SMRRF 2023: My First RepRap Festival
So yesterday I got myself out of bed at what felt like the crack of dawn (okay, it was 6:30am, but on a Saturday that’s practically midnight) to attend my first RepRap Festival - the SMRRF. I was in for a long drive, so I wanted to beat the Christmas shopping hordes clogging up the roads. Living in Essex and heading to Oxford meant facing the dreaded M25 - a road so consistently awful that Google Maps should just permanently color it red and be done with it.
The drive itself was actually not terrible by M25 standards - only one random slowdown for absolutely no visible reason, and just two instances of being cut off by BMWs whose drivers apparently consider indicators to be optional equipment.
My Ongoing War with Parking Machines
Looking back, my first mistake of the day wasn’t getting up early or choosing to drive - it was trying to use technology at 9am without sufficient caffeine. I arrived at the Oxford park and ride, bleary-eyed and fumbling with the parking machine. Somehow managed to enter my car registration wrong (how??). So I’m now expecting a fine through the door at some point. I’ve kept the ticket and receipt, so I’m hoping I can get away with it by playing the “I’m just an idiot who can’t type his own license plate correctly” card. Fingers crossed they take pity.
Then I hopped on a bus that I wasn’t 100% sure was going to the right place. The driver just grunted when I asked if it went near the examination halls. Reassuring.
The Venue Was Unexpectedly Fancy
The venue for SMRRF was actually amazing - Oxford’s examination halls are basically a cathedral to academic suffering. Seriously, the interior was gorgeous with these ornate decorated walls and ceilings that must make failing an exam there feel extra fancy.
I had plenty of time to admire the architecture since I’d massively overestimated my travel time (classic anxious person move) and arrived a full hour before the doors opened. Just me and a handful of other early birds awkwardly standing around, pretending to be fascinated by our phones while sneaking glances at each other’s 3D printed badges and t-shirts. I spotted at least three Benchy shirts before 10am.
The Community Vibe Was Real
There was this moment around lunchtime where I was struggling to get the tiny screws back into this extruder assembly someone was showing me. My fat fingers just couldn’t manage it. Without saying anything, the guy next to me - complete stranger - handed me his magnetic screwdriver with this “been there, buddy” nod. That pretty much summed up the whole vibe.
Everyone there seemed genuinely aware that this event was for a good cause - the Sanjay Mortimer Foundation does amazing work getting kids into making and 3D printing. There was none of that corporate “we’re networking but secretly competing” atmosphere you get at software events.
The Haul
I swore I wouldn’t buy anything. I PROMISED myself. Just go, look around, meet people, come home.
Yeah, that lasted about 45 minutes.
I’m now the proud owner of:
- Way too many spools of filament I “absolutely needed”
- A hotend I’ve been eyeing for months (20% off! It would have been financially irresponsible NOT to buy it!)
- A weird little 3D printed gadget that helps with cable management that I could have definitely printed myself but was too impatient
- A t-shirt that says “My Printer Has Layers (And Issues)” that made me laugh out loud in the middle of a crowded hall
Will I Go Again?
Absolutely 100% yes. This event has been permanently added to my calendar. I’m already looking forward to SMRRF 2024, and I’m definitely going to check out other UK 3D printing events to see if they have the same awesome community feel.
If you’re into 3D printing even a little bit, honestly, it’s worth the trip. Just double-check your parking details and maybe bring a slightly larger budget than you think you need. You know, for emergencies. Like finding that perfect spool of silk PLA you definitely don’t need but absolutely must have.