1 Topic by Ladman

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Topic: First time 3D Printer

Hello all,

I am new to 3d printing. I have ordered prints before, but i have never owned a 3d printer. I bought a Solidoodle 4 with a 8x8x8 print bed a few months back. When i first got it, i did all the calibrations for getting perfect circles to print. I was having issues with the Repeiter-host, so i downloaded the newest version a few days ago, and it works a lot better now.

I am having a few issues with the prints though.

The material i am using is PLA. I do not have a set of digital calipers yet, but will be getting some soon. I found a good pair on Amazon for 60 dollar. They are Origin.......

1) When the material comes out of the extruder it seems to be too much, because the extruder drags through it causing it to make a valley when printing. I dialed back the flow rate and feed rate to fix that but now its too slow at printing and too thin.

2) the infill is sloppy. I am using the rectangular fill, but it makes a bumpy surface and drags the material. I adjusted the settings in my infill settings, but i cant seem to get those right.

3) When printing, the extruder moves very very slow. It did print fast to start with, but now it is slow. I think that is because i have it making a solid layer every layer. but im not sure why it would be going so slow.

4) the finished top layer is all bumpy and not smooth, not sure which setting i need to make this come out smooth?

Thank you in advance for any help, i have been looking on this forum for a day or so for answers, but not sure exactly what i am looking for. So i apologize for all the noob questions.

2 Reply by earhornjones

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Re: First time 3D Printer

Items 1 and 2 sound like they could be related to your Z-axis calibration.  In other words, the extruder may be too close to the print bed.  Have you adjusted the Z-stop at all?

-Solidoodle 2 Pro with glass bed and custom enclosure.

3 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

I tried to adjust it .01mm at a time, but maybe i did not do it enough? what is a good z axis height to have it set to? if it is too high, it will drop the material and not place it right?

4 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

Set your layer size to 0.2963 and see if that improves your results. This number comes from the thread size on the rod. Search the forums for 2963 for detailed information. Do this for first layer as well.

5 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

jagowilson wrote:

Set your layer size to 0.2963 and see if that improves your results. This number comes from the thread size on the rod. Search the forums for 2963 for detailed information. Do this for first layer as well.

Will do, Thank You!!

6 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

The stock hotend also kind of makes a rough surface no matter what in my experience... i've only had my e3d on for about a week, but i rep it pretty hard. highly recommended upgrade. no more rough surfaces.

7 Reply by Ladman (edited by Ladman 2014-11-05 20:12:30)

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Re: First time 3D Printer

jagowilson wrote:

The stock hotend also kind of makes a rough surface no matter what in my experience... i've only had my e3d on for about a week, but i rep it pretty hard. highly recommended upgrade. no more rough surfaces.

How much of a pain was that to upgrade?

8 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2014-11-05 20:11:29)

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Re: First time 3D Printer

a different hotend which replaces the one that came with your printer. http://www.filastruder.com/products/all … -v6-hotend

you don't *have* to do this but you'll be a lot happier with your printer if you do smile

get your printer well calibrated before you consider upgrades, but in my opinion this is the first one you should do. you'll see a great reduction in random errors because let's face it--there's a reason expensive printers use the e3d.

9 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

Noted good sir. Ill wait to get it all calibrated then ill upgrade the hotend.

10 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

It's easy. Shoot me a pm when you buy it and I'll point you in the right direction. Elmoret, a member here, is the US distributor and he's more than happy to answer questions as well.

11 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

jagowilson wrote:

It's easy. Shoot me a pm when you buy it and I'll point you in the right direction. Elmoret, a member here, is the US distributor and he's more than happy to answer questions as well.


Outstanding. Thanks!!

I have tried other 3d forums to get answers and help with ZERO results. i have been on here one day, and already have gotten responses and help, THIS FORUM ROCX!!

12 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

If you want to use PLA you'll also be happier with the e3d. In the meantime, you'll get much better results with ABS using the stock hotend. Solidoodle claims support for PLA, but many members here have difficulty with it in the stock hotend from what I've seen, but I've never tried PLA.

13 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

yeah, I'm beginning to see that. I might have to switch over to ABS. PLA is cheep and all, but if it is going to keep giving me results like this, I just might have to make the switch.

14 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

ABS is nicer anyway. We have a makerbot in my lab which uses PLA and the parts are kind of brittle no matter what infill. ABS smells a little, but it's not bad for you--but feel free to look up the OSHA findings if you are at all concerned.

15 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

jagowilson wrote:

ABS is nicer anyway. We have a makerbot in my lab which uses PLA and the parts are kind of brittle no matter what infill. ABS smells a little, but it's not bad for you--but feel free to look up the OSHA findings if you are at all concerned.


Not concerned at all. I use it @ my house for various projects.

16 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: First time 3D Printer

Just wanted to pop in and agree with jagowilson. I've done a bunch of mods with my printer, and the E3D was the best decision. It never clogs, very easy to work with, easy to assemble.

Since you are running an SD4, you will either need to machine the aluminum extruder you have so it will fit, or you can print one of these bad boys. If you cannot print it, Filastruder sells them for $5...if you do print it yourself, ABS is recommended.

Once you've assembled the E3D, you will need to update the firmware. You can follow the instructions here .

Printit Mason and Printit Horizon printers
Multiple SD2s- Bulldog XL, E3D v5/v6/Lite6, Volcano, Hobb Goblin, Titan, .9 motor, Lawsy carriages, direct Y drive, fishing line...the list goes on
Filawinder and Filastruder #1870.....worth every penny!

17 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-11-05 22:30:43)

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Re: First time 3D Printer

ABS 'off gases' can cause bad eye irritant, headaches etc. but I bought a cheap air purifier at Walmart and extra activated charcoal  filters that can be cut to fit. total was like $25 and replace filters every 3 months. set it by printer so it grabs fumes and you wont notice anything anymore. thats what I did and now can run over 8hrs with no ill effects only barely smell plastic if go out doors and back in house. no eye or headache issues or bad smells that may set off smoke alarm. just dont leave unattended while printing like some as fan dont prevent fires lol

Solidoodle 2 with Deluxe kit cover & glass bed with heater. and 2nd board SD2 used not 3rd and alum platform not installed yet still wood. also need cooling fan installed to board. use Repetier Host couple vers. Slic3r also have all free ware STL programs

18 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

AZERATE wrote:

Just wanted to pop in and agree with jagowilson. I've done a bunch of mods with my printer, and the E3D was the best decision. It never clogs, very easy to work with, easy to assemble.

Since you are running an SD4, you will either need to machine the aluminum extruder you have so it will fit, or you can print one of these bad boys. If you cannot print it, Filastruder sells them for $5...if you do print it yourself, ABS is recommended.

Once you've assembled the E3D, you will need to update the firmware. You can follow the instructions here .

Good to know. I might just buy the new housing.

19 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

Jagowilson,

was curious to what this was, SD4+RUMBA+E3Dv6+SUPERNIGHT.

After i looked into it, thats a nice setup!

20 Reply by jagowilson

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Re: First time 3D Printer

thanks. i couldn't have gotten that far without this awesome community. by the way, could you jump in on this discussion and tell us how your circles are doing on your SD4? we're having a lot of trouble with them, so if you could print a simple circular object and post a picture, it might give us some clues as to what's going on if you can achieve perfect circles...

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8199/odd … t-results/

21 Reply by Ladman

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Re: First time 3D Printer

sure thing. I had an issue with them at first, but then did a full calibration and it has been fine since.