Folger Tech Kossel Delta 2020 Full 3D Printer Kit w/Auto-Level

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seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

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Seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

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Rattfink

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seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

I did the same. can you link where you got your steppers? I am not sure but I think I am getting some missed steps and its shifting my prints half way through

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wrangellboy

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Seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

I replaced the steppers as well. I personally think folgertech should have provided better/bigger steppers instead of aluminum corners on the rev b as it solves the heat problem and is likely cheaper (they already have to buy steppers, buying higher torque ones is an incremental expense). The only drawback is space under the bed gets a bit tight with bigger steppers, especially if you have dampers on them which I do.

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Seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

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davidf01

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Seriouspete
I melted and warped the original corners on my kit, then replaced those with aluminum, and replaced the steppers with some really nice strong steppers. Now my machine is super quiet and the motors barely get warm over hours of use. If it's a quick print they are cool to the touch, since they are all metal. I can't recommend replacing those steppers enough.

Thanks for the reply. Now I'm thinking I should replace the steppers. Do you have a link to the ones you used? Does it fit the printer pretty easy with not many modifications?

Thanks

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cman8
+1 On this rework. I downloaded and printed this design and works 10x better than the old extruder used to. Havent had any issues with it and prints are getting dialed in for sure. Between this and the dual fans on the hot end, everything is printing nice including overhangs which is what I was having issues with.

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Rattfink
I should add that Hatchbox is pretty cheap and has been pretty good for me - plus amazon prime w/free shipping

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SlowFoot

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davidf01

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thevisad

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davidf01

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SlowFoot

I got a couple of fans for cooling plastic and electronics, a spare thermistor (to check temperatures), and some cork to insulate the heat bed and motors. Oh, and a mk8 extruder pulley, you print the rest of the extruder once the printer is up and running. Most the parts you will want to have for upgrades you can print. You are going from buyer to maker now.

Cheers!

Thanks everyone for the advice. Slowfoot, Did you see a need for the fans for cooling, cork and the mk8 extruder? Do you think those things offer extra protection or are better quality parts?
Is it worth me adding an LCD display or should I just add one later if I find it nessary?

Yes, you will definitely need cooling fans on the motors or you will melt the corners. The cork assists in keeping the temperature in the bed and not on your electronics. It would be a good idea to replace the extruder as well, maybe as the first print.

Thanks again for the advice. Do you have links or parts numbers of the parts you bought? And is it easy to hook the fans up for a beginer like myself? Also I have read that this printer produces good prints but I cant fine specs on what the printing resolution is, Do you know the specs on this printer? Also it looks like the REV B printer have metal corners, is this true or is the picture on the web site not accurate?

I got my stuff from RepRapMe together with some cheep PLA. They are located in Denmark so there might be more convenient sources if you are located outside the EU. The fans for motors and electronics can run directly from the power supply.
The the cooling for the plastic can be controlled by the electronics and the G-code, The printer will work without it so you can add it later, you have to print some parts for it anyhow. It will improve print quality. The kits extruder is not the best for the task and replacing it is an easy improvement. You will not be the first doing all this so I think you can make it.

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moeman
hey all! new to this forum. I received my kit from folgertech and finally got it to the point to start configuring. In their configuration manual they mention lowering the hot head until it pinches a piece of paper between the hothead and the bed. What I am experiencing is the hothead will only go down to a specific height and not go any further even though instructions were sent. Has anyone else experienced this, and if so how were you able to make it work.

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thevisad
I grabbed mine off of ebay from a local seller. With shipping I think I spent 12.50 per stepper motor.

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davidf01
Thanks for the info on Hatchbox. I ordered the printer with one spool filament from Folger. Is Hatchbox better then the filament I'll get from Folger? I will try it on my next order.

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Rattfink

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cman8
+1 On this rework. I downloaded and printed this design and works 10x better than the old extruder used to. Havent had any issues with it and prints are getting dialed in for sure. Between this and the dual fans on the hot end, everything is printing nice including overhangs which is what I was having issues with.

