Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts Hi! I'm a Industrial Product Design student who has been looking into the RepRap scene for about a month now as I want my very own printer. I have experience with printing, but obviously not with making one myself. I've been doing research on a few different RepRap printers and I've decided to go for a Kossel cause of it's speed, which would be useful for rapid prototyping, and it's high quality prints. However, none of the existing Kossel kits that are out there on the market, appeal to me due to my limited price budget (maximum of about 600 EUR) or just not satisfied with the specifications of the kit. As a result, I've been working on my own (rather extensive?) part list for a few weeks now, with the goal to achieve the highest quality prints and the biggest print surface for about 600 EUR. Right now, I've settled on a Duet board with nema 17 stepper motors with a stepping angle of 0.9° (running at 24V), a heated bed, auto calibration and most likely an E3D V6 hotend and V-Rollers for the linear motion. The remaining parts that I haven't decided on yet, are the extruder, the size of the aluminum extrusions, the rod ends for the carbon fiber rods and the print surface. The current list of possibilities are the following: Aluminum Extrusions: [list] [*] Robotdigg 2020 XL kit (3x 750mm for vertical, 9x 360 mm for horizontal) (are these compatible with V-Rollers?) [*] 3x 1000 mm V-Slot 2040 (vertical) and 9x Misumi 500 mm 2020 (horizontal) ( [/list] Extruder: [list] [*] Delta Sextruder [*] Flex3Drive [*] Vaeder V-Struder [*] 3Dator Bowden extruder [*] Titan Extruder [*] Wade's Geared Extruder [/list] Carbon fiber rods (also depends on length of the extrusions) [list] [*] Traxxas rod ends [*] Hayden's Magnetic rod ends [/list] The full list of the part list are available on the following spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YFp17N3WIRkA57VGSRAJhTXWwdasqm7V05cCWJoSvKY/edit#gid=0 The cost for the preferred 500x1000 builds with magnetic rods is 488,16 EUR without shipping, printed parts and fans. I assume along with the shipping costs to Belgium (which are probably the next things I'm going to add to the spreadsheet) and the printed parts, the price will be bumped up significantly and I really want to keep the price below the 600 EUR. I'd like to add that I have acces to my school's Fablab incase I need to make a part myself. Feel free to give me your input on the choices I've made, the current choices I still have to make and maybe even alternatives to some of the current options I've found. https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,742373#msg-742373 Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:40:46 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748965#msg-748965 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748965#msg-748965 dc42 Delta Machines Wed, 15 Feb 2017 15:09:53 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748786#msg-748786 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748786#msg-748786 Riggi Delta Machines Wed, 15 Feb 2017 05:56:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748295#msg-748295 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748295#msg-748295
As for cloned extruders. I am talking about the E3D titan. This is a very good extruder and a real step forwards. Its fairly reasonably priced too at around £45. The Trianglelabs clone which is around £30 might/might not be as good, I've ordered a couple as I want to see how they work and you can buy a y-adaptor to try out twin extruder printing. Sure you can print an extruder - I have some of these as well, and some do nearly as well as the titan, some do not. How many printed extruders are geared at this optimal 3:1 ratio with low-wear, precisely engineered gears, have a fully guided filament path, are very easy to load/swap filaments with and happily run off a pancake stepper saving 200g of mass for delta/corexy and are happy to print flexible filament?

I would always advise people starting out that spending money on a good frame/rails/good electronics is money well spent and that saving money on hotend/extruder etc.. is a reasonable compromise. They can (and probably will) be upgraded later. When you start out £50 for a hotend is too much, once you are printing a lot its not a big spend, to get reliable extrusion, with the minimum of jams/rebuilds.

I started out doing 3D printing on a shoestring, and have also tried spending a lot more money. Both approaches have their merits.]]> DjDemonD Delta Machines Tue, 14 Feb 2017 04:22:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748267#msg-748267 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748267#msg-748267
A clone extruder well that a first, a extruder is not that complex I never consider any extruder as a clone and never will they just different model and even a printed one will do the job alright and will not affect the quality of the print at all if it working and pushing enough filament for your speed.

Buying a clone hotend to start and save money to put it elsewhere like better electronic or rails or magnetic joint will help you get better quality print than getting an original and buying poor electronic or bad RC car joint because you try to cut corner to save money. A hotend is the easiest thing to upgrade later, we cant say that for rails/frame or joint or others parts of the printer.

