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The Everything 3D Printer Thread

ER70S-2

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Got partway through building my Prusa i3 tonight. A coworker suggests that buying the pre-assembled version is the way to go but I'm fairly certain he's wrong. This is my first 3d printer and I'm grateful for the deep dive into how the darn thing actually goes together.

80% of the printers that Prusa sells are kits, so I'm certain that your coworker is wrong :)
 
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ER70S-2

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What is that thing?

Has anyone bolted their Prusa (or other brand) to a paver or granite slab? It seems like it would drain vibrations, add mass, and provide a base that won't move around or warp. It should hold the bed level indefinitely since it isn't able to warp. This would really be useful when placing the printer on a flimsy table like a Lack. I know people place them on pavers, but I have not heard of anyone actually bolting them down to it.
 

rlitman

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What is that thing?

Has anyone bolted their Prusa (or other brand) to a paver or granite slab? It seems like it would drain vibrations, add mass, and provide a base that won't move around or warp. It should hold the bed level indefinitely since it isn't able to warp. This would really be useful when placing the printer on a flimsy table like a Lack. I know people place them on pavers, but I have not heard of anyone actually bolting them down to it.
I didn't bolt mine down, and I doubt it would make a difference. If it isn't walking around on the table, then it isn't vibrating enough where bolting would do anything. My printer is a CoreXY, so there's not all that much moving mass either.

I did buy (on CL) a heavy soapstone lab bench slab that I carefully leveled on the piece of furniture my printer sits on, figuring that the stone would at least prevent any sympathetic vibrations from going through the wood underneath. My Creality Ender 6 has a textured glass bed that doesn't seem to warp, but I have had leveling issues due to soft springs, but nothing related to vibration.
 

cycle61

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I've seen videos where they have dozens of these printers in a production environment, and they're all sitting in the open on industrial shelves, pallet racking, etc. I suppose there may be *some* advantage if a hobbyist wants to tune a machine to perfection, but my tendency is to watch the pros and generally follow their lead.
 

Bessy

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Does anyone else order mundane parts for a particular project then entirely forget what they are for when they arrive? I received a package of 608RS bearings today and had to think long and hard about what they were for.

Turns out I ordered them for a part that steadies the top of the z-rod on the 3v2. Now to print the part they fit into...
 

Poolshark314

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Does anyone else order mundane parts for a particular project then entirely forget what they are for when they arrive? I received a package of 608RS bearings today and had to think long and hard about what they were for.

Turns out I ordered them for a part that steadies the top of the z-rod on the 3v2. Now to print the part they fit into...
If your z-rod is straight and moves straight, I would skip the z-rod bracket. It appears to actually be counterproductive if your rod bows and you have an anchor point at the top, increasing the horizontal wave in it. When there is nothing touching the top of the rod, it doesn't have anything restricting the horizontal movement in the middle of the rod.

608 bearings can be used on a bunch of different parts. I like using this one:

Glad I found this thread and glad to see other enthusiasts out there!
 

loganb

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What is that thing?

Has anyone bolted their Prusa (or other brand) to a paver or granite slab? It seems like it would drain vibrations, add mass, and provide a base that won't move around or warp. It should hold the bed level indefinitely since it isn't able to warp. This would really be useful when placing the printer on a flimsy table like a Lack. I know people place them on pavers, but I have not heard of anyone actually bolting them down to it.

My prusa sits on a standard landscape paver, biggest difference is it makes it quieter.
 

vertguy

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I have been following this thread for a while and recently downloaded the free version of Fusion 360 to get a better feel for this technology. Not exactly straight forward, but I am slowing figuring things out and fairly sure I successfully modified a download from Thingiverse (adapter for my CT26 to an old miter saw). And the Prusa Black Friday deal may push me over the edge to order the MK3 printer :bounce:

I also have a great resource to help me learn CAD as one of my BIL's is a CAD programmer. Guess I am running out of excuses...

So if I "do" pull the trigger on the MK3, any recommendation on the print sheet option or other advice on the initial order??
 

loganb

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So if I "do" pull the trigger on the MK3, any recommendation on the print sheet option or other advice on the initial order??

