Approx Cost of All Electronics?

Hello,

I just found out about this project by chance while reading up on 3D Printing. I'm very interested in this and believe that I'd be able to build a RepRap. I have access to a 3-Axis CNC Mill as well as lathes and sand-casting through my high-school, and I also have some friends with connections to places that can print parts. I don't have much knowledge of electronics beyond having built my own computer, but I am very eager to acquire the skills necessary. So, with that in mind, my only real barrier is the cost of the electronics. It seems like it would be a few hundred dollars, but could anyone give me a more exact estimate of what it would cost for someone living in the US?

Thanks!
kodex

The RRRF used to sell a complete V2 electronics kit for $150. Right now Zach (who runs the RRRF store) is busy transitioning to a V3 kit, for which not much information is available yet. It seems reasonable to expect a similar estimate.

In addition to that, you'd need an ATX power supply. These are typically easily available for free from junked PC's, so I'd not factor that in as cost. Then you'd need some soldering tools. There's a nice starter pack available at ladyada.net, that will give you a decent temperature controlled soldering iron, multimeter, cutters a very nice little vice for holding electronics boards or other small things. This kit is another $100, although that could be an investment with value beyond just this project. One consideration is that the RRRF appears to be moving to more SMD chips, which raises the difficulty level a notch or two.

Remember to factor in the cost of the motors, misc hardware, furnace cement, etc. as well. Motors are around $75 last I checked, and the furnace cement was $30 for a gallon at my local (Fort Collins, CO) store. Misc hardware such as rods, nuts, washers, screws etc are. MUCH more expensive (in the USA) if you try to do everything metric, I'd strongly suggest getting standard equivalents for everything. 5/16 Rod intead of M8 rod, etc. It may take a bit more time, but if your primary constraint is money, it'll be time well spent. I'd budget around $50 for the misc. hardware.

---

--
I'm building it with Baling Wire

If money is a big factor spend some time shopping for used steppers. I picked up the steppers in my repstrap used from the CNC Zone For Sale forum for only $10 and I got an extra stepper. They were unipolar though so I had to create a new stepper motor driver to get it to work, not a big deal though. The unipolar steppers also get less torque so I can't run them very fast. Anyway shop around!

---

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yes my Avatar is My RepStrap.....Isn't it pretty

For the latest Updates check my main site [www.repstrap.weebly.com] or my blog [www.pingiscoolest.blogspot.com].