1 Topic by nobias

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Topic: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

Just bought my 1st printer the Solidoodle 3 from the Solidoodle web store, and then saw that they - just after that - removed the model off their web page, mmmm, might explain the low price, lol

Anyway it arrived somewhat damaged from the head coming lose and sliding all over the place while in transit. The only real damage i can see is the belt that was mounted on the left side. Apparently the screw came loose, but i don't see where it attaches and the Videos and pics i can find show a different head style (Acrylic clear plastic on extruder - where mine has none). In addition there is no test filament with it - as their site states - would be included. And possibly missing parts.

This is my first printer - tho I have months of research and some DIY design under my belt, so i have a fair idea of what I'm looking at and how to use the printer. But even so - I just found this site - and will be here often.

My first question for now tho is: Do I go ahead and fix this, re-calibrate, modify, etc. myself? or should I work with the manufacturer? In other words has anyone had experience with the Solidoodle maker and their technical help? And which path to fixing this would you recommend?

2 Reply by accusedmonk

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

Well, the reason I bought mine is for exactly this.  Something to learn, break, fix, modify, and grow with is what I wanted.  I can't speak from experience with solidoodle support, but from reading the forums it's slacking.  The community here is wonderful and plenty of friendly makers willing to help out.

Once you start working on it and solving problems you run into, it will be an itch you'll constantly scratch!  I've spent most of my time and money on upgrading and modifying my printer so far.  In my opinion it's the best route to go.  Buying a cheaper, less refined printer is like starting at level 1 in a game and working your way up to the end.  You get to learn the ins and outs, find your own paths, and build upon your knowledge from a good base.

If you can, take some pictures and post them of what you described was wrong with your printer and most likely someone will be able to give you an answer to solve your problems!

Welcome to the club!

Bowden SD3, Rumba, E3D hotend, Mk5 with RtRyder changes, Direct drive Y axis and bearings, GT2 pulleys and braided fishing line, Lawsy linear bearing conversion, M3 Z screw.

3 Reply by nobias

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

accusedmonk wrote:

Well, the reason I bought mine is for exactly this.  Something to learn, break, fix, modify, and grow with is what I wanted. 
...
Once you start working on it and solving problems you run into, it will be an itch you'll constantly scratch!  I've spent most of my time and money on upgrading and modifying my printer so far.  In my opinion it's the best route to go.  Buying a cheaper, less refined printer is like starting at level 1 in a game and working your way up to the end.  You get to learn the ins and outs, find your own paths, and build upon your knowledge from a good base.
...
Welcome to the club!

Thanks for the welcome, I'm hoping people like you can help now and in the future as I also become part of the community and help others. And your right - i already have the itch - this is not my first hobby project, and hopefully will become a tool for all my other hobbies. I had already bought, found or made parts to make my own 3D printer from scratch, using old printer, scanner & copier parts along with a purchased hot-end, electronics and extruder. but came to the same conclusion u stated above - where its good to start with a working basic model and 'improve' it.

Most of it will eventually be replaced or modified by what i already have, the ideas i want to try as well as what others have done. But before i start 'playing' with it, I have to get it in working condition. In this case - especially since I paid for the 'right out of the box' expectations -- (yes I understand that its not plug & Play and that it needs setup, tweaking and such - so no flames please ppl) -- but since it was working before it was sent I reasonably expect it to work when received as well).

I took pictures as soon as I had it out of the box and discovered hidden damage and can supply those as well as more details but that would properly be more appropriate in a different thread I would  think. if I'm mistaken and u really think they will help I'll post all that here. Just let me know.

All I originally hoped for in this thread is to find out from the community opinion - based on their experience - whether I should start fixing it myself or work with the manufacturer to get it back to its' promised condition.

4 Reply by Tin Falcon

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

All I originally hoped for in this thread is to find out from the community opinion - based on their experience - whether I should start fixing it myself or work with the manufacturer to get it back to its' promised condition.

Ultimately that is your call. certainly would not hurt to call or email tech support as a first step. They may or may not be able to sent a replacement since the SD3 is discontinued.
If you send it back for repair it may take a few weeks . Do you want to wait.
Or they may be able to send parts and talk you through the repair.
Bottom line if you call and get not satisfaction  you may have to fix it yourself. Dig into it with out calling and you will have to fix yourself.

