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SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → 3D Printer Discussion → Does any one have any thing to say about a HICTOP or a Prusa?
I am doing research on a new printer. My last printer was a Davinci and I don't want to go through that hell again so I am being careful. I am a student in high school and want to start a local printing service. The HICTOP printer has great reviews and a massive build space. I will be printing in ABS and maybe TPU. Do you believe that a HICTOP printer or a Prusa i3 are good printers? What were your problems?
The Prusa I3 is a solid popular design with a good reputation. Here is the catch it is open source which means anyone can use the basic design and sell a printer or kit with that name. It also means there are lot of variation in quality and varied materials.
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
The Folgertech 2020 Prusa i3 is a solid kit and does work pretty well. Does need a bit of tinkering with to get the X carriages even (will need to do that on any twin Z axis kit) but it isnt that bad.
The frame is quite sturdy and durable - I frequently carry mine around to shows and what not and it is holding up quite well.
jMAP2112,
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:
You may have a hard time printing ABS with that printer unless you make an enclosure or isolate it from drafts. ABS should be shielded from drafts and temp changes to avoid uneven cooling that will cause warping and layer separation. This is especially true with large and dense prints.
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.
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.
ABS must be shielded from drafts and temp changes to avoid uneven cooling that will cause warping and layer separation.
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
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 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.
I'll say it....
If you want to print ABS you will most likely find it beneficial to have an enclosure 
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.
Well said ward .
I think there is a tendency to turn best practice into the law or dogma. And while best practice is well the best wauy in most cases it does not mean it is the only way.
I know pla is best printed with a nozzle fan and I am still printing without one. Olmost a year. I should know better LOL.
Tin
Currently I have beautiful ABS prints coming out of an unenclosed machine and lower quality prints coming from the enclosed one. However, I do believe an enclosure is beneficial.
@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.
@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.
I have corrected my original statement. Hope it goes over better than the original.
All I can say is, do some long ABS prints at 100% infill during the middle of the day in the summer while the AC is running, and let me know if an enclosure helps
Hey guys i am Fairly new to this and im seeking out to huge help i bout a hictop pursa 13 mendel. just wont print i even tryed uploading firmware meant for this build honestly i dont know much but all i know if this is any way anyone have the firmware for this machine ill forever be in your debt if so email it to me at [email protected] i bought this and i feel like its becoming a paper weight and im going nuts trying to use it sense i built it
SoliForum - 3D Printing Community → 3D Printer Discussion → Does any one have any thing to say about a HICTOP or a Prusa?
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