1 Topic by Heartlander

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Topic: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

I have a nice Robox which is my mainline machine. It just works and takes care of itself with rarely any kind of issues. But, if I print Carbon Fiber on it I will eventually wear out the nozzles (and their needle valves and maybe the extruder too) and that would void the two-year (yeah!) standard warranty. Naturally, I don't want to do that.

I'm looking for a cheap printer to print ABS-Carbon Fiber, so probably not a Bowden and probably an all-metal hot end. Heated bed, of course. I would prefer an SD or USB thumb drive interface but USB cable might do too. Replaceable nozzles.

I really don't want to build a kit if I can help it. In fact, I would like a plug and play right out of the box. I've looked at the DaVinci 1.0 but can't quite get a warm fuzzy feeling. I know about the poor customer service and auto-leveling that doesn't. I don't mind manually adjusting it if that's really pretty much all I would need to do.

I also looked at several Prusa 13 variants. Most are in kit form. I'm starting to get printer-blind, I've looked at so many they are all starting to blur together.

What do you guys think?

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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2 Reply by widespreaddeadhead (edited by widespreaddeadhead 2016-03-23 17:56:41)

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Have you thought about just replacing the nozzle with a hardened or stainless nozzle, if that's possible? Robo had a "plug and play" printer on sale yesterday for 399 or 499, but I just checked and it must've ended yesterday.

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3 Reply by pirvan

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

you never mentioned the build size, so that would definitely affect the price. 

I think you should look at the Printrbot models.  Especially the Printrbot Simple, all metal design, direct metal extruder, easily replaceable hot end, and that darn thing just works, once you get over the stupid bed auto-leveling sensor and install a regular switch.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

4 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

The Robox has a detachable print head with needle valves in it. The nozzles are not user-serviceable. Build size could be 6" cubes and up.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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5 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Possibly the Wahno  I3 v2.     From what I see is is a modular kit so some assembly required. Semi Broken down for shipping.

Looks better built in a lot of ways than my FT kit.  better cable management bottom mount z motors heavier  z screws. and only $100 more. Steel frame vs aluminum 2020.  1 year warranty. worth a look. 
http://wanhaousa.com/products/duplicator-i3-steel-frame
$ 399 from wahano USA

Printer Specifications:

Included Printing Material: 10 Ft. of Black PLA Filament (Standard) or 2 Black PLA Filament Rolls (Optional)
Extruder: MK10 Single-Extruder (with Steel X-Carriage)
Filament Size: 1.75mm Dedicated
Layer Capability: 0.1mm (100 microns)
Build Envelope: 200mm x 200mm x 180mm (8in. x 8in. x 7in.)
Build Surface: Heated Bed Plate and Wanhao Adhesive Sheet
Filament Capabilities: PLA, ABS, PVA, Stainless Steel, NinjaFlex, Nylon, HIPS, Woodfill, LayBrick, CopperFILL, BronzeFILL, MOLDLAY, Conductive, Carbon Fiber, Polyurethane plus more!
Compatible Software: Repetier (Opensource), CURA (Opensource), MatterControl (Opensource), Simplify 3D (Details)
File Type: Gcode
File Transfer: microSD Card & USB
Frame Color: Steel Frame (Powder Coated Black)
Warranty: 1 Year FREE parts replacements and FREE in-shop service


tin

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6 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Check this. The Flash Forge clone, direct from the factory that makes them. $250 (shipped) for apparently an $800+ machine. This is hard to resist.

So... what to do... DaVinci 1.0... Printrbot Steel... Wanhao 13 Prusa clone... QIDI Flash Forge clone... what to do...  what to do...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QIDI-TECHNOLOGY … Swr7ZW6s24

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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7 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Think it through what features are a must for you.

IMHO I have heard nothing bad about the printrbot metal simple. A solid machine for $600
but no heated bed and a 4" cube  .

If you plan on printing ABS you pretty much need a heated bed and and enclosure.

There are lots of clones of clones pay your money take your chances.  for $250 I would expect a pre assembled kit that may need dismantling and reassembly. And likely upgrading. Lets play 3d printer limbo how low can we go without falling.
tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

8 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

I'm in, Tin! How about that $100 printer? Or that $200 delta? Or $150 SLA? How LOW can we GO? Right now I'm on Hold.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

Heartlander's Website

9 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Why not go for the gold and print colorfabb-xt carbon fibre. IIRC less issues with warping.
Tin

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

10 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

What i've read says the CF ABS prints very nice. Real stiff parts. But, it does wear out the nozzles. No word on how SS or hardened steel hold up.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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11 Reply by heartless

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

the hardened steel nozzles from E3D were designed specifically for printing with abrasive materials such as carbon fiber, metal fills and the like.

read here for more info: http://e3d-online.com/is-carbon-killing-your-nozzle

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12 Reply by Heartlander

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

Thanks, Heartless. Good information.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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13 Reply by heartless

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Re: The mythical plug and play <$700 ABS printer

welcome. I finally got to try my hardened steel nozzle out on the stuff I bought it for today. 3DXTech Carbon Fiber ABS.
and yes, it is quite a bit more rigid than regular ABS when printed and right off the spool - will snap very easily. Otherwise it prints up quite nicely, and it seems to be easier than regular ABS (less shrinkage)

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
SD4 #3 - in the works ~ Folgertech FT-5, rev 1
Printit Industries Beta Tester - Horizon H1