You know the only answer you get around here will be Yes!

For the sheets, PLA which is the most common printing material needs their smooth sheet. PETG which is generally the next step up in strength and only a small bump in price uses their textured sheet. I would recommend getting both, but play with the shopping cart as it used to be if you bought the kit for assembly, adding any other material to the order with the printer would push over the dollar value limit for VAT taxes so you may want to make another another order if that's still the case

Extra nozzles are nice, though you can get the E3d nozzles in the states as well so not as big of a deal, I highly recommend a .6mm nozzle as you can print much faster on parts where function matters more as you can make your layers thicker. If you print the glow in the dark or some of the wood/metallic filaments they're highly abbrasive but if you're not using those a good nozzle will last a long time.

The Prusa filament is awesome stuff but is on the higher side of the price ranges but the free shipping for the sale helps alot. If budget allows get a couple rolls of some various colors to use as debug/learning for your first prints so you can remove filament from the list of potential issues. A 1kg spool will go a long way. The printer should come with a roll as well. Once you get some time on it you can then try some other brands and see what works well for you.
 

Firebrick43

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I don't think you could go wrong with a prusa mk3 which is why I recommend them even though I have never owned one.

I started with a ender 3 but it took a lot of tinkering to get it to where I feel its prints and features are equivalent to the mk3. I have seen a lot of enders for sale or given away because of frustrated neophytes.

After trying garlolite, pei, borite glass, and wambam;, I still use glass with aquanet. Some abs prints I use abs juice.
And not the expensive stuff either. I have 3 sheets of plate 1/4 plate glass cut and polished edges from the local glass shop. 20$ for the 3 and that included a tip. Still have not broken one yet and I run 100-110 bed temps, pulling the sheet and slapping a new one in my railcore.
 

loganb

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Going to try and do some fun toys for the nieces this year as they don't need anything else.

Articulated lizard from thingiverse, scaled up to about 210% to max out the print area. Printed in Overture Matte Gray PLA, .3mm layers with a .6mm nozzle, 10% infill, was just short of a 5 hr print


20211127_071024.jpg
 

Bessy

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After one failed attempt, and a redesign (V1.1 call it) I'm off printing my new tool holder for my Bondus drivers, xacto knife and calipers. I spaced the holes appropriately on the vertical side to (hopefully match up with pegboard, but for now this one will screw to the side of my old desk next to the printer. I don't need the 5mm hex for this printer, that I have noticed, but I didn't figure I wanted to break up the set. V1.2 will make room for the flush cutters, wrenches and scraper (though I have not needed the scraper yet on this printer).

Still looking for a good design/idea for tweezers and dental mirror if anyone's got any ideas.

I swear I bought this second printer to do x-mas gifts, but I have to play with it for myself a little bit too.
 

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vertguy

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Thanks and good point on the VAT as I never thought about it. Looks like the VAT limit is $800, which might explain the kit price. And with the $200 min for the free shipping, think I will just stick with the kit and order a few other filament colors from another source like the matte PLA from Amazon. If nothing else, the kit comes with a roll of silver PLA and an add-on orange PETG.
 

ER70S-2

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Thanks and good point on the VAT as I never thought about it. Looks like the VAT limit is $800, which might explain the kit price. And with the $200 min for the free shipping, think I will just stick with the kit and order a few other filament colors from another source like the matte PLA from Amazon. If nothing else, the kit comes with a roll of silver PLA and an add-on orange PETG.

You should get the textured sheet, too. When I ordered my MK3S+ kit, I put the sheet on a second order to avoid VAT, but with free shipping, you shouldn't have to.
 
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loganb

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Agree With the VAT being a random luck of thr draw thing...supposedly all orders exceeding the limit were reported as such but it's on the carrier to collect it and from internet reports it seemed like far less than 50% of orders were being assessed it. So if that's still the case odds are in your favor
 

Bad Habit

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They estimate the lead time for the kits to be 5-6 weeks and say they will be shipped in January which is fine. But they estimate the lead time for the assembled ones to be 2-3 weeks? I guess they have been assembling a bunch and they don't go out the door as fast?
 

