1 (edited by OneMoreCast 2015-01-02 08:45:02)

Topic: Noob awaiting an SD4

Hey all, as stated total 3D printer noob/naive idiot to some extent. What do I need to know and or buy now to have as little downtime once printer arrives (12th or 13th according to guy from SD I spoke to) I hear the software is archaic and a PITA, PSU sucks and stock heatbed isnt so great, doesnt heat up all way in regards to its size, tape sucks etc...any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.


Mike

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

2

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Also electrican by trade and day job, so if stuff like that needs to be changed inside, lay it on me.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

3 (edited by redbarret 2015-01-02 08:44:02)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

OneMoreCast wrote:

PSU suck and stock heatbed isnt so great, doesnt hear all way, tape sucks etc...any help would be appreciated, thanks guys.

All true.

1) You'll need to replace the PSU with an Xbox or similar,  LED or PC PSU, 20A recommended I think.

2) Replace stock heatbed with a MK2 ($9 on eBay) or some 8x8'' silicone pad heatbed + SSD relay (if using the stock motherboard)
plus cork tile below it so the thermistor won't get squished between the heatbed and aluminum bed
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8441/sol … d4/page/2/

3) For adhesion, cut a 8x8'' glass and but it on top of the heatbed, use binder clips. use hairspray on the glass for the plastic to adhere to it. Reapply every few prints.
Other users have had luck with just kapton or ptfe tape on the glass, or glue sticks or ABS+acetone mix (slurry) instead of hairspray.

4) Also might have "backlash" problems. The video tutorial for it on the wiki is shit and doesn't tell half of the story.
Here you have few options to try : replace belts with fishing line, replace the bushings  on the  rod with ball bearings, replace the X carriage with custom (search "lawsy carriage" on Thingiverse) + replace stock Y rods because they suck for linear bearings, or convert to "direct drive" (search "Solidoodle direct drive" on thingiverse).
http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8199/odd … t-results/

Yeah, not even close to out of the box...

5) And make sure you learn Repetier Host and the slicing program Slic3r.
http://www.repetier.com/documentation/repetier-host/
http://manual.slic3r.org/

Solidoodle 4

4 (edited by OneMoreCast 2015-01-02 08:43:45)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Thanks mate...yeah I have read a ton and thats consensus its fsr from out of box. I did just order e3d v6, will be picking up MK2 now, and have about 7 xbox psu's from modding em. So all seems well. Appreciate the help...heres to some heartache and tinkering for hours.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

5

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Actually now that I think about it I'm not sure an Xbox PSU will be powerful enough for an upgraded Mk2 beatbed. Maybe someone else can help you with that.

Solidoodle 4

6

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

No worries, ill have printer before mk2 and glass...just ordered those. Ill look at specs on stock one and xbox and see. You other help was more than enough. Youre a gentlemen and a scholar

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

7 (edited by redbarret 2015-01-02 10:41:55)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Good luck man. Just a noob myself who has searched and asked all the questions already. No need for you to waste your time doing all that again.

I think we should really move all this Solidoodle 4 info to Soliwiki. Same things get asked all the time and the forum isn't the ideal place to keep all this info, with useful threads and posts getting buried and the search function not being ideal at finding the useful posts.

Solidoodle 4

8

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Search got me nowhere...wound up just browsing post by post for hours

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

9

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

redbarret wrote:

Good luck man. Just a noob myself who has searched and asked all the questions already. No need for you to waste your time doing all that again.

I think we should really move all this Solidoodle 4 info to Soliwiki. Same things get asked all the time and the forum isn't the ideal place to keep all this info, with useful threads and posts getting buried and the search function not being ideal at finding the useful posts.

It's actually pretty tough to make this kind of info easy to find, and comprehensive. If you made Solidoodle debugging into a comprehensive flow chart, or grid, it would be massive.

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

10

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

I know that results vary...

...but I've been running fine for a year on a stock SD4 power supply, printing directly on the original printbed (did recently replace the kapton tape), with just mods to add bearings for the Y-axis, and fans to the X-axis motor and nozzle.

