26

Re: First 3d printer

The V6 is definitely the way to go, I'd say try ABS sooner than later.  With a good bed heater on glass and an enclosure you'll find it easier to print than PLA.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

27 (edited by heartless 2016-05-24 13:17:16)

Re: First 3d printer

Chicago, huh? Hi Neighbor. smile I am North of you about 5 hours...

for storage, I use extra large airtight containers made by Ziplock (60qt size) - they have 6 locking latches around the top

http://soliforum.com/i/?J3Z6lf6.jpg

look around for them - we got ours at the local walmart for about $24 or so... there are also smaller versions with 4 latches - 44qt size.
the 60 qt will hold a dozen spools easily. I also use Damp-Rid desiccant to absorb any moisture that might be present - works quite well and is readily available just about everywhere.

starting with PLA is a good idea... much more forgiving - especially on an open frame printer like the Prusa. PETG is another good alternative - prints pretty easily, like PLA, but stronger - altho not as durable as ABS... both PLA and PETG will shatter if dropped on hard surfaces. ABS wont.
all that said, better than 90% of my printing is done in ABS. I just like the way it prints, the durability of it, and the options for smoothing prints...

as for the "who knows" part... LOL - it is kind of an addiction... we got the 1st SD4 in February 2015 - now have 2 of those, the FT Prusa and the FT Kossel... and hoping to add to the collection soon. wink

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

28

Re: First 3d printer

The U.P. or Wisconsin?  I've heard it gets a little chilly up north... I've got respect for people who can survive those winters!

The box idea is more or less what I was thinking of doing.  I was going to go get a 5 gallon bucket from home depot, fill the bottom with silica beads, and install a couple spool holders on the inside.

And yeah, I have a feeling that getting access to a university's engineering department in two years will result in a couple of cool builds.

-Yak

29

Re: First 3d printer

Wi in the house lol

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

30

Re: First 3d printer

Yakantosh wrote:

The U.P. or Wisconsin?  I've heard it gets a little chilly up north... I've got respect for people who can survive those winters!

I'm from the North Chicago burbs, and I want their winters. Then again, I don't think Norway is cold enough for me! So I'm jealous.

Anywho...the ziplock container Heartless posted is similar to what I store pellets, colorant, and some filament in. I also use this and it is a rechargeable item. Alternatively, some users have reported success with rice, kitty litter, or even accumulated silica packets that came with your filament.
PLA has a long shelf life even if you store it half assed. I had MakerBot PLA rolled up in the original plastic bag it came in with a single silica packet...and the bag was partially open on one side. I ended up burning through it a month ago, after it had aged over a year like that in an enclosed closet, and it worked beautifully.

ABS can be tricky especially further north. But PLA already requires more cooling, and if you can dial in PLA reliably, you have already pretty much mastered ABS.

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

31

Re: First 3d printer

I am in North-central Wisconsin - about an hour west of Wausau. way out in the boonies. LOL
and yeah, it does get a bit chilly up here, but there are colder places...

Azerate - you want cold? head for International Falls, MN - i hear they get some brutal cold weather up there. tongue

I try to keep my filament put away when not in use, but sometimes I get a little lazy... a week or so in one of the boxes (i have 4 of the 60qt) with the Damp-rid and it is good to go again. smile I usually toss the little desiccant packs that come with the filament in one of the boxes when I get a new roll, too.
Just went thru everything the other day and reorganized - the greater majority of those little packs were quite discolored from moisture. I ended up tossing them and put fresh damp-rid in each box - should be good for a while again.

Rice, eh, in a pinch it is ok, but kitty litter would probably work better...
I like the Damp-Rid because it is in a small container, not spread on the bottom of the box, it lasts a long time, and I can get refills fairly cheap. But #1 reason is because it just works!

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

32

Re: First 3d printer

The printer arrived!  Too bad I can't start building it until Saturday...  I went through the components to see if anything was odd off the bat.  I noticed that a couple components and pins were bent on the ramps board, so I just bent them back into place.  Other than that, it seems everything came undamaged.  Rods looked straight, quality printed pieces, bed wasn't cracked in two... etc.  They even sent a sour little friend along for the ride!  Any easy hardware changes I should switch off the bat before I start building?

Also, nice to see so many great lakes folks around here!

-Yak

33

Re: First 3d printer

Yeah I'm beginning to feel like heartless was possibly poking fun.  International Falls is in my backyard.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

34

Re: First 3d printer

Haha, maybe.  I have taken a couple vacations up there in the summer.  I think it was in Voyageurs National Park?  Beautiful lakes and rivers...

