1 Topic by Randavian

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Topic: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Hey all.  I'm with a day or two of placing an order for either a v2 or v3 model.  Originally I wanted to go with the SD3, I mean who wouldn't want a bigger build volume, right?

However, due to some circumstances, it may be prudent to go with the SD2 model and save the extra cash to spend on other things I may need that would be useful (calipers, filament, etc).

I just have a question before I make my decision:

Other than the build volume, what improvements does the SD3 have over the current SD2 version?

Thanks

2 Reply by solijohn

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

None. The s3 is simply bigger.

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3 Reply by Randavian

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Thats what I was thinking, but wanted to make sure.  Thanks.

4 Reply by lotw_1

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Randavian wrote:

Thats what I was thinking, but wanted to make sure.  Thanks.

Just make sure none of your plans you have for the printer need that bigger size.  I have a couple ideas that require a little more then the SD3 can do, but might be able to do diagonally, sice not too wide.

5 Reply by iowajames

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Keep in mind, if you buy the SD2 with all the options (heated aluminum bed & clean case) then you only save $100 over the SD3 which comes with those options by default. Is $100 worth the buyer's remorse later? If you can afford it and want a heated bed (recommended) & a shell (not really necessary, but nice).

Just my 2cp.

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6 Reply by ronsii

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

The SD3 comes with a case???

7 Reply by lotw_1

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

ronsii wrote:

The SD3 comes with a case???

SD3 doesn't come with a case and their isn't one available, but you can make nice ones like others have with a simple trip to a hardware or Walmart, target, Kmart, sears, etc.

8 Reply by danny

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

>>>SD3 doesn't come with a case and their isn't one available, but you can make one...

use the card from the box that the printer is delivered in, and some parcel tape! then you'll have an insulated case smile

9 Reply by ronsii

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

lotw_1 wrote:
ronsii wrote:

The SD3 comes with a case???

SD3 doesn't come with a case and their isn't one available, but you can make nice ones like others have with a simple trip to a hardware or Walmart, target, Kmart, sears, etc.

Yeah, That's what I thought but whe I saw Iowajames posted it came with a case I figured maybe something changed... smile I haven't found a need for a case myself but who knows... might put it on the list of things to experiment with.

10 Reply by Randavian (edited by Randavian 2013-03-08 07:15:53)

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the SD3 today.  Had a hard time justifying, to myself, spending the extra money for the bigger build space.  Actually, I never did justify it.  I have a decent list of the things I want to print, and while a few of them push the boundries of the SD2 only a couple required more room.  Even so, they were items that could have been cut into pieces without any concern.  I figured something would likely come up where the extra volume would be neccessary if I didn't purchace the SD3.  So I did.

Being married with 4 children, and the only one working, makes me frugal.

I hope I get as much enjoyment and use out of this as I anticipate.  There are so many things that I have designed and wanted to create, over the years, but had no means of doing so.

One quick question.  For those of you with a SD3 who are using a glass bed, what dimensions are you using?  Is it truely 8 x 8 or another size, and what thickness works best?

11 Reply by charles.elliott

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Randavian wrote:

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the SD3 today.  Had a hard time justifying, to myself, spending the extra money for the bigger build space.  Actually, I never did justify it.  I have a decent list of the things I want to print, and while a few of them push the boundries of the SD2 only a couple required more room.  Even so, they were items that could have been cut into pieces without any concern.  I figured something would likely come up where the extra volume would be neccessary if I didn't purchace the SD3.  So I did.

Being married with 4 children, and the only one working, makes me frugal.

I hope I get as much enjoyment and use out of this as I anticipate.  There are so many things that I have designed and wanted to create, over the years, but had no means of doing so.

One quick question.  For those of you with a SD3 who are using a glass bed, what dimensions are you using?  Is it truely 8 x 8 or another size, and what thickness works best?

