Quality DIY Printer frames? (Page 1 of 2)

you can look at vention.io to build a frame. most people just design thier frame and buy the components they need like alum. extrusions.My custom print I designed the frame around the scrap material I had on hand

not aware of any "frame only" kits...

that said, the price of a decent complete kit is such that I would not hesitate to buy a full kit, then simply replace the controller board with whatever you want.

What do you guys suggest for a decent kit under 500 if I go that route.

stay away from acrylic kits
any of the kits  based on 20 20 from Folger tech will work.
I built the I3 kit and get good prints from it. It  does kinda need some frame bracing but no big deal
i also built a ft5  aslo a capable printer and i thought about a kossel kit but decided on an mono price ultimate instead.
I would suggest browsing through the folger forum and reading the successes and struggles  of others . But do not gtt bogged down by others experiences . take inventory or your own skills and make your own experience.  do your own research / homework  ultimatly you need to decide what is right for you

https://www.ebay.com/p/Hypercube-3d-Pri … amp;chn=ps

you can purchase t slot material and hardware from Mc Maser car and others . And cut it with a miter saw made for wood make sure you use the proper blade and safety at all times.

http://www.ratrig.com/d-bot-3d-printer- … dized.html

the other disadvantage to your own design is you are more or less on your own as there is will be little community support.

There are many factors to consider here . I think all of us that have built a kit have considered a scratch build.

Just assembling the plans and parts takes a bit of engineering  and purchasing know how.  not to mention time.

Yes it can be done . and done right you will have your dream printer. Good quality usa made parts are available but will cost a bit more.  go too cheap and you will be buying replacement parts. I know something you are trying to avoid.
I know buying a kit and upgrading pars seems a bit counter intuitive.  But I think in the long run you will save lots of time and likely money. the parts you do not use keep for spares or anther project or offer for sale here.

Take a look at the rail core project (way out of your budget @ $1600- $1800 just for parts) and i think you will see what we mean. Plus the time to order the parts and shipping from many vendors.

IMHO the frame is the relative easy part to build one can purchase  aluminum or steel angle and weld bolt or even rivet one together depending on skill experience and tool availability.
that is the beauty of 2020 or 3030 aluminium  hand tools and a good saw is all you need to assemble.
one still has to source or make things like rods /rails motion crews / and or belts motors  and the list goes on.  That is why we are suggesting kit.

The other possibility is there must be a fair number of abandoned or orphaned kits out there that people have purchases and lost interest in . this could be another option . this is not something i have researched . or a used 3d printer or two and use them as a base to build from.

Well considered and useful advice as always Heartless!

I just thought the OP might find that project interesting. There is a BOM for the project and 3 completed makes.

With 4 FDM printers in my print room, I've got enough spare parts and leftovers to build another printer but no place to put it once built.

This is indeed an expensive hobby, I have to buy a house with attic and basement in Boston area to fit all my printer.

Sell me the sd3 heartless?? Haha

You know there comes a time when you need to ask yourself if you have too many printers and why you need so many? If you need them to keep of with demand then you should just get what you need and make room for them. If you are getting them just to get them then you need to decide when enough is enough. Or sell the ones you have had experience with to make room for new ones you want to learn.

If you are doing this for a hobby then you really only need one or two at most. If you are doing it for a living then you will need many to make it profitable. Then you should consider renting a small building to put them in like many print farms do. If you are doing this for some extra income then you could probably get by with four or five units.

Then it come down to utilizing space efficiently. Get or make selves on one wall and put the printers on those shelves. On a six foot shelf you could put two to three printers easily. Then make the shelves from floor to ceiling with 3 foot spacing you could do three rows, possibly four if your machine are small format. So that is nine to twelve machines in a 6 by 10 area. Even a shelf that is 6 by 6 with two rows will hold 6 machines.

But then again it all comes down to what do you need, not what do you want.

I have no issue to fit these printer, but my baby girl learned to walk over the last year, and printer with touch screen is her favorite toy because machine beeps and change display when get touched at right spot. Also those printer with rotary encoder push button next to the display also fun to play with, MonoPrice V2 and Creality printer have similar design. She have paused my printer 10+ times but have not yet canceled a print so far, which is good news.

So put printer in living room/bed room is no longer an option, have to keep printer in basement and attic. Most of my printer are under $100, but shipping will cost $40+, really not worth of my time to list them on ebay and drive to post office at working hours.

Don't know how much I can teach under 2 years old what belong to her but I will try, lol.
The attics is finished and heated. Not printing in basement, too cold.