51 Reply by heartless

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

pap4tinker wrote:

Oh, nice CNC add on! How do you like it?

I got my beast almost done today, I have to wire the Y motors together and plug them in, and do something with the hot end wires for securing them  out of the way. Then on to firmware, end stops and test print I guess. Then on to lights, enclosure and viola!

to be perfectly honest, it is not all it is cracked up to be.. the spindle is ok for its size, the issue is on controlling it. There are no good manual controls to run the thing like one does using RH with 3d printing.

About the only way this will be really useful is to change the controller board to something more CNC specific

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

52 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

So are you using CNC router mode in RH ??

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

53 Reply by heartless

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Tin Falcon wrote:

So are you using CNC router mode in RH ??

That only works with Repetier Firmware - Not Marlin.
Yes, I tried it.. =/

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

54 Reply by pap4tinker

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Well, yesterday my beast came to life and made it's first print! WEEEEEE WHOOO HOOOO!!

The biggest problem is that something is interfering with the LCD screen output and causing it to show random symbols and an unreadable display once the machine starts operating. I read to twist the motor wires, but I'm hoping I can just deal with the problem on the motor wires UNDER the printer on the Z axis, NOT the entire wiring harness I spent 4 hours building to perfection and tediously getting everything together and just right! Oh man, I should have known better... hmm

55 Reply by heartless (edited by heartless 2017-11-07 14:09:41)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Congrats on getting her up and running! smile

the random character display is due to the LCD cables running too close to motor or other wires - it is a very common issue..

I have heard of folks wrapping the LCD cables in aluminum foil... not sure if that works or how well, but maybe something to look into further.

I spent probably 2 days on just the wiring alone.. twisting all wire sets before routing them.. just an fyi for future use.. twisting them also makes them more manageable. wink

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

56 Reply by pap4tinker

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

You know I started twisting the motor wires, but they kept trying to curl up. I guess I should have removed the ends from the plugs and twist them to do it right. Live and learn, live and learn. And yes, I would suspect the aluminum foil would do the trick, because shielded wiring has a metal type paper in it that I would suspect is aluminum foil. Thanks for the reply heartless.

57 Reply by yizhou.he

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

pap4tinker wrote:

You know I started twisting the motor wires, but they kept trying to curl up. I guess I should have removed the ends from the plugs and twist them to do it right. Live and learn, live and learn. And yes, I would suspect the aluminum foil would do the trick, because shielded wiring has a metal type paper in it that I would suspect is aluminum foil. Thanks for the reply heartless.

So It has been one month since your FT-5 up and running now, how is your overall experience with the FT-5 and printing quality?

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

58 Reply by aardbei

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Hi,

i start thinking to build my own FT-5 and read a lot this weekend about this printer.

One of the questions i have (and i hope someone can answer them) is what is
the exact size of frame parts?
I found a few sites listing the electronic parts of the FT-5  and modifications but none is
talking about the dimensions of the frame what i need to order.

59 Reply by heartless

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

aardbei wrote:

Hi,

i start thinking to build my own FT-5 and read a lot this weekend about this printer.

One of the questions i have (and i hope someone can answer them) is what is
the exact size of frame parts?
I found a few sites listing the electronic parts of the FT-5  and modifications but none is
talking about the dimensions of the frame what i need to order.

The frame, and everything else you need to build the FT-5 is part of the kit.
You do NOT need to purchase anything else to build it, or get it running.

If you are talking about building something similar to the FT-5, but by sourcing your own parts.. there are plenty of other projects out there that give all dimensions for building one. Some are even similar to the FT-5 already.

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

60 Reply by aardbei (edited by aardbei 2017-12-10 21:04:44)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Thanks for your quick answer.

I already own a prusa i3, printed a lot of components and have motors and most of the electronics
so it makes no sense for me to buy a kit.
As i said. i found a lot of information but nothing about the length of the parts of the frame of the FT-5.

Okay. i found the exact part list with the lenghts i need.

61 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

aardbei wrote:

Thanks for your quick answer.

I already own a prusa i3, printed a lot of components and have motors and most of the electronics
so it makes no sense for me to buy a kit.
As i said. i found a lot of information but nothing about the length of the parts of the frame of the FT-5.

It comes with the frame parts included as Heartless stated. So there is no need to know the size of those parts unless you are trying to source those parts yourself for some other reason or you think you can get them at a lower cost. If you need to know the size of the parts then the only place you might find them is in the manual under the parts list. Go to their site and download the manual. They have all of their manuals available for download.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

62 Reply by aardbei

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Hi,

Thanks! i've found them in the manual as you mentioned.