You are said you are tight on budget so start with good component where it count, get it running and printing THEN upgrade the inferior component later specially the one that dont require a rebuild of the machine/frame. (hotend,extruder,heatbed and electronic are some component you can upgrade easy but I can argue that starting with bad electronic/firmware is not the way to go, some can be very hard to setup and tune to give good result but there nothing wrong starting with a old computer PSU you have laying around then upgrade to a 24V one later or starting without a sensor and do calibration manually with a piece of paper or starting without a heatbed if you dont care much about ABS ( PLA,TPE and even PETG work on blue tape)]]> GroupB Delta Machines Tue, 14 Feb 2017 03:21:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748133#msg-748133 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,748133#msg-748133 Riggi Delta Machines Mon, 13 Feb 2017 15:03:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747838#msg-747838 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747838#msg-747838 DjDemonD Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:50:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747835#msg-747835 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747835#msg-747835
Quote
titeuf007
for the price it has everything you search without brainstorming
you have great build design,large print surface,smoothieboard,etc etc

It's not a Smoothieboard, it's the MKS closed-source rip-off of the open-source Smoothieboard design.]]> dc42 Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:44:03 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747834#msg-747834 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747834#msg-747834 you have great build design,large print surface,smoothieboard,etc etc]]> titeuf007 Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 17:42:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747814#msg-747814 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747814#msg-747814 DjDemonD Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 16:01:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747812#msg-747812 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747812#msg-747812 fr.aliexpress.com]


you should buy this model..
a long review has been made check youtube]]> titeuf007 Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 15:57:33 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747680#msg-747680 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747680#msg-747680 Riggi Delta Machines Sun, 12 Feb 2017 07:19:48 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747401#msg-747401 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,747401#msg-747401 titeuf007 Delta Machines Sat, 11 Feb 2017 08:02:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745592#msg-745592 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745592#msg-745592
Also I've just taken a look at the technical drawings of the carriages, and the holes on the carriages never align with the holes on the metal carriages for open ended belts I was going to use from Robotdigg, even when I compare them to all the other igus carriages available in their T rail guide systems. Maybe I missed an igus rail and carriage that does fit, but it seems like the igus rails and carriages won't fit my Robotdigg metal carriages. I'd have to use 3D printed carriages otherwise, but I think I prefer not to go for plastic ones.]]> Riggi Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 12:29:29 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745527#msg-745527 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745527#msg-745527
Quote
Riggi
You do realise as well that that TW-04-12-LLZ is 10,52 EUR for only one carriage right? The price for a TW-04-12 with a rail of 600 mm (same length as the Robotdigg ones) is 28,51 EUR. For 3 of those rails with carriage it would be 85,53 EUR already, which is actually more expensive than the Robotdigg ones and with less certainty how they will perform because not a lot of people use them.


i don t know how you calcule..it s 68usd without shipping cost and duty taxes! you live in belgium so you are pretty sure to have taxes!
[www.robotdigg.com]

you will have perhaps 34usd to paid for shipping cost (i have checked) so almost 100usd without taxes..
lots of people or company use igus rail..you should check a little ;)


dc42: i have checked but i ve found nothing for 20*20mm only 20*15 but you have carriage available for this size it s not a problem i think]]> titeuf007 Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 10:15:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745484#msg-745484 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745484#msg-745484
Quote
titeuf007
yes it fit i have checked it s not for nothing if i had them on my list!
for carriage it s compatible with 20*15mm that you can find on aliexpress
the size is identical with robodig or hiwin

All the carriage designs I have come across - including the Robotdigg metal carriages with built-in belt tensioners - use 20x20mm fixing centres. The corresponding Hiwin parts are called "long body" carriages. Perhaps Igus has those too.]]> dc42 Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 07:51:18 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745441#msg-745441 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745441#msg-745441 Riggi Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 05:46:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745439#msg-745439 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745439#msg-745439 for carriage it s compatible with 20*15mm that you can find on aliexpress
the size is identical with robodig or hiwin]]> titeuf007 Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 05:38:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745436#msg-745436 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745436#msg-745436
Finally I haven't seen a lot of people use the Igus rails. Even after a quick google search, I didn't find that many results.]]> Riggi Delta Machines Sun, 05 Feb 2017 05:23:07 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745382#msg-745382 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745382#msg-745382 [www.igus.fr]

