Just so I understand - it's clicking so strangely because the extruder controller isn't a real stepper driver?by gr0k - General Mendel Topics
Hm, ok so I might have to live with the whine, but what about the clicking? Is it normal for it to make that loud clicking sound while it is turning and extruding? The sound coming from the motor sounds like a card stuck in the spokes of a bicycle. I ordered a Pololu A4983 Stepper Motor Driver from MakerGear to try, but I'd really like to figure this out and try to get it working right with thby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
Check out this video I recorded of my problem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIqCIosUD_M Basically my extruder stepper turns for a few seconds when I click the extrude button, however it makes awful buzzing, clicking and whining noises. I'm using a MakerBot extruder board (with the reprap modifications) running the FiveD firmware and the RepRap host software to test it. I tried adjusting theby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
AgeingHippy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The SDA SCL on the motherboard is no problem as > this is the standard 2.54mm pitch but the D9 and > D10 pins on the extruder controller look to be > further apart. Could someone please tell me what > pitch I should get the associated female connector > in? I didn't have any clips that worked right theby gr0k - Controllers
Needs more duck tape.by gr0k - Controllers
The stepper boards don't get power from the motherboard, they get wired in series right to the chocolate block for power.by gr0k - Controllers
I think I managed to reconnect it by trying to add a bit of solder to the exposed pads then holding it down while pressing the iron to the tiny exposed leads on each side. I tested it by using a multimeter to check continuity between power/ground and the appropriate exposed leads of the capacitor. I guess I'll know if it's right once I get a cable made to hook it up... I'm still a little worrieby gr0k - Controllers
Quick update, the Coax power connector from I think will make for a good alternative to using an XLR connector. I also created this OpenSCAD script to generate an XLR or Coax style power bracket model:by gr0k - General Mendel Topics
I can't tell if the pads are on the board or pulled up against the leads, but I turned it to the side a bit to try and get a better look underneath and took two pics: Click on the all sizes link to see a better view... It looks like the one side pulled part of the trace on the board loose?by gr0k - Controllers
I have very little electronics or soldering knowledge and I had just managed to do all the RepRap style mods to pre-built MakerBot boards and was mounting the boards onto my Mendel when my pliers slipped off the damn nylock nut and half knocked a capacitor off a stepper board. There's a scratch on the side, but I think it's ok. One lead totally detached and the other is loose. Here's a pictuby gr0k - Controllers
I'm also in the same boat as you so I've been keeping track of everything in this google spreadsheet: I've verified almost all the parts and I'm about half way done doing the actual mods. Also, I decided to use plain pins on the endstops and these easy to use connectors: Just have to mark it with a marker or something since they aren't polarized, but a lot easier to assemble than crimp pins whby gr0k - Controllers
I forgot to post an update, I found this 10' long offer for $2.33 on DigiKey, is that a good price? It says 0 in stock, but it turns out that Value Added Item means I guess they cut it on demand. So I ordered it this afternoon and it shipped today. I know you only need about 10' but all Mouser sold was either 1' or 100' and nothing in between.by gr0k - General Mendel Topics
I think I've organized everything I need and I'm almost done with the modifications, however I can't seem to find anywhere to buy ribbon cable! You need about 10' of ribbon cable according the plans at This would be the best you can do at Mouser: However, mouser is sold out and doesn't expect a shipment until July 2nd and every US supplier also seems to be sold out. (at least sold out of longby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
I went through everything and it all checks out except for 2 things. First, the ribbon cable I ordered was the wrong length and the one I think I need is out of stock until next month and a lot more expensive. (only comes in 100' long even though you only need about 7' and costs $21: ) Also, I thought the USB cable connector came with crimp pins but it didn't. I also realized I could save aby gr0k - Wanted
I got everything and I'll be verifying it all this weekend.by gr0k - Wanted
I've been trying to get the right stuff to build a wade extruder and I'm a little confused about how to attach the idler block. Some pictures seem to show the bolts with the heads in the recessed slots threaded side through the idler, some seem to go the other way. (perhaps with nuts trapped in the inside slots?) Also, I'm trying to find out where to get the springs. I had ordered these from Mby gr0k - Mechanics
I assume it's DC lol, never really thought of that. It's hard to find specs since it's so generic. I did email the company selling it, Computer Geeks to ask about the connector size, but never got a response. See: I decided to just order the socket and try to get it working with one of the 12V 5A adapters I have laying around since I know what size they are and I couldn't find a socket ratedby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
Hi, I've been working on trying to figure out what is needed for the conversion and power/usb stuff that I couldn't find fully documented anywhere either. Here is what I have so far in a google spreadsheet: I have an order in with mouser and waiting for the parts to arrive, so none of this has been verified yet.by gr0k - Wanted
I haven't finished mine yet, but I don't think there's any technical reason to do the modifications. Those changes are basically just to make it a lot easier and cleaner since the ethernet cables are kind of bulky and difficult to plug in.by gr0k - Controllers
I think this would be the kind of jack I'd want instead of an XLR socket?by gr0k - General Mendel Topics
My original plan was to just use an ATX power supply, but I really like how neat everything is without it. Do people typically just use ATX power supplies? That is interesting, I see it mentioned twice on the wiki that Mendel requires 12V 5A. Theres another discussion about this confusion here: and they decided 60W should be sufficient. Also the highest cheap power brick type supply I can fiby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
I'm just about done with the mechanical construction of my Mendel and now I'm working on the electronics. I have pre assembled boards from MakerBot and I'm trying to figure out what I need to adapt them to the RepRap style using the instructions on the wiki here My problem is finding all the right components. I can't find a list anywhere and all the parts in the assembly data sheet seem to beby gr0k - General Mendel Topics
Just a reminder, this auction has a little over an hour remaining and the reserve has been met and is currently at $300:by gr0k - Plastic RepRap Parts for Sale
Here ya go: More info and lots of pictures showing the quality of the parts can be found on my blog here:by gr0k - Plastic RepRap Parts for Sale
Funny, I thought the same thing about the photocopied MakerBot letter. I kept it all the same, but if it had real signatures I would have framed it.by gr0k - General
Hi! I don't have a RepRap yet, but I have a MakerBot and I'm working on printing parts for a Mendel. I'm in Reading, PA. - Tony Buserby gr0k - Pennsylvania RepRap User Group
Great minds think alike, re-creating this has been on my todo list since before I got my makerbot, but I've been spending all my time printing mendel parts.by gr0k - Let's design something! (I've got an idea ...)
It sounds like what they're trying to do at the 100k Garages Job Board: [100kgarages.com] I think the key is to have a system where people can offer/bid on individual pieces from multiple sources. Buying things piecemeal kills you with shipping, but distributing it efficiently I think it's the only way to do it since it's so hard for one person to make a complete set. Instead of expecting oneby gr0k - Administration, Announcements, Policy
I was wondering, would it be possible to recycle printed parts? Say a part breaks, could it be melted down and fed back into the reprap? I suppose you'd have to figure out a way to get it back into the right shape since the extruder pulls it in from a spool... How about recycling other HDPE stuff around the house? How hard would it be to for instance, melt down a milk jug? I guess there coulby gr0k - General
Viktor, yeah I saw that tripod design. It's visually impressive looking. I can't wait to see it in action. Reminds me of a flux capacitor! I get that this is an iterative process and read that one of the goals of version 2, Mendel is to reduce the number of external parts. Just seems to me that version 1 should be a real repstrap, like the McWire design, very simple and even cheaper with a lby gr0k - General