Hairspray? What does that do? And what's the difference between the two types? Suited to different types of objects? Shall I add one more question mark to my post?

It prevents or reduces warping. Of hair, presumably

Helps the Base Layer stick to the bed (and stay in place/not curl up at the edges).

Abs is stronger* but, generally, it's harder to print such fine details reliably.


*depending how you define strength

I see. Can I use hairspray to make print a 3D model directly on someone's head?

Could I use hair gel or chocolate mousse instead?

If you heat their head to about 160C and they sit very still, sure why not.

I find chocolate mousse a little sloppy for good hold, but you could try a chocolate mouse

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2015-Many-kinds-of-language-DIY-sunhokey-prusa-i3-3d-printer-2-rolls-New-Arrival-filament/32490431488.html?spm=2114.01010108.3.214.1bvjLU&ws_ab_test=201556_8,201527_2_71_72_73_74_75,201560_4


No seller reviews, but I think AliPay is pretty secure so wondering it's worth a punt...

I'm also working on a UV resin printer at the moment, got a 405nm laser diode and driver on their way from the States.

That is very cheap. Too good to be true?

I'd imagine so, but Ali Express do offer a money back guarantee type thing, although I've no idea how reliable it is.

It seems to require you to return the item if it's not as described, and I imagine the cost of posting a 3D printer back to china is not going to be insignificant. 

Prusa i3 MK2 announced

http://prusaprinters.org/original-prusa-i3-mk2-release/

I assume once the schematics are released they will start to appear on aliexpress.

Which will probably mean the i3 clones will drop in price.

They really seem to have made some great improvements with this upgrade.  I'm thinking of buying one later on. 

So what are recommendations for 3D printers worth getting that are under £500(ish) and available to buy now (i.e. not kickstarer/pre-order/etc), have decent build quality, useful & easy to source materials, able to print more than 5cm², etc?

Either a shitty kit from Aliexpress for about £50-150, or spend a fair bit more than £500 for something that works at least some of the time.

Or back my kickstarter and I'll build myself a house with the money before announcing that the project failed in 4 years time.

Thought so. :(

I have two of these.  I paid $349 for the first one and less than $300 for the second with 3 spools of filament. The only bad thing about them is you have to use their filament.  I am going to mod one of them and swap the board with an Arduino and RAMPS.

About 2 1/2 years later and I've finally pushed the button and bought one in the AliExpress 11.11 sales.

~£150 - Anet A8 Auto Levelling

So I've been using it since boxing day and managed to get a few decent prints out. I'm quite impressed for the price (and probably more impressed with my ability to actually getting it functioning reasonably well!)

The printer I bought apparently had some setting on fire issues, so I bought a separate MOSFET board for the heated bed to try and prevent such fires.

Initial prints have been to improve the printer.

My successful prints to date (none designed by me, all from Thingiverse)

Filament guide


Cooling duct
 

GoPro adapter for my Mobius action camera


New frame to hold the mainboard and MOSFET board


Raspberry Pi Camera Holder



 

"Cooling duct"

Are you sure? It looks like either a painful sex toy, or a toilet seat for a midget.

How many failed prints and pasta incidents? Super impressed by the quality you're getting already.