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First printer, which variant do I go for?

Posted by samuel235 
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 01:24PM
So, after a few months of not being able to do much due to life commitments, i'm back and ready to build!

I'm thinking that for my first printer i would like to take lymphomaniac's advice and go down the route of a P3Steel frame and then source the other parts separately from a reputable source with high quality parts to complete a full 3D printer. If anyone has any suggestions, i would be more than willing to take them on board, anything down to a change of build or just some simple pointers for my first build. In the future i would like to build a H-Bot or even a Core XY machine but i think that the Prusa style printer for my first would be the most simplistic.

What software do you guys use for the arduino/controller board?
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 01:40PM
Quote
samuel235
What software do you guys use for the arduino/controller board?

If you are starting from scratch, I would suggest a 32-bit controller over an 8-bit one. If you are having to buy the controller and drivers, you could end up spending almost as much on the 8-bit as a 32-bit one. Also, not having to recompile/download firmware to make simple changes will save you a lot of headaches in the future.

I went with the Duet 0.8.5 for my CoreXY and Delta printer. While the CoreXY doesn't see a lot of advantages with the extra compute power, having a really nice web and print server in one unit is nice. I didn't have to spend the extra $35 for a Pi to run Octoprint on.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 02:43PM
Quote
ElmoC
If you are starting from scratch, I would suggest a 32-bit controller over an 8-bit one. If you are having to buy the controller and drivers, you could end up spending almost as much on the 8-bit as a 32-bit one. Also, not having to recompile/download firmware to make simple changes will save you a lot of headaches in the future.

So any 32-bit controller would be preferred then for not much more costing. Cool, thank you!

Quote
ElmoC
I went with the Duet 0.8.5 for my CoreXY and Delta printer. While the CoreXY doesn't see a lot of advantages with the extra compute power, having a really nice web and print server in one unit is nice. I didn't have to spend the extra $35 for a Pi to run Octoprint on.

I was starting to think about the RPi route for the web and print server function, i was also thinking about having a webcam on there too as i'm out most of the day while it would be printing. I will investigate to see if there are another ways to do this, it is not a vital function, but would be nice to have.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 04:58PM
ElmoC, what would your view on this kit be, if you don't mind me asking?

The option to not take the upgraded RAMPS system and then i could purchase the DUET separately like you advised.

[orballoprinting.com]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2016 04:59PM by samuel235.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 05:02PM
Quote
samuel235
ElmoC, what would your view on this kit be, if you don't mind me asking?

The option to not take the upgraded RAMPS system and then i could purchase the DUET separately like you advised.

[orballoprinting.com]

Just doing a quick look at it, it looks okay for the price. I would have to do a lot more research to know how good it is. I'm sure there are others with a lot more experience with those printers that could help you.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 05:47PM
Does the price look like you would expect it to be? Not too cheap for the contents of the kit? I appreciate your help, thank you.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 06:54PM
Quote
samuel235
Does the price look like you would expect it to be? Not too cheap for the contents of the kit? I appreciate your help, thank you.

For the price, it looks okay. Not a big fan of how they are selling the Ramps on it - It comes with a cheap Chinese knock-off but if you want a proper one, you can pay us another $30. Also, the hotend sounds like it is a clone of some sort. The hotend is not a part you want to cheap out on. My guess, based on the description, is that it is an E3D V6 clone. Be ready to replace that.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
July 31, 2016 06:59PM
I found this thread about some people who ordered this printer. It might give you some insight on if you want it or not.

[forums.reprap.org]
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 01, 2016 04:49AM
Hmm, not too sure about the quality of the parts, again. This is why i would like to use a local supplier for the hardware i think. May i ask what your first printer was?
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 01, 2016 08:10AM
My first printer was a Printrbot Simple Metal. It is a really nice little printer. I have upgraded the bed size and added a heated bed to it. I have not had much luck with the DC powered heaters and have started using AC ones with a lot better results.

My second printer is a CoreXY printer I built.

[www.openbuilds.com]
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 01, 2016 10:12AM
When i was looking at a printer a while back i was looking at the printrbot simple, but then i went against the pre-built option. If you was in my shoes and looking to get a printer for the first time, would you go the route of pre-built, kit or self sourcing parts? Be honest, even if its the more expensive route.