it will be better build quality,with no duty taxes and fast delivering ..and less expansive!!
TW-04-12-LLZ cost 10,5e for one unit]]> titeuf007 Delta Machines Sat, 04 Feb 2017 19:53:06 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745217#msg-745217 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745217#msg-745217
I'm kinda wary of using a clone head over an E3D V6 because I have heard about some issues people have with clone E3D V6'. Maybe I should settle for a E3D Lite then instead. I actually thought an E3D Lite could only print PLA but apparently it can also print ABS. I don't think I'll be printing in any "exotic" filaments anytime soon anyways so maybe it's better to go for a Lite instead. I'll also check out some printed extruders I could use perhaps.

And apparently I didn't seem to check Motedis for prices. The prices there are more do-able. I did check out Ooznest but the prices there too high, along with the shipping costs. I guess I'll be looking for parts from Motedis I guess!

Also, what linear rails would you guys recommend from Robotdigg? They have plenty of rails really. I've found these though (which are classified for a Kossel XL [www.robotdigg.com]) but they are a bit expensive I think?

Thanks for the suggestions!]]> Riggi Delta Machines Sat, 04 Feb 2017 06:04:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745199#msg-745199 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745199#msg-745199 Motedis They will work out much cheaper for you they are based in south Germany so shipping will be much less.

However if you want to use rollers then you should consider OpenBuilds extrusions for the vertical elements along with there Vee Wheels you can get them at Ooznest (There may be other dealers in Mainland EU)

would still recommend the Robotdigg corners tho

HTH Doug

Quote
Riggi
Yeah exactly. I'm sure I'll be messing around with everything when I have the printer up and running.

Today I did notice that the Duet board I was looking at, was actually a Duet 0.85 and not a Duet Wifi. The Duet Wifi is a lot more expensive but I think it's worth it to go for the Wifi over the 0.85, unless maybe I try to go for a Duet 0.85 along with a Wifi router (as stated here [blog.think3dprint3d.com]). I've also been checking the shipping costs for all the parts. The shipping costs for the aluminium extrusions are also so much higher than I expected. Right now I've actually made a new list for the XL (750 x 360 mm) instead of the 1000 x 500 mm I was looking at. The current price is 563,69 EUR (without fans, 3D printed parts or CNC-ed parts, Robotdigg shippings costs and maybe still missing some bolts/screws/nuts). I think I might have to make some more compromises to get the price lower.

Current list of "choices" I've made:
  • E3D V6 Hotend
  • Titan Extruder
  • 2020 XL Aluminium frame from Robotdigg (750 x 360 mm)
  • Duet Wifi
  • Nema 17 0.9° Steppers
  • Traxxas rods
  • V-Rollers (Still have to recheck if these are actually compatible with the Robotdigg aluminium extrusions)
  • Robotdigg's 2020 metal corners

What do you guys think? Should I stick with the Duet Wifi or should I grab a Duet 0.85 instead with a wireless router? Should I make any changes to the current list?
]]> dougal1957 Delta Machines Sat, 04 Feb 2017 04:45:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745170#msg-745170 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745170#msg-745170
Quote
Riggi
Yeah exactly. I'm sure I'll be messing around with everything when I have the printer up and running.

Today I did notice that the Duet board I was looking at, was actually a Duet 0.85 and not a Duet Wifi. The Duet Wifi is a lot more expensive but I think it's worth it to go for the Wifi over the 0.85, unless maybe I try to go for a Duet 0.85 along with a Wifi router (as stated here [blog.think3dprint3d.com]). I've also been checking the shipping costs for all the parts. The shipping costs for the aluminium extrusions are also so much higher than I expected. Right now I've actually made a new list for the XL (750 x 360 mm) instead of the 1000 x 500 mm I was looking at. The current price is 563,69 EUR (without fans, 3D printed parts or CNC-ed parts, Robotdigg shippings costs and maybe still missing some bolts/screws/nuts). I think I might have to make some more compromises to get the price lower.

