1 Topic by DarrellS

  • DarrellS
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-07-18
  • Posts: 38

Topic: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

I am currently looking to purchase a 3D printer for making enclosures for electronic projects as well as some grip equipment and props for my photography work.

I am wanting to stay below $1,000 and one of the printers I was looking at, mainly because it and the DaVinci came up in Amazon when I was searching for some CNC router parts, was the SoliDoodle.

I read some negative reviews on Amazon, but I generally take the reviews there with a grain of salt. However, after reading through some of the posts on this board the negative Amazon reviews are seeming to be a bit justified.

Can these printers be used for printing "out of the box?" If not, can they be tuned to be worthwhile or should I just steer clear of these?

Thanks for any help.

2 Reply by wardjr

  • wardjr
  • wardjr
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2013-06-10
  • Posts: 5,623

Re: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

Any FDM style printer is going to require some calibration and general tinkering.  I own two SD3's one is heavily modified and the other has only had the hot end upgraded (E3d).  They both worked out of the box but required proper calibration to achieve good results.  The SD4 is very similar and in my opinion not worth the extra money for an enclosure that is difficult to remove for regular maintenance.  Otherwise it's the same machine as the SD3 so just make a quick enclosure out of plexiglass.
I have no hands on experience with the DaVinci but I don't like the idea of having to buy their filament cartridges at a premium when an SD uses any brand filament.
The best part of the SD is the community here on the forum.
So as long as your expectations aren't too high for the technology of FDM printing and your not afraid to tinker an SD3 should do what you want just fine.

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

wardjr's Website

3 Reply by wire10ga

  • wire10ga
  • wire10ga
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Arkansas
  • Registered: 2012-09-14
  • Posts: 665

Re: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

Depends on how good a print you expect "out of the box"  I have a SD2 and it's pretty good and was able to print out of the box, but doing some simple upgrades has improved the quality of prints a lot.
Personally, i would not get the SD4 but instead get the SD3 and slap some lexan sides on it. It's cheaper but has the same print size. The best thing about the SD is the great support here on this forum for them.  From what I read about the DaVinci, sounds like a lot of the early days of the SD's.

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

wire10ga's Website

4 Reply by wardjr

  • wardjr
  • wardjr
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Minnesota
  • Registered: 2013-06-10
  • Posts: 5,623

Re: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

wire10ga wrote:

Depends on how good a print you expect "out of the box"  I have a SD2 and it's pretty good and was able to print out of the box, but doing some simple upgrades has improved the quality of prints a lot.
Personally, i would not get the SD4 but instead get the SD3 and slap some lexan sides on it. It's cheaper but has the same print size. The best thing about the SD is the great support here on this forum for them.  From what I read about the DaVinci, sounds like a lot of the early days of the SD's.

+1 watching the DaVinci posts is like traveling back in time a couple of years.

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

wardjr's Website

5 Reply by DarrellS

  • DarrellS
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2014-07-18
  • Posts: 38

Re: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

Okay,  you have convinced me to give it a try.  My SD4 will be here Friday,  so it will be a long weekend.

I didn't ignore the advice about the SD3. I wanted to get one fulfilled by Amazon in case there is some sort of issue because they have always been great about customer service when I have had an issue.

I guess you will be seeing a lot of me around here.  Sorry lol.

6 Reply by grob

  • grob
  • grob
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Sydney, Australia
  • Registered: 2014-01-02
  • Posts: 900

Re: Is the SoliDoodle 4 worthwhile?

Welcome to the melee. smile

SD3. Mk2b + glass, heated enclosure, GT2 belts, direct drive y shaft, linear bearings, bowden-feed E3D v5 w/ 0.9° stepper
Smoothieboard via Octoprint on RPi