Hey Guys, Im a student from Hamilton and am currently looking at building/buying my first 3d Printer. I will be asking a lot of questions and being that you guys are my local know-it-all's.. I hope you don't mind me harassing you all. I look forward to my new hobby and hope I will get tons of help from all of you. Thanks in advance Steve https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,181803#msg-181803 Sun, 14 Jun 2026 16:11:53 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,772988#msg-772988 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,772988#msg-772988
Using a MKS Sbase 1.4 board.

printer is a Tevo Little Monster.


Next try will be a real smoothieboard but would hate to see the marlin board be wasted.]]> TheZombi122 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:08:39 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,770032#msg-770032 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,770032#msg-770032
Adam]]> makerparts Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Wed, 24 May 2017 18:59:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,754280#msg-754280 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,754280#msg-754280 zdchan Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Wed, 08 Mar 2017 12:18:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,188480#msg-188480 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,188480#msg-188480 I have my Eckertech machine now and it works awesome. I have been printing since the day I finished the build. I am getting fantastic prints. Any issues I have encountered they have been able to solve over email for the most part in less than a few hours. Sometimes I get a response within minutes. Very good customer support. Well worth the little extra over buying from other local suppliers. IMO. Also their web forum is allot of help aswell... sometimes you wont get a response right away on there but I understand after seeing how crazy busy they usually are when I have been there. Dont take my word for their machine, I guarantee if you get one it will sell itself to you!]]> Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:40:05 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,188429#msg-188429 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,188429#msg-188429 -------------------------------------------------------
> Well I have made up my mind and I am going to go
> with the Eckertech Printer the Ecksbot. I really
> like that they have created a soild version of the
> Prusa Mendel and incorporated the best parts of
> the Mendel. Also the support that I will receive
> will be better than any other dealer I have spoken
> with. Anyone have any suggestions as to what are
> the first few things I should try printing as test
> pieces? I wont have for a couple-few weeks but I
> will start looking at programs and settings soon.
> I look forward to starting my new journey into 3D
> printing. :D

Good choice. While I have not made an Ecksbot, I'm in the same town as Bruce, and have seen the design evolve. It works well, with their custom hot end. I am using their heated bed design for my mendel and it works great, heats up fast, etc.

(My mendel plastic and elctronics all came from Eckertech)

-Rob A>]]> RobA Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 28 Feb 2013 14:12:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183655#msg-183655 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183655#msg-183655 Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Sun, 10 Feb 2013 15:48:59 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183443#msg-183443 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183443#msg-183443
It's great. There were some teething problems, which they worked out for me, but it's mostly been slice & print since I got it. :)

I would recommend my spool hook for though. :)]]> Komb' Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Sat, 09 Feb 2013 14:22:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183229#msg-183229 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,183229#msg-183229 Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:22:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182830#msg-182830 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182830#msg-182830
Much thanks Nophead.]]> Komb' Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:10:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182821#msg-182821 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182821#msg-182821 -------------------------------------------------------
> It is every part the machine cant make itself. It
> is analogous to biology were vitamins are
> essential nutrients that an organism needs but
> can't synthesise itself.

I like the way that is put :).

Thanks for the quick responses guys.]]> Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 13:24:32 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182813#msg-182813 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182813#msg-182813 nophead Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:46:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182807#msg-182807 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182807#msg-182807
Then you get the Electronics, motors, wires, switches. I don't think they are technically "vitamins", but you usually find them the same places that sell the rod kits.]]> Komb' Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 12:28:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182766#msg-182766 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182766#msg-182766 Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 10:12:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182757#msg-182757 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182757#msg-182757
I have a prusa now but would say that it really depends on the quality of your work and the vitamins you choose..

-joe]]> jtktam Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Thu, 07 Feb 2013 09:11:57 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182514#msg-182514 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182514#msg-182514 Thanks
Steve]]> Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Wed, 06 Feb 2013 11:01:36 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182368#msg-182368 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182368#msg-182368
My first printer was a Prusa v1. I learned so much building and tuning it.

There is probably far more info on assembling and tuning your basic Prusa than most other printers out there.

As for parts, I sell both Prusa and Wallace parts. You can get equally good Prusa parts from EckerTech.
They also sell there own variant.

For the "vitamins"(the metal bits) MixShop is good.

I would spring for a .5 J-head hotend from Hotends.com. It's solid and reliable. At .5 it doesn't clog easily letting you get the rest of the printer working. You can always get a finer nozzle later.

PLA vs ABS. I do most of my printing in ABS, but I'm doing production printing. I started with PLA as it works at lower temperatures and has a sweet smell while working. With PLA though, you need a fan more to cool the upper layers for quality looking prints, but you don't need to have a heated bed.

I would recommend getting a heated bed anyway for the flexibility. :)

Where to buy plastic? I've used 3DprinterStuff, MakerBot and EckerTech plastics and they are all good quality plastic.

MixShop has changed it's supplier from when I first ordered from there and I haven't really given the new stuff a try yet.

I hope this has been helpful,]]> Komb' Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Tue, 05 Feb 2013 22:08:39 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182179#msg-182179 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182179#msg-182179
Your questions about "best" printer is a can of worms. It would be like me posting to a car forums, and asking what is the best muscle car.

;)

That being said, I am partial to the Prusa because it is what I build (made 7 so far) They have a lot of support in the community, many people have made variations, and or modifications to them. But this is my personal opinion. Much of what I said could also apply to the Sells Mendle, or many other printers/kits out there.

I find the Prusa has a nice mix of reduced parts count, with just enough stuff to get a nice middle of the road printer. Once you make (and tune) your first printer, you can go forward, and print parts for any other printer you want to try.

As to printing in ABS vs PLA, Both materials have pro's and cons. I print 99% in ABS. I get consistent filament from my supplier, and I have the printers tuned to that material. Other people choose PLA for its positive qualities. My advice pick one and then stick with it while you tune your printer. Then once you have a printer that meets your expectations, you can experiment with other plastics; knowing any issues you have are probably not printer related.

Regards]]> fredlatesta Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Tue, 05 Feb 2013 07:56:52 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182081#msg-182081 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182081#msg-182081
Ive bought some parts and plastic from [www.voxelfactory.com] and it came within 2 days of ordering. Also bought a load of parts from www.mixshop.com with good results.

Fastenal is an easy place to get hardware, have gotten a load of stuff from them as well, and they have plenty of Hamilton locations.
A lot of local metal supply stores as well in Downtown Stoney Creek.]]> Cakeslob Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Mon, 04 Feb 2013 21:22:56 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182063#msg-182063 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182063#msg-182063 Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:42:02 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182035#msg-182035 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,182035#msg-182035
Questions are always welcome.

Answers depend on the experiences of the posters involved though.]]> Komb' Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:06:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,181876#msg-181876 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,181876#msg-181876
Ask away.


Regards]]> fredlatesta Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Mon, 04 Feb 2013 06:03:14 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,181803#msg-181803 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?50,181803,181803#msg-181803 Im a student from Hamilton and am currently looking at building/buying my first 3d Printer. I will be asking a lot of questions and being that you guys are my local know-it-all's.. I hope you don't mind me harassing you all. I look forward to my new hobby and hope I will get tons of help from all of you.
Thanks in advance
Steve]]> Scubasteve23 Canada, Toronto RepRap User Group Sun, 03 Feb 2013 21:30:28 -0500