I am using a true 8" x 8" piece of glass which is 5/64" thick. I was hoping for thicker but the hardware store I went to only had that thickness. It ended up working out better than a thicker because it doesn't warp and it is JUST thin enough that I didn't need to get a longer z screw. Because of its size I have to clamp it down at the two front corners which makes printing piece that is truely 8" x 8" impossible, and reduces the possible size down to about 7.5" x 8".

12 Reply by Skyblue

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Randavian wrote:

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the SD3 today.  Had a hard time justifying, to myself, spending the extra money for the bigger build space.  Actually, I never did justify it.  I have a decent list of the things I want to print, and while a few of them push the boundries of the SD2 only a couple required more room.  Even so, they were items that could have been cut into pieces without any concern.  I figured something would likely come up where the extra volume would be neccessary if I didn't purchace the SD3.  So I did.

Being married with 4 children, and the only one working, makes me frugal.

I hope I get as much enjoyment and use out of this as I anticipate.  There are so many things that I have designed and wanted to create, over the years, but had no means of doing so.

One quick question.  For those of you with a SD3 who are using a glass bed, what dimensions are you using?  Is it truely 8 x 8 or another size, and what thickness works best?


I found 6" and 8" mirrors at Walmart in the picture frame department.  Mirrors are beveled and 1/8" thick.  Perfect fit for SD2 (6"), or SD3 (8").  Under $4.00 each for 8".   Print with Kapton tape or use hairspray or ABS glue, your preferece.  (note, you must print the Z-axes replacement part to accomodate.  Have fun with your new printer!

13 Reply by Randavian

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

I found 6" and 8" mirrors at Walmart in the picture frame department.  Mirrors are beveled and 1/8" thick.  Perfect fit for SD2 (6"), or SD3 (8").  Under $4.00 each for 8".   Print with Kapton tape or use hairspray or ABS glue, your preferece.  (note, you must print the Z-axes replacement part to accomodate.  Have fun with your new printer!


Is the Z axis replacement part on Thingiverse? 

Thanks for the info guys.

14 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Randavian wrote:

I found 6" and 8" mirrors at Walmart in the picture frame department.  Mirrors are beveled and 1/8" thick.  Perfect fit for SD2 (6"), or SD3 (8").  Under $4.00 each for 8".   Print with Kapton tape or use hairspray or ABS glue, your preferece.  (note, you must print the Z-axes replacement part to accomodate.  Have fun with your new printer!


Is the Z axis replacement part on Thingiverse? 

Thanks for the info guys.

Tip: you can just flip the screw over, and added benefit it's easier to get to with the hex screwdriver for adjustment

15 Reply by solijohn

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Skyblue wrote:
Randavian wrote:

Well, I bit the bullet and ordered the SD3 today.  Had a hard time justifying, to myself, spending the extra money for the bigger build space.  Actually, I never did justify it.  I have a decent list of the things I want to print, and while a few of them push the boundries of the SD2 only a couple required more room.  Even so, they were items that could have been cut into pieces without any concern.  I figured something would likely come up where the extra volume would be neccessary if I didn't purchace the SD3.  So I did.

Being married with 4 children, and the only one working, makes me frugal.

I hope I get as much enjoyment and use out of this as I anticipate.  There are so many things that I have designed and wanted to create, over the years, but had no means of doing so.

One quick question.  For those of you with a SD3 who are using a glass bed, what dimensions are you using?  Is it truely 8 x 8 or another size, and what thickness works best?


I found 6" and 8" mirrors at Walmart in the picture frame department.  Mirrors are beveled and 1/8" thick.  Perfect fit for SD2 (6"), or SD3 (8").  Under $4.00 each for 8".   Print with Kapton tape or use hairspray or ABS glue, your preferece.  (note, you must print the Z-axes replacement part to accomodate.  Have fun with your new printer!

Which part are you guys referring to?

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

16 Reply by jefferysanders

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

Lowered z-endstop would be my guess.

17 Reply by solijohn

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

jefferysanders wrote:

Lowered z-endstop would be my guess.

You mean the z-tab?

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18 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:40701

19 Reply by Manx

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Re: SD2 or SD3... The Choices we have to make.

thanks guys thats just what i need