My suggestion would be to get your SD4 calibrated and printing as well as you can, then decide from there what mods/upgrades you need.

I'd be glad to share any info on my SD4 setup and configuration.

11

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

knowack wrote:

I know that results vary...

...but I've been running fine for a year on a stock SD4 power supply, printing directly on the original printbed (did recently replace the kapton tape), with just mods to add bearings for the Y-axis, and fans to the X-axis motor and nozzle.

My suggestion would be to get your SD4 calibrated and printing as well as you can, then decide from there what mods/upgrades you need.

I'd be glad to share any info on my SD4 setup and configuration.

+1 you won't know what you've got until you've got it.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

12 (edited by redbarret 2015-01-02 17:01:43)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

solijohn wrote:

It's actually pretty tough to make this kind of info easy to find, and comprehensive.

The problem is not that all the info I listed is not easy to find and comprehensive. The problem is most of the info is not anywhere in the wiki. And it definitely won't be in the official wiki because people will see that they might need ton of mods to get the printer working properly and the Solidoodle 4's cost doesn't seem that important anymore when you add a power supply, heater, relay, bearings, rods, glass bed, etc, etc. No company is going to mention on their website that their product might not be anywhere perfect out of the box.

Problem is people like me and OneMoreCast have to join a forum and ask several questions and unless they are lucky wait for days, weeks or months to get a good idea on why their printer has so many issues and finally get it in usable condition.

Great community is great, but we don't have to make so many dublicate posts if we can have it somewhere and just link to it.

I'm not posting this for Solidoodle LLC expecting them to do anything about it, but for other members.

Solidoodle 4

13

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

The WIKI is open to everyone so feel free to contribute.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

14 (edited by redbarret 2015-01-02 17:46:00)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

I've been meaning to write some articles actually.
Claghorn also has some useful info on his site that maybe he'd want to move or link to the wiki.
Talking about Soliwiki, not wiki.solidoodle.com. I don't think this kind of information will be kept there, I wouldn't be surprised if it was removed and write access to the wiki closed. It's basically anti-marketing.

knowack wrote:

...but I've been running fine for a year on a stock SD4 power supply, printing directly on the original printbed (did recently replace the kapton tape), with just mods to add bearings for the Y-axis, and fans to the X-axis motor and nozzle.

I'd be glad to share any info on my SD4 setup and configuration.

Results will vary because your batch might just be using better quality parts or better calibrated (calibrated at all) in the factory.
I'd be glad if OneMoreCast's printer just works out of the box.

However, I've spoken with like 9 users here and over email and you're the first person to tell me your Solidoodle 4 printer works fine in stock condition.

When you say it runs fine, do you mean there's no adhesion issues near the edges of the bed (where there is no heater because it is smaller than the bed), and no backlash issues?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:532915

https://i.imgur.com/bCyhsVx.png
https://i.imgur.com/GfnUPRp.jpg

Solidoodle 4

15

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Well mike I am running MY sd 4 pretty much stock . Other than some adjustments a few screws and some glue to patch it up. And of course the easy peasy upgrade of the bed adding a piece of window glass.
The main Issue I have is the aforementioned backlash issue on the Y axis that cases flat spots and bumps on circles.
As far as software it is free to download the latest versions of Sli3er and RH.
and a plus 1 on reading up on slic3r and rh before you get the printer.
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

16

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Thanks guys, ive been toying with the software for weeks to try and knock down the time it would keep me from printing once its here. I ordered bed, glass already...I'll hold off on swapping them snd see out it goes stock. At least parts will be there if need be. Appreciate all the input.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

17

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

redbarret wrote:

However, I've spoken with like 9 users here and over email and you're the first person to tell me your Solidoodle 4 printer works fine in stock condition.

When you say it runs fine, do you mean there's no adhesion issues near the edges of the bed (where there is no heater because it is smaller than the bed), and no backlash issues?
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:532915

https://i.imgur.com/bCyhsVx.png
https://i.imgur.com/GfnUPRp.jpg

No adhesion issues near the edges...I've even printed an architectural model that filled the 8x8" bed.  I do occasionally use glue stick or blue tape for particularly difficult objects with small adhesion areas.