Hey there - i like the motor coolers that you have in green - could you link the STL?

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cman8
Does everybody agree the steppers are a huge upgrade? Better prints?

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davidf01
So do the replacement steppers just mount and plug in and are ready to go or is there some kind of configuration changes that have to be made?

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davidf01
So do the replacement steppers just mount and plug in and are ready to go or is there some kind of configuration changes that have to be made?

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Koenig

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cman8
Does everybody agree the steppers are a huge upgrade? Better prints?

I've upgraded mine twice....

Once to get rid of the heat warping problem, just bought three motors from Folgertech, the same that came with the kit for extruder.

Just recently I upgraded the steppers to 0.9 degree steppers to get a bit more resolution/precision

The first upgrade I did did nothing for the quality of the prints, the second did a little to the print quality but not really worth it, but I would definitely get the 0.9 degree steppers if I were sourcing parts for a new printer, but as an upgrade.....
I upgraded the electronics when I upgraded the steppers the last time, the increase in steps/mm for those steppers is pushing the mega beyond it's capabilities.

Actually the only things left from Folgertechs kit I have left is:

Powersupply
Hotbed
Hotend
Horizontal extrusions
40mm fan (hot end)
Endstop switches
Springs for belts
Acrylic mount for the hotbed
Acrylic mount for the powersupply
Acrylic endstops (lower)
Some bolts and nuts (have changed most of them though)

The rest is changed.

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wrangellboy

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Koenig

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cman8
Does everybody agree the steppers are a huge upgrade? Better prints?

I've upgraded mine twice....

Once to get rid of the heat warping problem, just bought three motors from Folgertech, the same that came with the kit for extruder.

Just recently I upgraded the steppers to 0.9 degree steppers to get a bit more resolution/precision

The first upgrade I did did nothing for the quality of the prints, the second did a little to the print quality but not really worth it, but I would definitely get the 0.9 degree steppers if I were sourcing parts for a new printer, but as an upgrade.....
I upgraded the electronics when I upgraded the steppers the last time, the increase in steps/mm for those steppers is pushing the mega beyond it's capabilities.

Actually the only things left from Folgertechs kit I have left is:

Powersupply
Hotbed
Hotend
Horizontal extrusions
40mm fan (hot end)
Endstop switches
Springs for belts
Acrylic mount for the hotbed
Acrylic mount for the powersupply
Acrylic endstops (lower)
Some bolts and nuts (have changed most of them though)

The rest is changed.

What electronics did you upgrade to? I've been looking at the Duet, but it's too expensive to buy the newest version from the UK and replikeo is a revision behind and looks to have shoddy QC. Don't see anyone on here mentioning smoothieboard or it's clones...

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Seriouspete
These are the ones I bought, Ebay. I'd buy them again if I ever build another printer.

Edit. I also upgraded my electronics to a Smoothieboard, I am really happy with that too. Makes configuration extremely easy, and it's a High Quality board that works right out of the box. Their documentation is pretty good too.

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cman8
Sure. here it is on thingiverse

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davidf01
So I can get this straight I should plan on updating or adding:

1. update stepper motors to either the 76oz motors Seriouspete posted or the 0.9° step angle motors Koenig posted a few posts above.
2. update electronics to a Smoothieboard or some other board
3. update the extruder
4. Add some cooling fans to the steppers, or will upgrading them be good enough?

Anything else I'm missing?

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3D52

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davidf01
So I can get this straight I should plan on updating or adding:

1. update stepper motors to either the 76oz motors Seriouspete posted or the 0.9° step angle motors Koenig posted a few posts above.
2. update electronics to a Smoothieboard or some other board
3. update the extruder
4. Add some cooling fans to the steppers, or will upgrading them be good enough?

Anything else I'm missing?

What I would do if I were you, is get the printer, put it together, get it set up and working rite then you can upgrade the components if you want to. It prints really well the way it is. I've had mine about 3 1/2 months and use it daily and it's stock but now I want to make it better. Just my 2 cents worth..

Steve