-Yak

35

Re: First 3d printer

Get a plano  organizer box from the fishing dept  at wal mart or similar organizer tray and sot out the parts.
If you do not have one a Harbor freight electron caliper  can be handy.  4" or 6 whichever is on sale. Having the parts organised  saves time.
Changes no  but make sure the z axis carriage fits before adjusting tightening the x belt I ended up installing mine like 3 times.

Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

36 (edited by Yakantosh 2016-05-26 00:47:18)

Re: First 3d printer

I have both of those, so I should be set there.  Now lets just hope dropping the Ramps board didn't mess it up too bad...

If I did damage it, will it be rather obvious once I try getting the printer up and running?

-Yak

37

Re: First 3d printer

Yes, it'll either work or it won't.  Depending on the drop the board should be just fine if something didn't physically break.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

38

Re: First 3d printer

LOL  ward - maybe i was poking fun, maybe i wasn't wink International Falls does record some of the coldest temps in the continental states during the winter months...

the board should be ok, but yeah, kind of depends on how far it dropped and on to what kind of surface... I am a bit of a klutz and regularly drop things - so far so good... hmm

just build it stock for now. there are some proper belt tensioners on thingiverse you can print later once you get it up and running, but unless you have a way to print them before assembly, not gonna help much. (i am not a big fan of the springs for tensioning belts)

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1

39 (edited by Yakantosh 2016-05-29 16:10:15)

Re: First 3d printer

Alright, I ran into my first assembly problem.  I cannot get the bearings to fit into the printed bearing housings.  It looks like some light sanding with a dremel should do the trick...

Also, the sk8 rod clamps won't tighten to the point that the rods cannot move.  Any suggestions as for what to use as shims?

-Yak

40

Re: First 3d printer

Painters tape or electrical tape will work just fine

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

41 (edited by Tin Falcon 2016-05-29 16:51:10)

Re: First 3d printer

I cannot get the bearings to fit into the printed bearing housings.  It looks like some light sanding with a dremel should do the trick...

I encouraged mine to fit . they pressed in with a little gentle persuasion from a bench vise. Although the manual tells you not to force them .

Also, the sk8 rod clamps won't tighten to the point that the rods cannot move.  Any suggestions as for what to use as shims?

maybe a piece of aluminum foil or a piece of aluminum beverage can.
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_14721.jpg
http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_24864.jpg
The above clamps are great for assembling the x axis  the ones that that have the reversing jaw also allow for disassembly.

you want at least 18', 24"  not bad to have. on sale for  5 bucks each at HF.
and of course Home depot and lowes will have similar product.

Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

42 (edited by Yakantosh 2016-05-30 02:02:42)

Re: First 3d printer

The tinfoil trick worked great!  Problem number 2:  the threaded rods that came with the kit are unusable.  They are bent in multiple places.  Do I hunt down a source of quality threaded rod or do I convert to lead screws in the build?

-Yak

43

Re: First 3d printer

For now just find some 5mm rod and get it together. then later you can print carriages made for larger lead screws .

Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

44

Re: First 3d printer

I finally finished building the printer and downloading all the software to run it.  I am currently in Repetier attempting to set up the homes for each axis.  For some reason, the motors will only rotate one direction.  Is this a code issue?

Also, slicer kept force quitting when I tried to upload the settings folger tech provided, so I set them up the best I could on my own...  or at least enough to attempt to get the printer working for manual control.

-Yak

45

Re: First 3d printer

check your endstops

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

46

Re: First 3d printer

Kronikabuse wrote:

check your endstops

What exactly do you mean by that?

-Yak

47

Re: First 3d printer

try M119 see what your endstops say without any depressed. then try one at a time. if they dont function correctly check the wiring and pin placement

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

48 (edited by Yakantosh 2016-06-03 02:43:10)

Re: First 3d printer

All of the endstops are functioning properly and the wiring is fine.  I still receive no movement and a whining noise when to move the axis in the negative direction.

Edit: Scratch that.  Without any of the endstops pressed it is stating that all of the maximums are triggered.

-Yak

49

Re: First 3d printer

PAr for the course  need to adjust the firmware.  Or load an updated version of firmware.
tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

50

Re: First 3d printer

Ok, I will just mess around with the settings until it works then.  I was able to get the z axis to function properly, including homing correctly.  The x axis I can now manually move in both directions, but when I try to home it it moves 10mm in the negative direction every time I give the command.  The Y axis is having the same issue.

-Yak