I purchased My SD used and the out of box problems were minor and easy to fix so saw no need to contact SD.
Hope this helps you decide.
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

5 Reply by nobias

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

I had same ideas myself, right now its sitting on the table waiting for a reply from Solidoodle. I can fix these issue i think, but i spent money for a printer to be delivered in a certain advertized condition and for now (Since they also did not include the promised test filament or the filament i ordered to come with it) I can't use it even if i choose to do it myself, so until i get filament I'll wait and see how 'helpful' they intend to be.

thanks all for your help

6 Reply by n2ri (edited by n2ri 2014-12-11 15:56:41)

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

you just bought an SD3? from the sale a week or so ago? its been discontinued a while now it may have been for there printer factory rack as they replace them with newer models. that can be good or bad. some had experimental mods which never got sold to public due to cost etc. and many had realy cool features like full metal hotends glass beds etc. post some pics for members here to see. we may be able to tell if this is the case.

PS did it happen to have a sticker on front of frame with a character name from Star Trek wrote on it? all rack printers had 1

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

7 Reply by nobias (edited by nobias 2014-12-22 22:49:36)

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

n2ri wrote:

you just bought an SD3? from the sale a week or so ago? its been discontinued a while now it may have been for there printer factory rack as they replace them with newer models. that can be good or bad. some had experimental mods which never got sold to public due to cost etc. and many had realy cool features like full metal hotends glass beds etc. post some pics for members here to see. we may be able to tell if this is the case.

PS did it happen to have a sticker on front of frame with a character name from Star Trek wrote on it? all rack printers had 1

No i wished it had, Lol. It does come up in the Software as a Solidoodle Model 3-Elite. and the Print-head assembly has an all metal Extrusion mechanism (love it). No Plastic faceplate (which I am grateful for), and 2 cooling fans. only problem with cooling so far is I also will need to add a cooling fan on the X-Axis Stepper as well. Here is a picture of it (which apparently i forgot to rotate before uploading sorry).

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8 Reply by Nnnn (edited by Nnnn 2014-12-23 22:44:40)

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

I purchased my solidoodle 3 back in June. It has that newer metal extruder feeder. It also has that fan on the side of the stepper motor. Unfortunately that fan reduces the already falsely advertised print area.

Unsure of the requirement for that extra fan. Removing it will increase the print area a little but the bent sheet metal still takes up an extra 5mm.

I'm thinking of redesigning a full x carriage to allow better mounting of the stepper motor instead of the bent sheet metal.

Solidoodle 3 that came with new extruder setup with extra fan that hits left side of machine reducing print area even more than originally falsely advertised.

Crappy new driver board that has soldered on driver chips and atmega so if anything fries the whole thing gets trashed instead replacing $5 driver chips or $3 atmega.

9 Reply by wardjr

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

Might just as well go with Lawsy's linear bearing carriage.  Alternately you could go with the original SD3 carriage (if you can't find the file I can post it up) Both will work with Lawsy's MK5 which will replace all that metal and you'll gain some build area.

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10 Reply by nobias

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

wardjr wrote:

Might just as well go with Lawsy's linear bearing carriage.  Alternately you could go with the original SD3 carriage (if you can't find the file I can post it up) Both will work with Lawsy's MK5 which will replace all that metal and you'll gain some build area.

I would love to see those files, i have been doing a lot of web searching and can find very few models for the SD-3 printers. Especially I have been looking for models of the carriages on the y Axis and the one that the print head sits on.

I have a 3mm Hotend i'm thinking of adding as a second head, so would need to print new parts for that.
Also thinking of moving the motors off the printhead assembly all together and go bowden.
(See image above to see what mine looks like)

11 Reply by AZERATE

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Re: DOA - FIX DIY or ask Solidoodle?

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:104059 for the Lawsy designed carriages (highly recommended)
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:111213 for the MK5 extruder. This works with the stock hotend or the E3D v5
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:393928 for the extruder that would fit the E3D v6 (all credit to wardjr)

For Bowden:
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:154985 for the stock PEEK hotend or E3D v5
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:569033 for the E3D v6

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!