to the book?  

---

