Anyone can add to it but lets keep it simple for the newbee

So again, I think it would be awesome to create a living document that users are required to read before signing up. This document should conglomerate all of the actual solutions to common problems. These may include hot end issues, bed heating issues, z wobble, enclosures, slicing files and settings, and then perhaps sections on mods in order from essential to cool to have.

I've sort of lost interest in being a part of this forum.  No meaningful posts stay active long enough to get recognized and generate interesting conversation. Instead, the new posts are increasingly full of one or two guys warring with words and the same questions for the millionth time.  As a side note, I've been teaching my 12 year old son about 3d printing and have been so proud of how much he has learned mostly from reading this site, but I no longer feel comfortable having him read the posts with the insane stuff being said. We are no prudes, but this is past out of control.  It was amazing in the beginning when there were 15-20 of us and we were solving problems left and right with verified solutions. With more very smart people, we should be making great mods and pushing the Doodle forward.

My suggestion may be, as others have mentioned, a soliforum area that has common problems with one locked solution as the first thing to show up. Comments could be made, maybe even locked to a select few, to suggest updates to the op. If each one of us that has lived with the Doodle for the majority of the time takes one section, it would minimize the work. I would be more than willing to help in any way needed to help get this forum back to being so helpful and such a pleasure to be a part of. Sorry for the rant, just getting tough to see what's happening here after so many great contributions from so many great people.

As someone strongly interested in getting a Solidoodle, this would easily sell me. I'm seeing all of this information scattered here and there, but for instance, I see people casually referring to an updated z-axis anti-backlash upgrade and don't know what they are specifically referring to. And I think I've seen people call to arms for a definitive guide from time to time, just no one wants to take the lead.

But please don't underestimate how much new users (silently) appreciate the tremendous amount of help you guys put into this.

I've sort of lost interest in being a part of this forum.  No meaningful posts stay active long enough to get recognized and generate interesting conversation. Instead, the new posts are increasingly full of one or two guys warring with words and the same questions for the millionth time.  As a side note, I've been teaching my 12 year old son about 3d printing and have been so proud of how much he has learned mostly from reading this site, but I no longer feel comfortable having him read the posts with the insane stuff being said. We are no prudes, but this is past out of control.  It was amazing in the beginning when there were 15-20 of us and we were solving problems left and right with verified solutions. With more very smart people, we should be making great mods and pushing the Doodle forward.

My suggestion may be, as others have mentioned, a soliforum area that has common problems with one locked solution as the first thing to show up. Comments could be made, maybe even locked to a select few, to suggest updates to the op. If each one of us that has lived with the Doodle for the majority of the time takes one section, it would minimize the work. I would be more than willing to help in any way needed to help get this forum back to being so helpful and such a pleasure to be a part of. Sorry for the rant, just getting tough to see what's happening here after so many great contributions from so many great people.

Which software seems to be the best?

Personally, I use Repetier-host mainly because of Ian's blog (http://solidoodletips.wordpress.com/201 … tier-host/) But other use Pronterface, I guess it's up to the user. In my experience, I'll say that repetier is easy, but I can't compare it to anything else, so take that for what its worth.

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1889/the … gs-around/

Which software seems to be the best?

what are you using now?

I brought the printer home for spring break and instead of doing those odd jobs around the house I have been jacking with this thing. One of my neighbors mowed my yard yesterday.

the hermit stage of owning a 3D printer will pass with time...

jcotton wrote:

Trial 3 just bit the dust after an hour. No photos yet but the ends are turning up. I did get glass cut the other day. 1/16th of an inch. Haven't tried hairspray yet. Have cleaned the glass regularly. It gets to a point the extruder just bumps the object until it comes loose. Going to very frustrating when we go back to school and we can't print designs.

Hair spray... I'm single and bald... how do I explain that purchase and which brand works best. 

LOL ^^

If you use glass the hair spray is a must... the plastic won't stick good enough to plain glass. I still use just the stock aluminum bed with kapton tape on it.. works great as long as it is cleaned with acetone once in a while.

The edges curling is caused by the previous layers retaining their heat too much/too soon next layer, it all depends on the object being printed and temps used and how soon the next layer goes over the same spot. You can have the slicing software slow it down or put delays between layers... also you might lower the temp after the first layer or install a fan aimed below the extruder tip.

Lol, just saw that because of the quote, anyhow.

The cheapest hairspray is usually the crappiest I.E. Aquanet,

I have plexiglass on the sides already using velcro. I had to something to keep students from hudelling behind my desk. I adjusted the Z axis for the glass and even had a gapping tool in my tool box for .300mm. As far as bumping the bottom is loose the extruder just slides the object when laying another layer.

Ahh, I've had many a print ruined by that movement, but the spray does wonders. What is your print bed temp at, and how long do you let it heat for?

Personally, I let my bed get to 104c and let it sit there for 10min to heat the environment. I know it's a bit warmer than others beds, but it seems to be working.