My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build I'm looking for some suggestions. I purchased the gadgets3d complete kit, then had someone print up the parts for it so I could build my first printer. My goal was to have something up and running that was a proven design, nice build manual, etc. The kit was shipped really fast considering it came from China, and everything was packaged well, each of the different size nut, washers, bolts, etc in little zip lock baggies with the part discription written on them. Pretty impressive. As I started putting it together I found it was missing some screws, washers, but was able to source those either locally or from open build parts store. When I went to put the z-axis together I found that the ball screw nuts were missing. I had the threaded rod, but no nuts. They are a nut with a flange and three holes. These were to be screwed with M3 screws to the x-ends. I emailed asking about them and it turns out that they actually have two different kits that get shipped. One has the ball screw nuts with the lead screw already afixed to the motor. The other kit comes with a coupler, threaded rod and M8 nuts. The bad thing is that the printed parts they have you download and have printed only support the ball screw nut. You can't use a M8 nut. So they sent me two new files to have printed. So I got those printed and shipped to me, started putting it together to find out that these two parts are expecting M10 threaded rod with M10 nuts. Best I can tell it is this part: [www.thingiverse.com] The kit uses 10mm smooth rod for z-axis, 8mm smooth rod for x-axis and M8 threaded rod. Any ideas on how to use a printed part for M10 nuts when you only have M8 nuts? I really don't want to have to order two more x-ends. I looked at getting these: [store.makerstoolworks.com] but they have the ball screw nuts with the flange so they won't work with my parts either. Can I use M10 nuts with these lead screws? I can buy M10 nuts locally. Any other suggestions welcome, dave https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,281902#msg-281902 Fri, 15 May 2026 09:29:57 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,740980#msg-740980 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,740980#msg-740980
its missing some parts and being a custom machine from G3d the parts from thingiverse do not match

does anyone has the original STL files and could share them?]]> motymen General Mendel Topics Sat, 21 Jan 2017 17:23:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,341012#msg-341012 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,341012#msg-341012
dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Wed, 16 Apr 2014 21:28:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,322020#msg-322020 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,322020#msg-322020 riceAndWater General Mendel Topics Sat, 08 Mar 2014 23:15:17 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,313514#msg-313514 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,313514#msg-313514
I was also able to print faster. Now to push it till it breaks . . . right?

I made a bowden plate, it holds the tubing anchor that I got from HD and bolts onto the hot end instead of the extruder. Pretty simple actually.

I also printed my first tall object 62mm, tall for me anyway. The new lead screws with the printed couplers pretty much removed my z-wobble. With the m8 rod I had a very discernable z-wobble about every 8 layers. Now I cannot see any wobble with my eye, but do see a little bit if I use a jewlers loupe. Happy with the results.

dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Thu, 20 Feb 2014 09:32:30 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,312723#msg-312723 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,312723#msg-312723
I'm printing on Ultem sheeting and it holds the parts very well, need to cool it down before trying to remove the part, but it is well worth it.

Now looking to add auto bed leveling, and thinking about moving the extruder from the x-carriage to the top of the frame, and running a bowden tube from the extruder to the hot-end. I'm surprised that I can't find anyone that has already done this on a mendelmax. I hope this will let me print faster without the extra load from the extruder on the x-carriage. I don't know, maybe someone already tried and found out it was a waste of time, but who know.

dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Tue, 18 Feb 2014 17:05:24 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,300632#msg-300632 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,300632#msg-300632
Now on to designing replacement x-ends to use the threaded rod I bought as replacement for the M8 threaded rod.

Things I learned:

If the hot end gets too hot, it will melt too much of the filament and jam the extruder.
If the bed gets too hot, the part will collapse a bit
Printed parts are hard to get off Ultem sheeting, and it helps to let the bed cool down.
Not all filament is created equal.
Use lock washers on the M4 bolts that hold the extruder to the hot end. If you don't they will rattle loose halfway through your print.
Level your bed after it is heated

dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Fri, 24 Jan 2014 23:28:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296972#msg-296972 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296972#msg-296972
dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Sat, 18 Jan 2014 08:17:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296824#msg-296824 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296824#msg-296824 riceAndWater General Mendel Topics Sat, 18 Jan 2014 00:52:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296777#msg-296777 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296777#msg-296777
I need to make x-ends that will support the maker leadscrew. Their parts use bushings and not lm10uu bearings so I couldn't use them.

I did find a part from a guy on another forum, that has the x-ends that will work with 8mm x smooth rods, lm10uu bearins and M8 threaded rods. If you are interested I'll ask if they can be shared. I "think" they will work without having to do the M10 nut superglue trick I did.