Firebrick43

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They would rather sell you an assembled one. They make more and it keeps their employees busy. I would dare to say that they would love to discontinue the kits and only sell assembled ones but they had it as a business model so long they really can’t stop without complaints.
 

ER70S-2

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Has anyone else watched this series on learning Fusion 360? I just got through part three and they're pretty good. They're slightly outdated, so some steps require some research as the program has changed slightly, but it's not that big of a deal. Any other resources that you guys recommend?

 

AffableCurmudgeon

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Has anyone else watched this series on learning Fusion 360? I just got through part three and they're pretty good. They're slightly outdated, so some steps require some research as the program has changed slightly, but it's not that big of a deal. Any other resources that you guys recommend?

AutoDesk has wonderful documentation. Great place to learn.
 

nicholam77

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@ER70S-2 maybe you're beyond this level already but I've been watching the Paul McWhorter series Learn Fusion 360 or Die Trying.


Kind of slow-paced, but I think he does a good job of explaining the basics and why things behave the way they do, as well as some common frustrations.

I've watched some of the Product Design Online videos and think they're good, but for a total beginner, like myself, he kind of goes all over the place with techniques and it's a bit overwhelming.

About to check out the official Autodesk resources now 😁
 

ER70S-2

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@ER70S-2 maybe you're beyond this level already but I've been watching the Paul McWhorter series Learn Fusion 360 or Die Trying.

Kind of slow-paced, but I think he does a good job of explaining the basics and why things behave the way they do, as well as some common frustrations.

I've watched some of the Product Design Online videos and think they're good, but for a total beginner, like myself, he kind of goes all over the place with techniques and it's a bit overwhelming.

About to check out the official Autodesk resources now 😁
Thanks for that. I am definitely not beyond any level. My printer is still in the box!
 

vertguy

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Well, I pulled the trigger last night and now the wait begins (I hit the easy button and ordered an assembled MK3). I have some down time coming up in 2 weeks and will be on light duty for a bit, so I can keep myself busy with some of these Fusion learning options.
 

ER70S-2

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AffableCurmudgeon

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With Fusion 360, just like anything else, practice is the key. Find some things around you and start duplicating. when you get stuck, look it up on the Fusion 360 help site. They have a lot of examples.
I started with not knowing anything about CAD but now I can replicate or design any part I need. Practice is key.
 

snakeeyes

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Fusion is pretty easy if you learned on other autodesk products especially inventor. I will say that some features on Fusion 360 are well hidden or require jumping through some hoops as it takes multiple weird steps. Youtube will save you a lot of time, since they change stuff around sometimes. Like changing how to use a feature or where a tool is after you have been comfortable using the program.

That said my main gripe is the limit of editable files, since I have been trying to make some assemblies. I do like that you can export directly to stl and step.

Below is my current project of adapting modern suspension components on a 60s car with no real aftermarket support. Mustang wheel hub, 12.5" rotors, and Brembo brakes. All done in Fusion 360.

IMG-0132.jpg
 

Bessy

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Hey all,
Looking for opinions on good PLA/PLA+ filament colour matches for power tools, specifically DeWalt Yellow and Ridgid Orange. Anyone have any good side by side comparison shots to show off with a brand/link to the respective filament? I purchased a roll of MECH Solutions gold on spec, but it's too gold and not enough yellow to match my DeWalt stuff.

TIA!
 

loganb

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Well maybe this could be a Pokémon planter or something since it converted to a spaghetti printer with under an hour left....grrrr

20211201_215255.jpg

Another reminder I need to finish setting up the raspberry pi with octoprint so I can push files and monitor remotely
 

loganb

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Just ordered the parts for that today. It'll be a couple weeks before I get back to it though.

Mine has been partially done, sitting on the desk for an embarrassingly long time. It should be ready to install Octo onto.... maybe this weekend?
 

cycle61

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I had to go buy an SD card reader today. My computer doesn't have one, my roommate wasn't available to borrow his, and I printed everything that came preloaded on the card. :rolleyes:
 
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