New FT-5 Cube style printer. (Page 3 of 4)

the parts from 713Maker - all depends on where they are with fulfilling current orders. I got lucky and got mine pretty quickly. i think they try to keep the extruder carriages in stock as they are quite popular vs the full kit.

Well I think it is together  still need to triple check things and load the firmware. then verify all the electronics and tune the firmware. .....

I think I am getting the firmware to my liking takes time.
I am 15 days into this build two weekends working chores and lif and an hour or two evenings as I have the time so feeling successful.

Still fighting with the stupid z axis stop no real fine adjustment. and had a layer shitf issue on the second print attempt. so stil debugging shaking things down . But yes feeling successful.

Thanks heartless  i was able to tweak the firmware to allow for manual homing of the z.

the z stop needs some sort of screw adjustment . the height is just too critical.

Seems like an afterthought rather than part of the plan . Like they forgot about it and threw it on last minute 

The solidoodles had a adjusting knob. as do some of cheap Chinese I3 knock offs . this is such a minor but critical part. Speaking of knobs I need to look at the control knob for the front control panned.  another unthunk nuisance. 

IMHO the manual still has a few gaps and I wonder about some of the  "extra" parts I have left.
I was already thinking i need to drill a hole in the sub base and likely need to adjust the pots .
As always thanks for the input . Over all a fun successful build.

And just a little pressure to do this right. An engineer friend of mine is watching me on this one. and he helped for a few hours. He so far has a few years experience with 3d printers . U-prints and an ultimaker . He still does not own one for his home shop. and he is eyeing this one as a possibility.

I guess i should not complain . This is an overall nice kit for the money. And the kit is packaged in the USA and folks need to eat. Less frustration and more fun than the first build I think my expectations a little more realistic.
Just over two weeks and i have a print that is not horrible and no calls for help to FT.

not too shabby.

Have been doing a few prints. Tuned the stepper drivers to recommenced ref volts.
I have been a bit concerned with the power supply on this unit. NO Name Chinese PS Rated at 360 watts . IMHO marginal for printer with a roughly 144 in ^2 bed.
Then I see this photo on the FT forum.
So the concern level rises. then after a couple hours of printing  I am getting some high temps on the case the fan is not coming on
The fan should come on at an internal temp of 45 c  I did some more testing and printing and the fan is not coming on. . With a case temp of about 50C as measured with  HF IR thermometer and a HF thermocouple on a multi meter.
So in the interest of safety reliability and some reserve power:

i ordered mean well SE-450-12

https://www.trcelectronics.com/View/Mea … 0-12.shtml

Heartless :
I am sure the super-nights are fine for any 8" cube printer.
OK A super-night 12 V 30 Amp is $ 33  a same rated  Meanwell is about $ 12 more
so I am pay more for a name brand with a 2 year warranty and I am paying more for more power output and my supplier is a bit closer so a little less lead time  and lower shipping . I am getting a better power supply , with more power  a two year warranty shipped basically over night at ups ground rates. IMHO a good value.

Yep have seen this as well.In many industries.  The problem is  having to choose a power supply when there are many choices an labels a and the price ranges from $13 to over 300 for a ps of the "SAME " Specification. I think most will select middle ground . Hard to know at what point the component number, specifications and quality gets better.

Meanwell also has a high performance model that is about twice the price of what i bought.

I would like to think the name brands have at least some QC/QA in place.

So both good names to look for!!

Ok, so I'm now starting to piece together the information I need to order and build one of these beasts! I have a question for you guys, have you printed with PETG and or Nylon? I assume it should do the PETG ok because the filament I was looking at recommends 230 - 250C. I usually print at a lower temp than the max reccomended on the ABS and PLA I have so I see no trouble with that. But the nylon spec is up to 270C, so I was wondering if anyone has printed much with Nylon or PETG and your results.
Any recommendations for me before I order the kit, like extra items to have on hand for upgrading?
Has anyone installed the CNC kit that was supposed to be available for this machine? I didn't check if it was available yet.

in stock form you "should" be able to run some PETGs ok, but nylon will require an upgraded hotend, no ifs, ands or buts

I believe max temp for the stock hotend is about 245-250, so.. (i upgraded mine to a Volcano, but have since taken that back off - see below)

I have one of the CNC kits - in the process of installing, but "life" has kind of gotten in the way of finishing that project... it is no "easy" task, either. you have to completely disassemble the X carriage to install the CNC head.