@carl_m I think you'd get less flak if your statement was less absolute as Pirvan said.  If you prefaced the statement with something like, "In my experience," it would be less absolute while still sharing your experience which is just as valuable as anyone else's.

+1 ^ Very well said

I too am certainly able to print ABS without an enclosure.

@carl_m I think you'd get less flak if your statement was less absolute as Pirvan said.  If you prefaced the statement with something like, "In my experience," it would be less absolute while still sharing your experience which is just as valuable as anyone else's.

Here are a couple of my humble observations.
Certain rolls of ABS seem to print fine without an enclosure.
Results may very based on your local climate or time of year.
Some prints are just more sensitive to drafts and the resulting shrinkage.
There are definitely users on both sides of the fence that will argue which is better.
Maybe ask yourself, how do the really expensive industrial printers do it?

It's easy to create a simple enclosure with cardboard or my favorite, Saran Wrap.
Try both and see for yourself what works best for your situation.
Personally I prefer an enclosure and would put my prints up against the best.  I would also like to express that pirvan and Carl both produce great results with their machines as well.

Side note: @ pirvan & Carl
You are both valued members of the community, so chill the hell out and focus on helping the OP.

I think I am done helping and making comments around here. Seems many of my suggestions are unheard of by many and just flat out wrong by others even though I too have been printing for 6 years plus and should know some things as well. After all I did buy, build, and mod one of the first Cupcakes (2009) which I believe predate even the Prusa and all you other open frame printers. But then again most of you would not even know what a cupcake was. So maybe my knowledge is just out dated. So it's been fun but I am tired of being corrected on so many post with comments like that is nonsense and other less tactful comments. This is supposed to be a professional forum and not just some personal blog. If you feel a comment is wrong you should approach it from a professional level and say something along the line of are you sure you need one? I have been doing fine without one by doing this. See how much better and professional that sounds then just saying that's nonsense?

So that being said I think I will refrain from offering advice for a while till this place can get a little more processional in attitude and approach to other members comments.

Back to the post subject, you Privan are one of the few who make such a claim. The internet is full of users that have tried to print ABS on an Open frame and they all have had to make an enclosure of some sort. Even on this very forum the advantages and need of an enclosure are highly advised. But maybe they all could be wrong as well, I don't know.

I apologize for saying your statement is nonsense, maybe I should have approached it differently, but even at work I'm know to speak my mind., so if my statement offended you I'm sorry...

...but,

My biggest problem with some of your posts, is you make statements that sound "empirical"  Such as the one above:  You will not be able to print ABS with that printer unless you make an enclosure. .  It has no basis in facts, and it's nothing more than YOUR OPINION.

It's one thing when we have a spirited discussion about the benefits of some mod over another (like in this case an enclosure), but to make such an emphatic statement  to someone who's new, doesn't know any better yet, and is looking for helpful answers, is anything but helpful.

I'm not trying to crap your posts, but I do need to say something when I think I see a misguided statement.

If you think I'm wrong about this, then perhaps you should start a poll here to find out how many of our users print with ABS and have felt the need to enclose their printer because they COULD NOT PRINT without it.

And if you know of any place on the web that say you can't print ABS without and enclosure I would like to see it.

So that being said I think I will refrain from offering advice for a while till this place can get a little more processional in attitude and approach to other members comments.

Back to the post subject, you Privan are one of the few who make such a claim. The internet is full of users that have tried to print ABS on an Open frame and they all have had to make an enclosure of some sort. Even on this very forum the advantages and need of an enclosure are highly advised. But maybe they all could be wrong as well, I don't know.

You will not be able to print ABS with that printer unless you make an enclosure.

That is nonsense.

You'll be just fine.  The proof is that the majority of the Mendel, Prusa, and delta style printers don't have an enclosure.  I have been printing successfully for over 3 years without one, and I print ABS exclusively.

Having an enclosure will indeed help with uneven cooling due to drafts and such, but it's by no means "required"  If you have layer separation or cracks, and you think it's due to air drafts,  then just find where the draft is coming from and put a piece of cardboard in front of the printer.

During the hot summer days, I use a oscillating fan in the room, so I just turn it so it doesn't blow towards the printer.  That's all.

It's not thi doom and gloom scenario some

Smaller or hollow fill prints may not even need an enclosure.

At least this has been my experience since my printer does set across the living room from the AC vent. I am in the process of building a PVC frame that will be covered in clear vinyl to keep the CTC isolated from that draft.

We just bought a HICTOP Prusa i3 last month(August) from eBAY, shipped from Pennsylvania, its cost is $340, free shipping,
arrived in 5 days, good package, nothing is damaged, everything looks good.
If you had some experience in the other 3D printers before, and  follow their instructions, the assembly and calibration are very
simple, we just leveled the heat bed only,  easier than SD printers.
But PLA is recommended for this printer, so we did a lot of PLA parts without any problem, but didn't try ABS.

Hope you will get a good printer to fit your requirement, if you need some useful 3D models, go to "WWW.TRINPY.COM",
if you need some custom design, go to "WWW.AOYOU3DUSA.COM".

Here are some pictures:

The frame is quite sturdy and durable - I frequently carry mine around to shows and what not and it is holding up quite well.

a quick google search shows the HICTOP brand has less than a stellar reputation.
If i were to buy an I3  kit I would look for one shipped out of the USA and one with a metal frame rather than acrylic.

Makerfarm has a good reputation for service and  quality .
The MF kit is $ 490 and you need to buy a power supply for another $ 25 -$30
http://www.makerfarm.com/index.php/prus … usion.html

You may also want to look at folger tech.
The FT kit is only $ 269 ships from the USA has an aluminum frame there is at least one build log/review of that kit on this forum. This kit does not contain a lcd screen /controler but it is a $12 add on. And you need a piece of glass for the build plate
http://folgertech.com/collections/2020- … rinter-kit

If you plan to print in ABS you it is recommended you build an enclosure. The I3 is an open framed machine better suited to pla.

Also if you plan on TPU make sure you're hot end can get to the higher temps. TPU prints between 245 and 265 c
you may need an ed6 hot end. they are an $30 upgrade option from makerfarm or about $ 80 to buy outright.
Tin