1 Topic by b.z.w

  • b.z.w
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-02
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Pro Model and other questions

Hi Guys


New here but I have been enjoying the forum and eying up a Solidoodle 2 for awhile now and the funds have finally come together.

I don't have anything to contribute as of yet... only questions. My apologizes if these are topics that get covered every other week but searches returned very little.


So... without further ado, the questions:

1) Is the Solidoodle 2 Pro worth the extra $100 over the base model?
I plan on using the printer for ABS parts (and Nylon if they can get that one figured out)... with as high a resolution as possible. If I don't get the pro model would it be difficult to add a heated bed later? A cardboard box will serve well enough for the enclosure.

2) Do Solidoodle offer cheaper shipping methods?
I'm in NZ, which happens to be about as far from anything as it is possible to be. Solidoodle quote $150 for priority shipping, seeing as I will have a few weeks to wait before the printer is sent anyway I thought I might as well try save $50-$100 and simply let it take a couple more weeks.

3) Are there any parts I should order extra of (e.g hot end)?
Being on the backside of the world its going to cost me a fair bit to have anything shipped here if the need arises.

4) What upgrade if any are recommended to get the best out of the printer with the least amount of effort?
E.g Zero backlash nut (no idea what it does but it sounds like a cheap improvement)

I swear there were a bunch more but I guess that about covers it for now.


Cheers!
Ben

2 Reply by nlancaster (edited by nlancaster 2013-05-02 17:00:09)

  • nlancaster
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-03-20
  • Posts: 266

Re: Pro Model and other questions

Heated build platform is totally worth it. 

First mod to do,  Glass bed. 1000% better stick and flatness when printing.  http://www.soliforum.com/topic/160/glass-bed/

Extra nut to help with Z-axis backlash, worth it and easy big_smile

And print a replacement extruder assembly ASAP because you dont want to have to wait on acrylic parts if yours breaks.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:40711

Also, may want to chat with solidoodle support in IRC. Maybe they could give your machine some extra special QA because you are so freaking far away shipping wise?  Maybe some better packing too?

3 Reply by Charles_Xavier

  • Charles_Xavier
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Indiana
  • Registered: 2013-04-11
  • Posts: 127

Re: Pro Model and other questions

I think you will find that a lot of serious SD owners upgrade their SD's Heated Build Plate anyway, even if they do go Pro. I asked over here if it would be beneficial to just get a basic SD and then build a HBP from scratch and the bottom line is that it would be cheaper, but more difficult.

4 Reply by b.z.w

  • b.z.w
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-02
  • Posts: 4

Re: Pro Model and other questions

Thanks guys!

Will ask the support guys here on the forum about the shipping. All going according to plan I will order it tonight.

5 Reply by Staffordknot

  • Staffordknot
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-04-28
  • Posts: 199

Re: Pro Model and other questions

I asked about shipping times beginning of the week i just got the generic 8 to 10 week answer. I've read on various posts reference to the solidoodle products not having a 12 month warranty? Is this true? And can any american answer me do you know have automatic warranty on all your products?

6 Reply by ronsii

  • ronsii
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: PNW
  • Registered: 2012-10-28
  • Posts: 1,723

Re: Pro Model and other questions

As far as I know you only have what warranty is mentioned... although I know a lot of retailers here(USA) usually sell things and cover any problems even if a product is NOT warranted by the manufacturer especially with the chinese stuff... in other words the retailer eats it but they make up for it with the fairly good markup smile

7 Reply by Charles_Xavier

  • Charles_Xavier
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Indiana
  • Registered: 2013-04-11
  • Posts: 127

Re: Pro Model and other questions

Staffordknot wrote:

I've read on various posts reference to the solidoodle products not having a 12 month warranty? Is this true?

No warranty, per se, but they've been really good about doing right by their customers. I think it's considered an unstated warranty until they stop providing free replacement services.


Staffordknot wrote:

And can any american answer me do you know have automatic warranty on all your products?

Of course not, a vast majority of products have no sort of warranty at all, and many of those that do have a "defects" warranty, which they can hide behind and claim your issues are not their fault or problem.

8 Reply by b.z.w

  • b.z.w
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-02
  • Posts: 4

Re: Pro Model and other questions

I think Staffordknot was referring to consumer protection laws.

For instance in New Zealand we have the "consumer guarantees act" which basically means goods sold must be of an acceptable quality (vs price) and work as advertised for an acceptable period of time: e.g. If you buy a fridge and it dies before a year is out you can get the fridge replaced even if it is not covered by warranty as if you are buying a fridge you expect it to work for more then a year.

9 Reply by mark.burhop

  • mark.burhop
  • mark.burhop
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Huntsville, AL
  • Registered: 2013-05-01
  • Posts: 205

Re: Pro Model and other questions

Hi bzw,

I'm on the same path as you thinking about getting the low end Solidoodle and adding my own heater bed and building my own "environment cover".

I am curious how many hours it took.

Mark

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
NX and Solid Edge CAD user
PI, Galileo, and arduino hacker
Code Monkey and Twitter user @burhop

mark.burhop's Website

10 Reply by b.z.w

  • b.z.w
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-02
  • Posts: 4

Re: Pro Model and other questions

Yet to buy a printer... main sticking point for me is the shipping cost: USPS indicate shipping is around $70 for an item of that size and weight (taking into account the extra 6" or so the packing box adds the the dimensions) to New Zeland so having a hard time understanding why Solidoodle are asking for $150. Might have to find someone State side to receive the box and on ship it.