How many of you have 3d printers?

Posted by: @codecage

I guess I need to find a 3D printing forum and not clutter this forum with a lot of 3D printer issues.  Unless we have enough folks jumping on board that us noobies might learn something from our collective mistakes and issues

I'm quite willing to create a separate forum section for 3D printing if there is enough interest. And from what I read here there probably is!

I'm planning to purchase one of these myself later this year - perhaps Black Friday or Cyber Monday will have some good deals (although I suspect items like this seldom are discounted).  So before then, I'd like to learn all I can about them, and this discussion has been valuable to me.

Of course, every website I go to now serves me advertisements for 3D printers. I try and keep my wallet in another room so I don't make an impulse purchase!

?

Bill

@DroneBot Workshop , @codecage,

I think a separate area for 3d printing and also one for PCB creation would be a good move.  

However I see codecage needs some assistance with a particular 3d printing model and whilst I have a bit of experience with my Prusa printer this does not readily translate to being of use to other printers.   @codecage you may not find enough expertise on this forum for your model and I hope like my Prusa you will find a forum dedicated to your printer.  Judging by some peoples experiences with the Prusa printer (though not mine) it may be worth doing a little disassembly and re-assemble being careful to check the positioning of the items, check for both over and under tightening etc.  Sorry not much help I know and good luck in solving your issues.

@codecage

Hi Steve. Can you post a picture of the state of the printer?

@dronebot-workshop

That would be great Bill!

@codecage

Thinking... There could be wires switched on a stepper.  

@triform

I'll double check those items in the morning a post pictures.  I'm bushed after spending most of the day making a somewhat neat wiring job.

@codecage

The ratcheting sound usually comes from the extruder slipping on filament that doesn't want to move

I know this is a dumb question, but, did you, by any chance, turn on the extruder heater before trying to feed the filament in ?

If you don't turn on the heater then the filament can't extrude and it'll just sit there and grind the teeth on the filament thus making a ratcheting sound

I think i'm getting myself into trouble. This 3D stuff is so addicting. ?

Between what Steve is going to eventually start on (I have no doubt you will get your printer going) and what I've been seeing on YouTube videos, I don't know which I'll be working on more, electronics or 3D. 

Check this out. 3D printed RC planes 

As you may have noticed this thread is now moved to the new "3D Printing" topic area!

Please feel free to add additional posts within this topic.

Bill

@dronebot-workshop

Thanks Bill!  It's amazing how much help we can be to one another.  And I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on my trials and tribulations.

Posted by: @codecage

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on my trials and tribulations.

Please do Steve.

I was originally planning to go the "build a RepRap" route for a workshop 3D printer. But I'm now in the frame of mind that says "just go buy one".  Kind of goes against my normal DIY spirit though, so I'm interested in seeing your experiences getting your build to run.

I'm hoping to gain some knowledge from everyone here so that when I do take the plunge I purchase the right machine.

Bill

@dronebot-workshop

Well even though I've run into these issues, I wouldn't trade the experience for an already assembled printer.  I have learned so much, and continue to do so, about  how 3D printers do what they do, that I think the DIY printer is the way to go if you're a DIY kind of person.  Now if you are just an appliance operator and have no mechanical desires or aptitude, the pre-assembled printers would be the way to go.

All in all the printer itself seems to be pretty solidly built and well designed.  I do fault the quality control of the folks that packed the parts and the documentation authors for doing a VERY lousy job.  But that just added to the learning experience in the long run.  I had to have Amazon send me another printer as mine had a manufacturing defect on one part.  And as I got further into the assembly it is a good thing I had that second printer.  I found another defect and some missing items that were not discovered when I did an inventory of the packing list.  The missing and shorted parts did not coincided with the packing list 100%, but that didn't come clear until I got way into the assembly.

Enough for now.

@triform @spyder @dronebot-workshop @etinkerer

It will be next Wednesday before I can get back to the printer as I'm headed out to TX  to see my grand-daughter play in a soccer tournament.

Then I'll post some pictures and take a look at all the things that have been mentioned as potential problems.

Thanks to the forum for all the help!

Ok Steve. Have a good time in the Lone Star state. Clear your mind and get back at it when you get back. ? 

I couldn't resist building my own  but my business pulls me away on pressing projects but I'm going to print something on this thing by gosh even if its a gob of melted pla lol? ! Code cage is right you learn more building your own.but buying one is cool to