Why Rumba on SD 4 and which stepper drivers?

Extra drivers and mosfets so it's ready for future upgrades. More reliable driver options, since they're replaceable. More flexibility in fan operation. More standard board config so to speak so easier on marlin mods front. Can also support more heated bed options due to separate supply rails.

As for overall why.. Main reason is the drivers or bed upgrades..  But by the same token.. Of coursa if none of this is relevant right now it's not a necessity - it's not going to improve your prints as much as give you better flexibility.

Lawsy carriages would be far and away the best mechanical upgrade you can make right away. that and new, more robust pulley blocks for the front Y belt pulleys (my stock ones cracked making for some interesting print issues).

I am still running the stock belts & pulleys and Z screw, no other real changes aside from a bed stabilizer in the front to keep shaking to a minimum and a fan on the X motor. I even still have the stock SD hot-end. My prints have improved dramatically with the Lawsy carriages - cleaner, more dimensionally accurate, and circles are actually circles now instead of circular shapes flattened on 2 sides.

Cutting print-head drag by installing the linear bearings in the Lawsy carriages will go a lot further towards better prints than changing to direct Y drive will, in my humble opinion. the bearings make getting proper even tension on the belts much easier, too.

Don't get me wrong - direct Y drive does seem to be a nice improvement, but, personally, I wouldn't be going there first. Just my 2 cents worth...

FYI, solidoodle is probably not the best choice for rods.  They use cheap ones that are of poor tolerance.  Mine did not last long before carriage binding started.  I would have recommended McMaster.com or folgertech.com if you are in the US.  I have ordered rods from both of these and can vouch for the quality.  Or Misumi if you want to pay a little more and get them cut to your length.  But lets hope you got a good set if they are already in hand.

Isn't shapeways all nylon stuff? If be worried there would be too much flex in those carriages (bearing in mind there is a surprising amount of force the moment you add leverage via rods...)

http://www.reprapdiscount.com/electroni … v8825.html
This is the one I got as the DRV8825's were more important than a controller to me.

Yep, that's my luck was going to order today

Thanks Adrian.

poked around in their forums a little, but havent found any postings about it.

Heard back from them.

Apparently there is an issue with the Bootloader they were using, and are looking to make some changes. No word on when they will return but I'll let you know once I get an update. They pulled them because they didn't want to upset any customers with any issues.

In other news, they aren't keen on doing any new designs because there is just no money in it anymore ..which is a bit sad to hear. Gotta make money to be able to run a business though, so I do understand.

Will update further when have more details. So they aren't discontinued yet, just not available while they fix some software issues.

Yay.

Bumping this because its been about a month and the RUMBA is still not listed.  I have to wonder if they have reconsidered fixing it.  Hopefully the RUMBA is not history.  I was really about to order another one for my new printer build but I am seriously considering going to a smoothie board now.  Adrian, have you heard anything else.