Current list of "choices" I've made:
  • E3D V6 Hotend
  • Titan Extruder
  • 2020 XL Aluminium frame from Robotdigg (750 x 360 mm)
  • Duet Wifi
  • Nema 17 0.9° Steppers
  • Traxxas rods
  • V-Rollers (Still have to recheck if these are actually compatible with the Robotdigg aluminium extrusions)
  • Robotdigg's 2020 metal corners

What do you guys think? Should I stick with the Duet Wifi or should I grab a Duet 0.85 instead with a wireless router? Should I make any changes to the current list?

A couple of suggestions:

- check the price of buying the extrusions from Motedis in Germany instead of from Robotdigg
- consider using the E3D Lite hot end. As well as costing less, it's less fussy about the retraction amount than the all metal version. It's rated at 245C maximum so you can still print most common filaments with it.]]> dc42 Delta Machines Sat, 04 Feb 2017 02:44:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745155#msg-745155 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745155#msg-745155
if you chose .9 stepper you can still have a good enough resolution with 1/16 but the noise will still be much more than 1/32 ,1/64,1/128 or 1/256 of the wifi

Your not able to order V-slot extrusion locally to reduce the shipping cost maybe even cut them close enough for you to further remove the extra cost of long box?

For extrusion the less time they spend in mail and the less travel they do the best, you don't want bend extrusion. I was lucky I guess there was a seller in canada 45 minute from my house with pretty decent price and had all the size.

If you are really on tight budget I say cut corner somewhere else, not on electronic and rails system, extruder and the head.. start with a printed extruder ( still use a Airstripper with a mk8 drive gear from robotdigg) and a clone head, I use one and make pretty good print but if you do make sure to replace the thermistor by the one robotdigg sell, clone one are garbage and not 3950 and also use the mk8 .4 nozzle they sell its a good quality one, all shinny inside and I recommend they all metal push fit they are good. the clone are like a hybrid between e3d lite and metal , they have the tube going into that stop at the base of the heatsink and the rest is metal, I have no trouble printing pla or ngen/tpe at 240C with them. All I did was to polish the thermal tube a little, they also sell full metal thermal if needed, I got a couple but never used them.]]> GroupB Delta Machines Sat, 04 Feb 2017 00:41:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745124#msg-745124 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745124#msg-745124 Riggi Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:56:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745121#msg-745121 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745121#msg-745121 DjDemonD Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:37:47 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745118#msg-745118 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745118#msg-745118
And alright I'll go for some rails instead. Thanks!]]> Riggi Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:31:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745112#msg-745112 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745112#msg-745112 DjDemonD Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:13:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745110#msg-745110 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745110#msg-745110 nebbian Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:11:55 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745106#msg-745106 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745106#msg-745106
My only reservation when recommending duetwifi to newcomers is that its state-of-the-art but has a price tag to match and you just can't be sure you'll love 3D printing or be patient enough for it. This is why ramps/mega is popular, its cheap and it manages to get you 80% of the way there, the remaining 20% costs 7 times as much, but that's life isn't it?]]> DjDemonD Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:00:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745098#msg-745098 Re: Building a Kossel: Need advice on final parts https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?178,742373,745098#msg-745098
Today I did notice that the Duet board I was looking at, was actually a Duet 0.85 and not a Duet Wifi. The Duet Wifi is a lot more expensive but I think it's worth it to go for the Wifi over the 0.85, unless maybe I try to go for a Duet 0.85 along with a Wifi router (as stated here [blog.think3dprint3d.com]). I've also been checking the shipping costs for all the parts. The shipping costs for the aluminium extrusions are also so much higher than I expected. Right now I've actually made a new list for the XL (750 x 360 mm) instead of the 1000 x 500 mm I was looking at. The current price is 563,69 EUR (without fans, 3D printed parts or CNC-ed parts, Robotdigg shippings costs and maybe still missing some bolts/screws/nuts). I think I might have to make some more compromises to get the price lower.

Current list of "choices" I've made:
  • E3D V6 Hotend
  • Titan Extruder
  • 2020 XL Aluminium frame from Robotdigg (750 x 360 mm)
  • Duet Wifi
  • Nema 17 0.9° Steppers
  • Traxxas rods
  • V-Rollers (Still have to recheck if these are actually compatible with the Robotdigg aluminium extrusions)
  • Robotdigg's 2020 metal corners

What do you guys think? Should I stick with the Duet Wifi or should I grab a Duet 0.85 instead with a wireless router? Should I make any changes to the current list?]]> Riggi Delta Machines Fri, 03 Feb 2017 16:33:17 -0500