SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-12T12:02:48Z

ABS Extruder fan is more to do with Layer *duration* than *height*.... If a layer takes 5 seconds to print - say the top of a head, or an outstretched hand above the head, etc.. then it will not have sufficent time to cool before the next layer... this is when a fan for use with ABS can help. Or with bridging large spans, as it helps to cool the 'threads' of filament and hold them horizontal.

But layer height itself is not relevant.. just the duration.

Anyway - as for the 'must do' mods - there isn't any really. There is lots of common issues with common fixes, but not everyones printer suffers the same problems. As I've offered to others before - what you really need to do is just *use* your printer for minimum of a few weeks, learn your particular printers 'quirks', and then plan around from there. People have often made matters worse for themselves by launching into massive mod-fests the day they get their printer.

After you've used it a few weeks - you will know the problems you most need to fix.

(P.s.. hold off on the Mk5 - if you have the newer aluminium extruder its needs may not be as great as they once where for the acrylic jigsaw extruders...)

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-12T04:09:19Z

aaronstalling wrote:

Is it true an extruder fan is required to print at 0.1mm?

Maybe with PLA but not with ABS. An extruder fan will help with small items/small perimeters and bridging though. Adding a fan isn't that difficult so it can be a fun mod to do.

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-12T03:10:03Z

Is it true an extruder fan is required to print at 0.1mm?

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-12T01:38:44Z

While technically you could print some piece together panels it would be easier, cheaper, quicker, cleaner, and more aesthetically pleasing to buy some acrylic or lexan panels to make an enclosure.

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-12T00:18:21Z

Is locally sourcing arcylic panels the best enclosure? Or would it be worth printing up some panels?

Re: What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-11T23:20:27Z

MK-5 should be the first thing you print and that should be on glass with hairspray. This should all be done right after you do proper calibrations (check the WIKI) and alignments of the belts. Then plan out your enclosure you will want one pretty much right away. Coming up with slic3r profiles that work well for the kinds of things you want to print is probably one of the best things you can do. Understand that the original hot end is functional but eventually you will want to switch to an all metal hot end such as the E3D. Other than that just spend some time searching the forum for tips and ask questions.

What are the "must do" mods/hacks?

2014-04-11T23:01:53Z

I'll be getting a SD2 pro or SD3 soon. Are there any mods that I should print and install ASAP?
What hacks are also a must have?