Notifications
Clear all

My journey into 3D printing

6 Posts
2 Users
2 Likes
585 Views
Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6981
Topic starter  

I have started 2 topics to document a newcomer's journey in learning CAD and using a 3D printer. The learning CAD topic is at HERE

The printer arrives this week, and I will do an unboxing initial setup and first print report. I might video some/all of it.

My expectations based on videos I have watched are

10 minutes to open the box and assemble 

8 minutes to do the Z offset and auto level

2 minutes to load the filament

I will update you soon.

 

 

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
Duce robot and DaveE reacted
Quote
Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6981
Topic starter  

I got an email from Canada Post saying my 3D printer is out for delivery! Should be here around noon.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
ReplyQuote
(@bl00daxe)
Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 2
 

What kind of a printer did you get? I live in Canada as well. I recently, actually, about 4 months ago too; got a 3D printer. I chose to get a Sovol SV06+ model. From everything I read, it seems that the Ender series of printers are dinosaurs. And I'm not rich and didn't have the money for a Bambu Labs or a Prusia. I need to order spare parts for it directly from China as Amazon Canada only has spare parts for the non-plus version. But they actually ship quickly enough, nozzles and what have you. I am about to change the stock firmware over to Klipper.. I have a few Raspberry Pi's, but my brother got me a Creality Sonic Pad for Christmas, so it saves me from buying a touch screen (I like to be near the printer for the first layer or two). 


   
ReplyQuote
Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6981
Topic starter  

@bl00daxe Really, dinosaurs? My research told me the Ender was the best choice for a beginner. I especially like the fact it has a .ca web site and 2 day shipping from Ontario IIRC.

Good luck

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
ReplyQuote
Ron
 Ron
(@zander)
Father of a miniature Wookie
Joined: 3 years ago
Posts: 6981
Topic starter  

@bl00daxe I just noticed that the Sovol line of printers is actually made with Creality parts.

First computer 1959. Retired from my own computer company 2004.
Hardware - Expert in 1401, and 360, fairly knowledge in PC plus numerous MPU's and MCU's
Major Languages - Machine language, 360 Macro Assembler, Intel Assembler, PL/I and PL1, Pascal, Basic, C plus numerous job control and scripting languages.
Sure you can learn to be a programmer, it will take the same amount of time for me to learn to be a Doctor.


   
ReplyQuote
(@bl00daxe)
Member
Joined: 2 years ago
Posts: 2
 

TBH, had I seen a Creality with dual Z steppers and the 300X300X340 build volume for $100 +- the price of my Sovol, I likely would have pulled the trigger on it sheerly due to the amount of documentation online for that specific line. What I meant, is that the tech, (Including that of my SOVOL) is getting a bit dated now, and yes, they are all built more or less in the same way. The non-Plus SV06 does use a Creality MK8 hotend and nozzle. The Plus uses a volcano style. It does seem to use a rather unique inductive auto bed levelling sensor, which is very nicely accurate from everything I read on it. It's really the Ender line of printers which I was ragging on, it seems each model is always a recycled remix of their various optional brand-components.. Maybe SOVOL is too new to have done much of that yet? 

Edit: And about the best choice for a beginner aspect of these two.. From what I see online, currently it seems to be a 50/50. It makes me sad and slightly frightened to say that shipping from China for spares takes within the week.. Even Ali Express for aftermarket nozzles and such is about 12 days from the Far East.. Yeah, that was one of my after purchase regrets is local support. But from my understanding in general in this hobby is that we are usually our own tech support for most things. 

But at this point, running Klipper and having tuned the main machine in.. The next 'goal' for equipment would be a Core XY style machine, and maybe a custom build, with the aluminum frame and mechanical rods being machined locally to spec to ensure as square and stable a build as possible. Maybe a half a kit build? 

This post was modified 3 months ago by Bl00dAxe

   
ReplyQuote