I have been reading your build the last couple of days, this is what inspired me to want to build a CoreXY. What a coincidence i'v been looking through your build without knowing it was you!
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 01, 2016 10:20AM
Quote
samuel235
When i was looking at a printer a while back i was looking at the printrbot simple, but then i went against the pre-built option. If you was in my shoes and looking to get a printer for the first time, would you go the route of pre-built, kit or self sourcing parts? Be honest, even if its the more expensive route.

I have been reading your build the last couple of days, this is what inspired me to want to build a CoreXY. What a coincidence i'v been looking through your build without knowing it was you!

I got the kit version of the Simple Metal. Not because it was cheaper, but so I could do the assembly. Personally, I learn more about something working on the nut and bolt level. I am glad I had the experience with the Printrbot before I started on the CoreXY printer. I had a much better understanding of how everything worked. I spent a lot more on the CoreXY printer than I would have if I bought a pre-built unit, but the experience I got from the CoreXY is priceless.
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 01, 2016 11:07AM
I think the combination of your input and how alike we seem, i too learn from being hands on with the hardware just like you mentioned about yourself, has made me settle on a kit. I would like to stay with the open hardware/open source option and go with a reprap, and because of the community i will go the prusa route i think, so now i just need to find a reputable company with a good kit with options to allow me to have what i want. I would like the option to be able to choose my own hotend, i have been reading that the Orballo kit we mentioned has been upgraded the last few months with some mods, but i would still like to choose my own hotend like mentioned, that could very well be a clone version of the "Complete Hotend All Metal V6".
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 02, 2016 07:15AM
The choice of going for a Prusa is a good one I think, mainly because there is a lot of experience and help out there.
Finding the right kit is always a challenge, but with so many people using one, I am sure you will find the best compromise.

I would suggest to go with a 32bits controller. The new DuetWifi looks promising. I ordered one, but don't have it yet.
The reason for this is that if you want to go bigger, after you gained the needed experience, you might wantr to switch to a Delta type printer.
And then you need a 32 bit controller. My Ramps controller is struggling to deliver the speed my printer can handle.

As to webcam on your print, I played around with an OctoPi and it works as advertised. But I did not keep it. I simply did not like the interface.
It is still mounted on my printer but I do not switch it on anymore.

Finally, yes, make sure you start with a good hot end. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to print on a yet to be tuned printer, with a bad hot end. You never know if the problem is in the movement, settings, filament or hot end. Remove 2 of these options by using a good hot end and buy a good quality filament for the first prints.

Most of all, have fun building and debugging.


Lykle
________________________________________________

Co-creator of the Zesty Nimble, worlds lightest Direct Drive extruder.
[zesty.tech]
Re: First printer, which variant do I go for?
August 02, 2016 05:03PM
A Wilson II has been suggested from various people now too. But i'm failing to see much of a difference apart from the quality of the 3d printed parts and the frame being extruded aluminium, does anyone know if these are the main differences and if they're worth it?

I do like the size of the community that comes with the Prusa i3, that is a huge advantage over most 3D printers. You're right, finding the right kit to purchase is the main thing that is getting me, this is one reason i like the look of the Wilson II build, they're all made by Marty himself (i think) and therefor there is no clones and bad quality of the parts. But then again, there is also the P3Steel - Toolson edition Mk2. This seems to be made to a high quality too.

If i were to make a delta printer down the line, i would make it as a second printer, i don't like the idea of using parts from a current printer to make a different variant, i would like to own the different variants all at the same time to be honest. Especially if it came to a delta, i would use a delta for any prints that have a decent length on them that any other printer wouldn't be able to allocate for.

The webcam was just a 'cool feature' that i wouldn't need really, would just be nice to monitor my print away from the printer itself. I would however really like the idea of having a web interface that comes with a 32-bit board, but that is something i can address later on down the line.

A good hotend, yes, that is my number one thing i'm requesting. If it doesn't come with the kit i plan to purchase i will make sure to purchase a second hotend separately to make sure i have the best chance to make some quality prints while troubleshooting, to help me locate issues easier.
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