1 Topic by volvodr66

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Topic: New printer, what to buy?

I already have a Davinci Pro 1.0 that I’ve upgraded with a E3d nozzle and 2 print fans that does fairly well but I’m thinking about getting another printer and I want to get something that would be considered an upgrade to what I have.  Or at least, something I could upgrade myself and make better.

I was looking at Creality Ender 3 Pro with Carbon Crystal Coat Glass Bed.  What do you guys think about this one?  Do you prefer the glass bed over the magnetic one?  Would you consider the Ender an upgrade over the Davinci, or not.

What type of nozzle comes on the Ender 3’s?  Is it as good as the E3d?  If not, can it be replaced by an E3d?

Any other suggestions around the same price range.  I mainly print PLA but I do occasionally print ABS as well.  Almost never do flexible and have never done any thing else and probably will never have a need to.  Figure I can keep the Davinci for ABS since it has the enclosure so it’s not imparative that the new printer prints ABS either.

Thanks for any input.

2 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

I think the Ender Pro 3 is impossible to beat for the price. $250 on Amazon with 2-day prime shipping. I haven't ever used one but for the features, they seem really nice.

Creality Ender Pro 3

They also seem to be the Honda Civic of the 3D printer world. There are tons of available upgrades. Yes, you can add a E3D to you ender pro 3.

Thingiverse Ender Pro 3 upgrades

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

3 Reply by volvodr66 (edited by volvodr66 2019-02-22 03:12:25)

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

2n2r5 wrote:

I think the Ender Pro 3 is impossible to beat for the price. $250 on Amazon with 2-day prime shipping. I haven't ever used one but for the features, they seem really nice.

Creality Ender Pro 3

They also seem to be the Honda Civic of the 3D printer world. There are tons of available upgrades. Yes, you can add a E3D to you ender pro 3.

Thingiverse Ender Pro 3 upgrades

They also have the CR-10 for $399 and the CR-10S with duel z lead screws for $509.  Is it worth the extra?  That’s quite a steep jump from the Ender.  Am I really going to get that much better quality for an extra $150 to $250 or should I just stay with the Ender?

4 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

The main difference between the ender 3 and the CR series is size. if a 8" print bed works for you  . then that is likely the obvious choice. the cr series is a 12 in cube so you can do large prints.

added price likely also has added features.

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

5 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

If it is in your price range the cr-10s pro has a bondtech extruder and does mesh bed leveling. $650 ish range. That is still more machine than you'd be able to build yourself for the same money.

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

6 Reply by tonyno

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

I'm really liking the specs of the Sidewinder-X1 by Artillery. $500 price-point, direct drive, 300*300*400mm print volume, Volcano hot-end, line-powered heated bed, and the new, quiet stepper drivers. The only negative for some would be no auto-leveling system.

7 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2019-02-22 15:37:48)

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Re: New printer, what to buy?

tonyno wrote:

I'm really liking the specs of the Sidewinder-X1 by Artillery. $500 price-point, direct drive, 300*300*400mm print volume, Volcano hot-end, line-powered heated bed, and the new, quiet stepper drivers. The only negative for some would be no auto-leveling system.

Auto leveling is still beta on most firmwares so it is not always accurate. It too like the XYZ also does not take in to account your desired layer thickness. If it sets the level for a .1 layer but you print a .3 your first layer will be extremely squished. Causing excessive adhesion as well as an elephants foot.

So I see having it as more of a break point. It would be one of the first things I would disable and remove.

I would also strongly suggest against buying a printer that does not have support and a parts supplier located in the US. You should also stick with one that has a strong online community as well if you do have issues.

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.