63 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

I already own a prusa i3, printed a lot of components and have motors and most of the electronics
so it makes no sense for me to buy a kit.
As i said. i found a lot of information but nothing about the length of the parts of the frame of the FT-5.

I have my own FT5 R1.  I to have contemplated a scratch build kit  . but buying a kit makes a whole lot more sense , You get all the parts you need.  Well almost there are usual a couple that are missing or defective.
But just putting together a bill of materials and then ordering all the parts takes time . 

All I can say is look over the manual thoroughly before deciding.

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

64 Reply by heartless

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

i might also add that there are very few "printed" parts in the FT5 kit.

and you will be hard pressed to source all of the parts for less money than the kit will cost you

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

65 Reply by yizhou.he (edited by yizhou.he 2017-12-11 03:59:00)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

I seriously thought about this option, if order from Amazon:

The frame will cost $120
The board+Motor driver and LCD $70
5X NEMA 17 Step motor $60
Z axis rod + XY axis belt + pully $60
Screws $20
Wires $20
DuPont kit $20
E3D V6 HotEnd + Fans $60
Heated bed + glass $70
Power Supply $55
Total:$555

So, if you have issue with order from aliexpress and buy Chinese clones, you will end up spend more money than buy the kits.

If you order from aliexpress, it will take long time to arrive, you can buy much better model board + motor driver + LCD, and you can control the cost under $350 and will end up with many extra parts (For cheap parts, buy extra in case some of them have quality issues). You will have to deal with customer service if item don't arrive on time. (You will have to deal with customer service about missing parts if you buy FT-5 kits also based on multiple people's experience posted online.)

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

66 Reply by Tin Falcon (edited by Tin Falcon 2017-12-12 00:27:01)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

And you did not even mention the cable chain or cut parts.
You may have included that in with other thing

(You will have to deal with customer service about missing parts if you buy FT-5 kits also based on multiple people's experience posted online.)

This is true but I have found folger tech to be decent in providing any misting or defective parts.

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

67 Reply by yizhou.he (edited by yizhou.he 2017-12-12 00:44:55)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

Tin Falcon wrote:

And you did not even mention the cable chain or cut parts.
You may have included that in with other thing

This is true but I have found folger tech to be decent in providing any misting or defective parts.


Cable chain and cut parts can be 3D printed, so may be need to add cost for filaments.

I'm sure customer service with folger tech are great. My experience with aliexpress customer service are also very good, definitely much better than XYZprinting. Their English actually better than mine. They always offer refund or replacement, but I only buy in store with good reputation.

However, replacement from folger tech will arrive much faster than aliexpress, and waiting for replacement is much more torture than initial ordering because you are in middle of mess and pause for three week is not acceptable.

If I have to order from aliexpress, it have to be much cheaper and comparable quality and I can afford to order extra as backup. Otherwise I would order from amazon and keep the replacement part arrived three weeks later as backup.

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

68 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

yizhou.he wrote:
Tin Falcon wrote:

And you did not even mention the cable chain or cut parts.
You may have included that in with other thing

This is true but I have found folger tech to be decent in providing any misting or defective parts.


Cable chain and cut parts can be 3D printed, so may be need to add cost for filaments.

I'm sure customer service with folger tech are great. My experience with aliexpress customer service are also very good, definitely much better than XYZprinting. Their English actually better than mine. They always offer refund or replacement, but I only buy in store with good reputation.

However, replacement from folger tech will arrive much faster than aliexpress, and waiting for replacement is much more torture than initial ordering because you are in middle of mess and pause for three week is not acceptable.

If I have to order from aliexpress, it have to be much cheaper and comparable quality and I can afford to order extra as backup. Otherwise I would order from amazon and keep the replacement part arrived three weeks later as backup.

you make an assumption this kit is not the builders first printer and that they have another or at the very least have access to another printer for printed parts. This could be a builders first printer and they may not have access to another printer. So printing needed parts is not always an option for some.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

69 Reply by yizhou.he

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

carl_m1968 wrote:

you make an assumption this kit is not the builders first printer and that they have another or at the very least have access to another printer for printed parts. This could be a builders first printer and they may not have access to another printer. So printing needed parts is not always an option for some.

Not assumption.

aardbei wrote:

Thanks for your quick answer.

I already own a prusa i3, printed a lot of components and have motors and most of the electronics
so it makes no sense for me to buy a kit.
As i said. i found a lot of information but nothing about the length of the parts of the frame of the FT-5.

