best DIY 3D printer budget $1000

[3D life]

I’ve been working double shifts for a year and I’m finally treating myself to a DIY 3D printer! I’ve watched a ton of reviews and used a Makerbot before, but now I want my own.
I’m looking to build it from a kit so I actually understand how to fix it when things go sideways.

I’m solid with computers and teaching myself SolidWorks, so I’m ready for the learning curve. My goal is to print gadgets and random ideas I have floating around.
my budget is $500–$1000. for the build plate. I need more width/length than height (ideally something like a 16x16 inch base)
I'll put it in the living room, so a lot of space

any recommendations for a high quality kit that fits that wide footprint? also, if there's any software easier than SolidWorks for quick sketches, let me know!

 

[GrandmasterOuroboros]

Respect for the double shifts, that is a solid treat. For big DIY kits, RatRig V Core 3 400 keeps popping up when people want width more than height. If you lean more “community build log” style, a Voron Trident 350 is a fun rabbit hole, just not as wide as your 16x16 target. Are you mostly printing PLA, or do you want ABS too since that changes the living room setup.

 

[Alan]

Working double shifts then buying a kit to learn it the right way is a solid move. Just a heads up, in the $500 to $1000 range, the biggest quality difference is not the frame, it is motion parts, hotend, and how clean the kit is. If you pick a coreXY kit, budget for a good hotend and a decent control setup, then it will feel less like a science project every week. If you want super easy CAD for quick ideas, Tinkercad is surprisingly useful for simple gadgets.

 

[KenAmada]

For a DIY 3D printer kit in the $500 to $1000 range with a wide build like 400x400, I see a lot of people go Voron style or RatRig style builds. Both can hit that 16x16 footprint depending on the config. do you want enclosed since it will live in your living room, or is open frame fine?