Would anyone other than Vik like one?

Folk,

I have just finished printing a set of mendel parts on my newly completed mendel. They are pretty much the standard set (non-simplified), but with the wade geared extruder, nophead drive pulleys. Although I didn't get my parts through any such deal, I am going the reprap recommended route of producing two sets of parts for the cost of plastic and postage. I would like you to send me a photo once it's up and running, and make the two-set-pinkie-promise Vik mentioned. Parts are in an assortment of primary colours, all using Vik's PLA except the x-carriage and extruder which I printed in ABS just for a bit of extra heat resistance. I don't check the forums that regularly, so PM me if you are serious.

Cheers,
Len.

Hi there,

I'm very interested in this project too.
How many hours do you reckon it would take for a technically minded guy to make this?
I'm in Auckland too, so if you are demoing at any robotics groups, I'd love to know.

Cheers,
Dave

Putting it down to a number of hours is quite hard for me, it's not like the makerbot where everything arrived in a box at once and I built it with my son over a few evenings. With the mendel, parts tended to dribble in and so the construction got quite spread out. There are also variables such as whether you get the thick sheet lasercut or whether you cut it all with a jigsaw by hand (like I did). If I had to guess, I would say that if you had all the bits at hand you could do it in a weekend. Doing the reading, research, parts ordering, picking up, and post-construction tuning will all take much more than the actual construction.

I found it a massively satisfying project though!

Cheers,
Len.

Hi,

I'm how much would the cost of plastic be for a complete set printed?

Depends a little on the type of plastic used and whether there were any/many false starts when printing the parts. I sold that set I printed for $45.

Hi there,

Did you get one set up? Wondering if I can see a working RepRap?

Cheers
Tom

Have just completed a simplified Mendel after 9 months of angst. Would suggest you look at Simplified Mendel design with Elelctronic boards purchased from Makerbot in US. It is likely to cost you all up 750 to 1000NZD based on what it ended up costing me. I would recommend:

purchasing a Barrel and PTFE thermal barrier from Vik,
Threaded rod from Bunnings
Stainless steel dia 8 rod from Engineering steel company ( Steel & Tube etc...)
Stepper motors from Makerbot x4
Circuit boards from Makerbot
Optical end stops from Makerbot x3
Spare thermistor from Makerbot
Spare Nichrome wire from Makerbot
PLA or ABS from either Vik or Makerbot to get you started
Bearings from Saeco bearings
MDF platform off cut
Nuts and bolts from EDL fasteners ( some available thru Mitre 10 or Bunnings)
Printed parts from Vik or someone else local
Gears can be laser cut and glued together succesfully
Belts from Saeco (expensive but good) or look at RC helicopter websites
Mk4 pinch wheel gear from Makerbot (wish I had purchased one of these)

Is there anything obvious I have forgotten? I do not claim this is a complete list but should get you well on your way

Word of warning I found trying to drive a Reprap from a Arduino Duimanlove Board via easydrivers would not work!

Hi, I am currently pricing up parts at the moment. That list is great.
I would also love to see any pics you have. I'm in wellington for anyone that might have one.
I already have 4 Arduino Duimanloves so that last line is a worry. What caused it to not work?

Cheers,
Sean

Diecast dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have just completed a simplified Mendel after 9
> months of angst. Would suggest you look at
> Simplified Mendel design with Elelctronic boards
> purchased from Makerbot in US. It is likely to
> cost you all up 750 to 1000NZD based on what it
> ended up costing me. I would recommend:
>
> purchasing a Barrel and PTFE thermal barrier from
> Vik,
I cannot reccomend using PTFE, because of the inherent toxic fumes it gives off when you have thermal runaway. BakeLite is far better and abundant in the form of pot handles.

> Threaded rod from Bunnings
> Stainless steel dia 8 rod from Engineering steel
> company ( Steel & Tube etc...)
MicoMetals also sell these.

> Stepper motors from Makerbot x4
> Circuit boards from Makerbot
> Optical end stops from Makerbot x3

I have switched away from optical because of lighting issues, instead I am going with, microswitches.

> Spare thermistor from Makerbot
Do not use thermistors, they only operate up to 250 degrees MAX, and will fail, for realiability, use a thermocouple, Jaycar sells them.

> Spare Nichrome wire from Makerbot
Or Power Resistor setup, either of these two methods are good.

> PLA or ABS from either Vik or Makerbot to get you
> started

Do not use ABS, its fumes are toxic, but the parts are stronger, and is a well known RP plastic, PLA although a new plastic is a sutainable pastic, and the fumes that it gives off, smell like caramel.

> Bearings from Saeco bearings.
For what reason I don't know, these are the worst bearing suppliers, instead I suggest either VXB or Smallparts.com.au, even with shipping, they are cheaper.

> MDF platform off cut
All these thin sheets can be done at Ponoko.com

> Nuts and bolts from EDL fasteners ( some available
> thru Mitre 10 or Bunnings)
Yeah right. There are better fastener specialist around, even some that are not so obvious, shop around, SelectLock in Henderson is one place, MicoMetals have fasteners as well.

> Printed parts from Vik or someone else local
> Gears can be laser cut and glued together
> succesfully
> Belts from Saeco (expensive but good) or look at
> RC helicopter websites
Get these from Smallparts.com.au for reasonable priced belts, not from Saeco.

> Mk4 pinch wheel gear from Makerbot (wish I had
> purchased one of these)
>
> Is there anything obvious I have forgotten? I do
> not claim this is a complete list but should get
> you well on your way
>
> Word of warning I found trying to drive a Reprap
> from a Arduino Duimanlove Board via easydrivers
> would not work!
Strange, both Tim and Vik have used these without issues.

Hi,
I am based in Wellington and have a working Mendel reprap if you would like to have a look and discuss I am based in Lower Hutt.
email me on andrew_rodger@hotmail.com to organise.

This is getting silly, and i'm trying to get my 3D printer built and calibrated as quickly as I can.
How many of us here in NZ have a RepRap, not a WIP, to help distribute RepRaps?

I am close to finishing, but not within a couple of months, and I want to help out.

See my blog on where I am at.

There is a google reprap world map that has been around for ages - i tried a few months ago to add myself to it but it seems borken (maybe I'm just doing it wrong). Maybe we should just update the wiki RUG page Sebastian linked to with the contact info of people with working repraps in different areas who would be willing to show 'n' tell and/or print parts.

Cheers,
Len.

The RepRap World Map works fine!

I recommend that you use the Google Earth button to view the place marks in Google Earth since then you see all RepRappers at one time. Using the Google Maps interface there are several pages of markers (bottom left hand side of the page) than you have to page through. With Google Earth it's WYSIWYG!

---

Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

Indeed, when I tried viewing in google earth, I saw that I had actually created several entries for myself over the last few months, but they don't usually show up on the maps interface. Managed to delete the extras, still dont' understand how google maps manages to not show relevant entries, even when you zoom right in.

Cheers,
Len.

Again, as mentioned in my previous post - there are several pages of markers!



As already stated - at the bottom left hand corner!

THAT is why you should use Google Earth to view the entries, because it works as you expect it to.

---

Bob Morrison
Wörth am Rhein, Germany
"Luke, use the source!"
BLOG - PHOTOS - Thingiverse

Gotta say though, I've seen this and noted that even after reviewing all the pages, I've not seen the marker of someone who was definitely added.

It's almost like it's got a limit on how many people can be on the thing.

I probably shouldn't mention this, but i've put my order in for RepRap Mendel parts from eMaker, as NopHead seems to be selling through there as well as eBay, but its darn a lot cheaper at GBP$125 or about ~NZ$290 excluding shipping.

This is my backup plan which may soon be taking into affect as my RepStrap is taking too long, started it a couple of months before Mendel design was released.

Will see how it goes.