Okay. i found the exact part list with the lenghts i need.

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

70 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

yizhou.he wrote:
carl_m1968 wrote:

you make an assumption this kit is not the builders first printer and that they have another or at the very least have access to another printer for printed parts. This could be a builders first printer and they may not have access to another printer. So printing needed parts is not always an option for some.

Not assumption.

aardbei wrote:

Thanks for your quick answer.

I already own a prusa i3, printed a lot of components and have motors and most of the electronics
so it makes no sense for me to buy a kit.
As i said. i found a lot of information but nothing about the length of the parts of the frame of the FT-5.

Okay. i found the exact part list with the lenghts i need.

I was referring to anyone who might be reading this thread. The poster is not the only person that might be taking notes in a thread so you need to make sure you address and think of any and all who might be reading this public thread. Notice I did not address or call out a specific poster in my statement but kept it broad.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

71 Reply by yizhou.he (edited by yizhou.he 2017-12-12 02:18:00)

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

ok, in general, I recommend against buying ft5 as first 3d printer. I would aslo recommend against buy parts and assamble one's first 3d printer, based on my common sense if it is not obviouse enough.

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

72 Reply by rkjdpika

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

I purchased FT-5 six weeks ago, and I did okay with the mechanical build and seems very solid, but I have had trouble with the electrical assembly.
First the end X-End Stop worked, but the Y & Z end stops did not. I compared the wiring for the X-ES (supplied with the wire harness) with the wiring supplied in the package with the end stops with the other two, and they were different. When I rewired them the lights cam on, and the control recognised the end stops when on and off.
When starting the printer and setting home the Y-axis worked for a while (it jumped a few times at the end stop and stopped working), but the other two axis never worked. 
The bed and tip heaters and thermistors work, but the extruder has never worked.
Folger Teck said to check and adjust voltage on the stepper drivers but they do not change from the original voltage (0.504 to 0.462 V).
I was researching info on drivers and stepper motors, and an assembly manual for another printer said that incorrect wiring on the end stops can fry the board.
I am very frustrated, and have not had a response from Folger Teck in 6 days.
Any suggestions?
R
I was reading

73 Reply by yizhou.he

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

picture of the board and maybe some video showing the problem will be helpful. otherwise recommended test list will be very long.

(Da Vinci 1.0, Jr. 1.0 RAMPS, miniMaker) X4, (Creality CR-10S, CR-10 mini, Ender-3) X4, Anycubic MEGA X4, Anycubic Chrion X1, ADMILAB Gantry X2 (MonoPrice Maker Select V2, Plus, Ultimate)X4--Select mini X1, Anycubic photon X4, Wanhao duplicate D7 X1.
iNSTONE Inventor Pro X2, CTC Dual X2, ANET-A8, Hictop 3DP-11, Solidoodle Press, FLSUN I3 2017X1

74 Reply by heartless

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

yizhou.he wrote:

I seriously thought about this option, if order from Amazon:

The frame will cost $120
The board+Motor driver and LCD $70
5X NEMA 17 Step motor $60
Z axis rod + XY axis belt + pully $60
Screws $20
Wires $20
DuPont kit $20
E3D V6 HotEnd + Fans $60
Heated bed + glass $70
Power Supply $55
Total:$555

So, if you have issue with order from aliexpress and buy Chinese clones, you will end up spend more money than buy the kits.

If you order from aliexpress, it will take long time to arrive, you can buy much better model board + motor driver + LCD, and you can control the cost under $350 and will end up with many extra parts (For cheap parts, buy extra in case some of them have quality issues). You will have to deal with customer service if item don't arrive on time. (You will have to deal with customer service about missing parts if you buy FT-5 kits also based on multiple people's experience posted online.)

1. an E3D for $60 is NOT a genuine E3D.. If you are going to buy one, at least buy the real thing.
2. the list of stuff you have given totals MORE than the cost of the kit,
3. and you have not taken into account the cost of the filament, nor the time and energy to print the parts you are talking about printing...
4. the kit has EVERYTHING you need to build the printer and get it running. There is NOTHING that "has" to be added to make it functional.

Therefore, your "plan" is flawed...

This is the kit under discussion in this thread... https://folgertech.com/products/folger- … rinter-kit
Take note of the price... $499.00

As far as dealing with FolgerTech customer service - they are fine to deal with. It is a very small company and as such, is much more amiable in their approach to things than an overseas supplier ever thought of being.

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

75 Reply by Kronikabuse

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Re: Folgertech FT-5 R2 build

he loves his clones

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm