Any Blues in to 3d printing?

[Street end man]

I have one. A friend gave it me because he hadn't a clue. I did some research and flashed a general operating system into it as it was proprietary and the software it needed was crap.

Used it a few times to make small parts I needed- a knob for a heater control in a classic car and a hose clip for a vax. Its drawing the files thats the hardest part. I find cad very unintuitive and the learning curve is enormous - made harder by being self taught. Then just when you think you've nailed a design and got all the dimensions, you print out and learn about shrinkage/contraction!

Oh and another bind is the one success you get in five attempts because you lose adherence to the hot plate resulting in what looks like a star trek transporter accident. Its a frustrating pursuit!

Some good points you raise mate.
Cad can be hard to get your head around at first, you are so right, I found that too. However if you start with a basic and simple CAD package like Tinkercad you are up and drawing things in no time. Not the most powerful CAD by any means but it teaches you the basics.

I moved on to Fusion 360 which is awe inspiring with its power, I'm only scratching the surface with it it but would now be able to draw most basic engineering jobs needed.

The software with my printer is Cura, what were you using? This has been so stable and truly faultless so far, touch wood.

The last 2 points you make are also great. Shrinkage yes, I've now managed to control this by altering heat settings and the like, I'm usually within .04mm. The likes of threads are trickIer, I'll usually make one a bit smaller/bigger than the other so they work....ie a bit of clearance.

Adhesion to the bed? Yep the forums are packed with guys using 2 way tape, hair spray and other weird methods to get the piece to stick.

Not needed really as these modern magnetic flexi beds are superb and have all the adhesion you need and offer quick release of the finished item.

Have another go