Hobby articles / 3D Printing and Making
By LootBandit
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For hobby work, choose between FDM and resin printing by the parts you expect to make most often. A terrain board full of large buildings, a collection of tiny figures, and replacement workshop organizers require different combinations of detail, size, toughness, and finishing effort.
FDM is often a practical starting point for larger scenery and useful accessories. Resin printing deserves a closer look when small surface details are central to the project. Neither process removes the need to prepare the file, choose a suitable material, and inspect the finished part.
What changes between the processes?
FDM, also called filament or extrusion printing in everyday hobby discussions, places softened thermoplastic along programmed paths. Resin printers solidify selected areas of a liquid photopolymer using light. Resin machines include several exposure technologies, so “resin” is a broad family rather than one identical mechanism.
Formlabs’ technology comparison describes these process differences and their finishing requirements. Its commercial comparisons also promote its own products; use the underlying workflow information while checking any particular machine’s specifications independently.
| Hobby requirement | What to examine with FDM | What to examine with resin |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny faces, insignia, and ornament | Nozzle, extrusion width, orientation, and actual sample detail | Actual sample detail, exposure settings, and support marks |
| Large terrain pieces | Build area, assembly seams, print duration, and visible layers | Usable build area, resin volume, hollowing, and cleaning access |
| Handling during games | Material and direction of layer bonding | Specific resin properties and slender-part durability |
| Workshop accessories | Fit, wall design, temperature, and intended loading | Fit, material suitability, finishing requirements, and cost |
Evaluate detail on a real object
A single resolution number does not tell you how an entire miniature will look. Ask to see a print near the size you intend to use, preferably before paint and after ordinary support removal. Examine shallow lettering, small gaps, curved surfaces, and the underside.
For a small figure, the most important feature may be a recognizable face. For a building, it may be flat walls and consistent door openings. Choose sample geometry that exposes your actual requirement. A tall decorative vase does not demonstrate miniature performance, and a tiny bust does not demonstrate a large wall remaining flat.
Include the work after printing
FDM parts may need support removal and surface preparation. Resin parts need the washing and curing steps specified for the selected material and machine. Plan that whole sequence before comparing convenience.
Consider a row of terrain houses. You might accept visible layers on rough stone walls but want smooth shop signs. Splitting the project between processes—or using printed signs on a structure made from sheet material—can serve the scene better than forcing every component through one machine.
Support placement matters with either process. A contact scar on the hidden back of a wall is different from one across a face or a mating surface. Look at the underside of finished sample prints, not just the flattering front view.
Choose material by use, not by process label
“Resin is brittle” and “filament is strong” are too broad to specify a part. Both families include materials with different behavior. Read the technical data for the exact material and think about how the part will be handled.
A flexible sword, a rigid display plinth, and a clip opened repeatedly need different properties. Geometry also matters: a thick base can survive handling that breaks a slender attachment made from the same material. Test representative parts before producing an army or a complete scenery set.
Make room for a complete workflow
Measure the space needed for the printer, opening covers, removing parts, storing material, and cleaning tools. For resin, consult the resin and wash-fluid safety data sheets for ventilation, protective equipment, and disposal requirements. Formlabs’ resin safety guidance specifically treats liquid resin and unwashed parts as handling stages that require appropriate precautions.
Keep the printing and cleanup area separate from food preparation and routine household traffic. If the complete workflow cannot fit your available space, a print service or a shared workshop may be the better option.
A useful way to make the decision
- List your next five likely projects with approximate dimensions.
- Mark the feature that determines success for each.
- Compare real examples from candidate machines and materials.
- Count finishing equipment, consumables, storage, and hands-on time.
- Choose the process that serves most of those projects, and outsource exceptions.
You do not need to own both types to enjoy printed hobby parts. Start with a workflow you can maintain and learn its limits through small, purposeful projects.
Sources and further reading
- Formlabs: Comparing FDM, SLA, and SLS
- Formlabs: Resin printing safety FAQ
- Formlabs: Material data sheets
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