Franky or Bill, or JB3D

I live far northern Illinois with my Vizsla Julie-bird.

I started printing early 2026, I had to stop baking. After much debate of what my next hobby would be. I bought a 3D printer and it was horrible. I returned the printer and did more research. I bought a second printer QIDI Q2, which I still own and use frequently.

I learned quickly the problem with the first printer was mostly me. I had no clue, so I read and watch endless YTB videos. I was learning lots and making tons of wasted print attempts. I slowly learning and gained lots of confidence in my printing. I quickly added a 2nd printer SV06 ace. I didn’t want to waste filament so only single-color prints and started to play with engineered filament. Then another printer, A U1, little waste and I was cooking now. I like printing small figures and make some stuff with cad or Meshy.

I did my first market with what I thought was some cool stuff, off Patreon. Some was cool but it was other people cool and markets just not my thing. I had a few friends that wanted me to show them basics. Types of printers and filament and where to pull files and a little tinker cad. They wanted a lesson on how to not wake up to a spaghetti mess in your spare bedroom. That’s when phase 2 kicked in, a friend at the market said, Billy do a workshop, what? You love teaching kids and have a passion for this 3D thing. Oh boy, I had all of 4 printers, a couple Sovol I fixed off Marketplace a AD5M from a friend and a couple Core Xy that are not going anywhere.

Well 2+ months later I have 2 workshops down and own 4 Sparkxi7s. These little machines are great for the kids and new printers. Easy setup and several ways to pull and print files. They are a perfect fit for the workshops. I will wait a bit before adding Sparkxi8s to the mix. I love how easy I can transport and calibrate these machines. I definitely look forward to the look those kids will have with her or his first color print. When the Xi7s are not in class, they are usually printing gadgets or some Hueforge for me. I had 11 students in my first workshop and 2 families bought Xi7s and know a few more had planned on Santa dropping a printer under the tree.

Joining Creality Makers was great way for me to show the kids what’s available for them and their families, to demonstrate creativity, learn and maybe teach something.

My printer family is quite large and definitely leans towards bed slingers. I have 4 Sparkxi7s, one Spark is at a friend on loan. 4 Sovol SV06,07x2 and SV04. Two of my SV07 are out on loan to new creators. I have 1 FF AD5m and a Snapmaker U1 and my Q2 rounds out my house. My skill set is probably on the lower end, but I do love this hobby and love sharing what I can to new creator’s

Thanks.