Many thanks all.
I've watched the youtube vid Mr Scram posted.
From that, while the i3 Mk3 came off best in most things, the Ender 3 also came up very good. The CR10 not so good (but he did stress that might be because his needs adjusting).
Print quality wise, apart from horizontal text printing and 5 degrees less overhang, the Ender 3 seems on par with the I3 Mk3 quality (Ender 3 had less string with the tiny vertical bits).
He stressed how much easier the i3 Mk3 is to use and how quite it is.
I've spent a few hours watching various youtube on the Ender 3 (will watch some on the other models suggested to me in this thread tomorrow), and it seems that I can upgrade it to be virtually silent with things like motor dampers etc. From what I've watched, I THINK (haven't done my sums yet) I could get the Ender 3 and all the bits to upgrade, for 1/2 the price the i3 Mk3 costs.
Then we come to space. I have two options. I'm in the middle of rearranging my lab at the moment, I've attached as few pics if anyone's interested, the table to the left hand side, is really totally unused (it has an external disk drive and an audio interface on it, both could be put underneath the table). The only thing on it is my second monitor (both monitors on those arms that allow them to go up, down in and out).
The table is only 60 cm deep though, and I'm not sure how I could redesign my monitor (or lab) layout to give me the entire table, maybe I could get a stand that allows it to go above my main monitor. Height is zero problem, shelves can easily be moved/removed.
The other option is our spare room. I say spare room, junk yard is a more apt description, it's used to store everything. Size is no problem there, but I would have to set up a web cam etc to keep an eye on it. Would much rather it in the main room with my PC etc.
If anyone can suggest a better layout for my lab, that could accommodate a 3D printer, I'm more than happy to consider it.
Many thanks for all the advice
I actually conversed with bean about your space issues last night... one VERY nice thing about the E3's design (which my Diggro shares) is that it is entirely unitized, and it comes with this uber-convenient handle built right in. Because the frame is short enough and rigid enough to support it without harming print quality like with the larger CR-10, you can (and most users do) mount the filament holder right on the top of the unit.
This IS inconvenient in height-restricted areas; however, combined with its light weight it DOES make the E3 form-factor so VERY CONVENIENTLY STOWABLE.
Just unplug the power from the back and stash it somewhere, filament and all. I do NOT recommend leaving the filament stored on the printer for for long durations; keeping the filament from absorbing airborne moisture (I store it in a freezer baggie with a dessicant pack) is a key element to successful prints. However I often take my Diggro off my bench when I want to work on other things for an afternoon, or even just to have room to work on pieces between prints.
Also, if I want to print something while the fam is in the office, I just cart it upstairs and use it in the bedroom. The E3 is VERY family-livable.
One of the key factors for 3D printing, like everything is location, location, location. You want your printer on a very solid table or workbench; card tables and coffee tables may SEEM just the right size, but they tend to be somewhat wobbly and the printer being able to shuck back & forth does affect print quality. You probably don't want to put it on the wheeled part of your bench. Ikea Lack tables are a popular choice, but I'd suggest x-bracing the legs to stiffen them up.
[EDIT]
https://www.amazon.com/Video-Baby-Monitor-Camera-Audio/dp/B07ZNBVFXG/Oh... a webcam is not necessary for use while you're doing other stuff. For the easy solution, I just use a cheap Video Baby Monitor if I need to be in another room. They've evolved quite a bit over the last few years; mine is a ANMEATE brand cheapie but it has excellent resolution video w/audio, LiPo battery built-into the monitor with several hours runtime, and it charges from a Micro-USB. You can even run the camera from a micro-USB plugged into a power bank!
Just be mindful, and treat it like you would a baby... pay attention to what it's doing on the monitor, and don't walk away from the monitor and forget it.
Good luck!
mnem
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