No backlash issues...not even a mod in that area.

I did take the time to do calibrations, etc. as suggested.  I also added two fans and three bearings to improve print accuracy.

I find that tweaking bed and extruder temperatures, extrusion rate, and Z-height, can really produce excellent results.

18 (edited by OneMoreCast 2015-01-03 06:01:06)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Knowack do you mind posting pics of added fans and bearings?! I did just order bearing set including ones gor mk5 and carriages and regular roller ones for extruder

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

19

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Heres what i am waiting on (besides SD4 itself) at least ill have stuff if need be. http://s11.postimg.org/hz0rprpkf/image.jpghttp://s13.postimg.org/mqpuiack3/image.jpg

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

20 (edited by redbarret 2015-01-04 20:52:14)

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Most MK2A/B heatbeds I've seen on ebay have the thermistor presoldered. Not a big deal.

Also if you'll ever damage your glass, you can just get one 3mm thick 20x20 cm or 8x8'' cut somewhere locally for few bucks.

I'd also get 3 686zz flanged bearings in case you'll have friction and will want to replace the 3 back bushings. http://www.soliforum.com/post/74861/#p74861

Print yourself Y axis modded brackets which use bearings too,
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:391490

And maybe use this if I'll need to upgrade to a carriage which uses linear bearings: http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8977/alt … ng-method/

And if you'll need to upgrade to the MK2B heatbed, you'll need an upgraded PSU and a SSR.
http://www.soliforum.com/post/75629/#p75629
http://www.soliforum.com/post/77347/#p77347
I've found both locally so I wouldn't worry about ordering it just in case to not have downtime when I'll need to.


knowack wrote:

No adhesion issues near the edges...I've even printed an architectural model that filled the 8x8" bed.  I do occasionally use glue stick or blue tape for particularly difficult objects with small adhesion areas.

PLA plastic doesn't have much warping issue like the officially supported ABS.

No backlash issues...not even a mod in that area.

You did just mention you added 3 bearings.

Can you please try printing this and showing your results? http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:532915
It can be hard to notice as the backlash reaches <0.2mm like for me.
Everyone who has told me they don't have backlash issues have noticed they actually do when looking at this print. me too.

I did take the time to do calibrations, etc. as suggested.  I also added two fans and three bearings to improve print accuracy.

I find that tweaking bed and extruder temperatures, extrusion rate, and Z-height, can really produce excellent results.

Been there, done that... http://www.soliforum.com/topic/8199/odd … t-results/

Except the fans. Any STLs for that?

Solidoodle 4

21

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Youve been a huge help red. Thanks I will pick those up. First things ill be printing after calibration are carriages mount for e3d, and pretty much and spare parts I can think of.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

22

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Let us know of your progress.

BTW, maybe give the stock hotend a try before upgrading to E3D. Unless you need to use non ABS/PLA filament with higher melting point, I don't think the stock hotend on SD4 is bad, unlike everything else tongue

Solidoodle 4

23

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Im running it stock until parts need to be changed, now I just have em if need be. Mainly grabbed e3d so I have choice if need be (like you said) to run orher filaments.

"All your base are belong to us." SD4 with a RUMBA, supernight PS, 40mm fan on X motor, lawsey carriages with new better tolerance rods, flanged rear bearings, new NEMA 17 with leadscrew on Z-Axis, and e3d v6 with MK5.


Ward and Jago are my heroes tongue

24

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Print the parts  you need for the upgrade, that way you will have them when your ready to change in case your hotend messes up on  you.

SD2 - Glass Bed, Fans on PCB and Y motor, Custom enclosure
Slicer - Simplify3D

25

Re: Noob awaiting an SD4

Hey all, as stated total 3D printer noob/naive idiot to some extent.

Mike sound like you did your homework and know there a possibility of needing upgrades. 
Like others have said you do not know how well it will work until you try it. Seems like guys are running anything from straight stock to 75 % new parts. 

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