For the record, I contested my payment with Paypal and had gadgets3d refund me $42 so I could buy the maker tools leadscrews.

dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Fri, 17 Jan 2014 21:08:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296443#msg-296443 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,296443#msg-296443
I got the same Mendal Max kit from Gadgets 3D and have the same issues. Had to run to the hardware store 4 times already just to get the missing screws / nuts discovered during each of the build phases. I too am missing the critical ball screw and a GT2 belt. Gadgets 3D should really have posted the missing pieces on their site. In hind site, it's better to pay a higher price for a complete kit, plastics and screws, versus trying to go for pricing.

In any case, looks like the replacement X-ends you have don't use the bushings on the X-axis. The original design had the X-axis bushings to eliminate binding on the Z-axis.

Why not use the maker tool leadscrew and ball screw with the original X-ends?]]> riceAndWater General Mendel Topics Fri, 17 Jan 2014 09:34:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,293124#msg-293124 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,293124#msg-293124
At .9V I have to use a fan to cool the driver, but not much of a fan. Otherwise it gets pretty hot to the touch. The others don't seem to need any additional cooling.

thanks,
dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Sat, 11 Jan 2014 13:41:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282549#msg-282549 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282549#msg-282549
One of the reasons I bought this kit is that it included ball screws and nuts that I could bolt to the part, so no slippage. Was a dissappointment to not get those.

After getting the threaded rods on, I notice that the x-ends they had me print do not allow the x-axis idler, carriage, and drive to be aligned parallel to the x-axis rods. I had purchased some idler pulleys from here: [openbuildspartstore.com] so I used them instead of the bearings in the hope that the edge of the pulley would help keep the belt on the idler. I was able to use three M3 washers as shims and turned the gear on the motor around backwards to try and get them into closer aligment. How close in alignment do they need to be? Wherever these parts came from the alignment is off terribly.

I'm now ready to square and true everything up, then put on the electronics.

Here are some pictures. If you spot something I've done wrong please point it out.












dave
]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Fri, 20 Dec 2013 09:19:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282197#msg-282197 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282197#msg-282197
I was hoping to hear back from the vendor, but nothing yet.

dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Thu, 19 Dec 2013 14:39:09 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282154#msg-282154 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282154#msg-282154
The link below has a drawing of idea - red is m8 blue is bushing sized to m10
[drive.google.com]]]> n9jcv General Mendel Topics Thu, 19 Dec 2013 12:14:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282085#msg-282085 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282085#msg-282085
thanks
dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Thu, 19 Dec 2013 08:50:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282054#msg-282054 Re: My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,282054#msg-282054
Work with the dealer to get them to make things right. Since you bought a partial kit (no printed parts) there still will be some hassle. They should be able to point you to the stl's for the parts you have. The world has moved from 8mm thread rod to 10mm thread rod. The parts you are looking for are the "old" parts.

second choice:

Give up on these guys. Approach this as "I have a few parts and am starting from scratch". Look at the current designs and pick one. Compare the parts you need to what you have. Buy what you need. 10mm thread rod is cheap, motors and smooth rod - not so cheap.

It's tempting to try to do a little of both approaches. That's likely to drive you nuts in the end. The sooner you make the decision the better. Based on what you have said, I'd probably pick option number two....]]> uncle_bob General Mendel Topics Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:34:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,281902#msg-281902 My gadgets3d mendelmax 1.5 kit build https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,281902,281902#msg-281902
I purchased the gadgets3d complete kit, then had someone print up the parts for it so I could build my first printer. My goal was to have something up and running that was a proven design, nice build manual, etc.

The kit was shipped really fast considering it came from China, and everything was packaged well, each of the different size nut, washers, bolts, etc in little zip lock baggies with the part discription written on them. Pretty impressive.

As I started putting it together I found it was missing some screws, washers, but was able to source those either locally or from open build parts store.

When I went to put the z-axis together I found that the ball screw nuts were missing. I had the threaded rod, but no nuts. They are a nut with a flange and three holes. These were to be screwed with M3 screws to the x-ends. I emailed asking about them and it turns out that they actually have two different kits that get shipped. One has the ball screw nuts with the lead screw already afixed to the motor. The other kit comes with a coupler, threaded rod and M8 nuts. The bad thing is that the printed parts they have you download and have printed only support the ball screw nut. You can't use a M8 nut.

So they sent me two new files to have printed. So I got those printed and shipped to me, started putting it together to find out that these two parts are expecting M10 threaded rod with M10 nuts. Best I can tell it is this part: [www.thingiverse.com]

The kit uses 10mm smooth rod for z-axis, 8mm smooth rod for x-axis and M8 threaded rod. Any ideas on how to use a printed part for M10 nuts when you only have M8 nuts? I really don't want to have to order two more x-ends.

I looked at getting these: [store.makerstoolworks.com] but they have the ball screw nuts with the flange so they won't work with my parts either. Can I use M10 nuts with these lead screws? I can buy M10 nuts locally.

Any other suggestions welcome,
dave]]> dpeart General Mendel Topics Wed, 18 Dec 2013 22:29:39 -0500