New extruder (sits low) - davinci extruder is top heavy and wobbles limiting speed and quality
New heated bed -  special glass to prevent glass warping
New gt2 pulley and gears - better grip and can handle faster speeds - low maintenance
Running .092 repetier - better sofware slicer s3d - does an amazing job at preparing models
I installed hardened steel shafts on x axis with high quality linear bearings for smoother transitions and speed

So far I am printing high quality stuff with different filaments not just abs. It's almost comparable to high end printers.

Soon I am installing ramps and marlin which will run the machine quiet and less vibrations and faster speeds.

I want to eventually change the bed design to something more stable. Honestly you can do anything with this printer, you just have to have the motivation.

I don't know about others here but for me the Da Vinci is/was always a steeping stone. It is relatively cheap and a good introduction to 3D printing (if everything works as it should). I intend to upgrade at some point when I reach the limits of the machine tho.

I agree entirely.  My Davinci took me from spectator to 3D printer owner.  I am loving it and starting to explore what these things can do.  I assume I'll use my Davinci for all it's worth and buy something better once my skills and designs are worthy of better equipment.

Part of the origin of this topic is the essential question of:  As I learn more and do more, when should I upgrade to a nicer printer?

My unit hasn't really had a good track record with detailed models and articulated prints.  More of them fail than succeed.  However, many of the failures track back to the two slightly damaged components it has -- the hot end, and the warped build plate.  (I broke a wire on the original thermistor, and have never been confident the new one was perfectly accurate)

When the new hotend and the borosilicate glass bed get installed and are working, I am expecting many improvements, but know it will still be "improvable"

Being that the DaVinci is my first and only printer, it has been challenging to get a handle on what my expectations should be, and whether or not my prints are achieving those expectations.  (Let's face it, current FFF isn't a Star Trek replicator by any means)  My journey to understand the root causes of printing issues has a long way to go.  I still wonder whether the limits are my knowledge, my filament, the FFF process, my designs, my slicing software, and/or my printer/slicer settings.  Sure I can make test prints and see how they differ from "ideal", but I'm a long way from knowing how to go from viewing a test print and really knowing why it was imperfect and how to improve it.

So far I have been impressed with it. Admittedly I am inexperienced with 3D printing but it seems to work just fine if one has some technically knowledge and competence.

Right out of the box I have done some improvements and a little jiggering and pokering. I have spent zero on these improvements and you can't get better than that.

So far, apart from some kinds of filament, I really can't see what my Da Vinci 1.0a can't do that a much higher priced printer can.
I have printed very nice detailed models, articulated prints, wood and a load of other stuff. For £400 for what it is I don't think the novice who knows little can get better (again, assuming it all works)

I will buy a printer that is a little more robust and that can print nylon and flexible filaments at some point but until them the Da Vinci does me fine (you watch now I have said all that it will explode or something).

I'm getting ready to do another round of mods to my Davinci to fix a couple of my unit's worst weaknesses.  (New E3D V6 hot end to allow wide range of filament types and a new flat glass hotbed to replace the warped original that caused all sorts of issues.)

I'm curious: for those of us willing to upgrade parts, run custom firmware, etc. what is the limit a Davinci 1.0 can print at?  (Let's limit mods to keeping the majority of the electronics and drive axis components.  Firmware, bed, bushings, extruder, filament holders are all fair game to mod, plus tuning things like tightening up the belts and pulleys.)

Some obvious limits:

• Build area can't be expanded, so 200x200x200 is a limitation.

• Limited to one extruder.  (Unless you bought the 2.0)

• Inherent FFF limitations like supports and shrinkage

What other limits does a modded DaVinci have?  What would be a reasonable limit to print quality, etc. to aspire to attain?  What pro-printer features are not realistically attainable?  Could it print as well as a big-name single extruder printer with a similar build area?

Most of the wiring on the moving sections is garbage and will break. So you may want to build your own X axis harness with some more flexible wire. When I had mine I was considering using USB cable.

I'm curious: for those of us willing to upgrade parts, run custom firmware, etc. what is the limit a Davinci 1.0 can print at?  (Let's limit mods to keeping the majority of the electronics and drive axis components.  Firmware, bed, bushings, extruder, filament holders are all fair game to mod, plus tuning things like tightening up the belts and pulleys.)

Some obvious limits:

• Build area can't be expanded, so 200x200x200 is a limitation.

• Limited to one extruder.  (Unless you bought the 2.0)

• Inherent FFF limitations like supports and shrinkage

What other limits does a modded DaVinci have?  What would be a reasonable limit to print quality, etc. to aspire to attain?  What pro-printer features are not realistically attainable?  Could it print as well as a big-name single extruder printer with a similar build area?