- Joined
- Oct 29, 2012
- Messages
- 1,329
I started out 3d printing back in 2011/2012 timeframe with a printer kit that I bought from a kid on a college campus. It is what is now known as the Prusa i3, but I think the kid made it from open source stuff on the internet because it predates the i3. It's made from MDF, threaded rods, and poor quality 3D printed parts. It still works but it's falling apart, held together with tape and zip ties. It was a PITA to get it running, a huge learning curve, and back in those days the suggestions from the internet panel of experts was all over the map. I did get it printing but lost interest in it after a couple of months, and it sat for over a decade collecting dust. Earlier this year I had a need for it and it was giving me hell trying to run it so I just went out and bought a Ender 3 from Microcenter in Houston and had it printing in under an hour. Very different than my earlier experience. Simple, easy, idiot-proof.
Now I am outgrowing the Ender 3 and I want to either build a printer to my specific needs or buy one that has the training wheels removed, more suited to being modified to my needs. The control board on my old printer (reprap Printrboard) was a very "manual" thing; it had dozens of parameters that had to be configured and flashed to the board. The opposite of the "ready to run" Ender 3. But the Ender 3 controller I am now seeing as the opposite of what I want. If there is a way to modify this thing to have for example more Y-travel or a 4th axis, or better stepper drivers for faster speed, dual extruders, or whatever, I don't see how that can be done. I thought about building a new printer around my old control board since it offers all the flexibility I'm after, but I'm sure there are better options out now.
So I am looking at 3D printers and controllers and getting overwhelmed with all the information. Octopusses, Klippers, Ramps, etc. all with many new features I don't yet know enough to ask about. Several connect to Raspberry Pi and I don't yet know why. I am already doing my homework and will continue doing it, but I am hoping that someone who unlike me hasn't taken a 10+ year hiatus or who has just recently done this homework can make a recommendation.
Here is basically what I'm after:
Now I am outgrowing the Ender 3 and I want to either build a printer to my specific needs or buy one that has the training wheels removed, more suited to being modified to my needs. The control board on my old printer (reprap Printrboard) was a very "manual" thing; it had dozens of parameters that had to be configured and flashed to the board. The opposite of the "ready to run" Ender 3. But the Ender 3 controller I am now seeing as the opposite of what I want. If there is a way to modify this thing to have for example more Y-travel or a 4th axis, or better stepper drivers for faster speed, dual extruders, or whatever, I don't see how that can be done. I thought about building a new printer around my old control board since it offers all the flexibility I'm after, but I'm sure there are better options out now.
So I am looking at 3D printers and controllers and getting overwhelmed with all the information. Octopusses, Klippers, Ramps, etc. all with many new features I don't yet know enough to ask about. Several connect to Raspberry Pi and I don't yet know why. I am already doing my homework and will continue doing it, but I am hoping that someone who unlike me hasn't taken a 10+ year hiatus or who has just recently done this homework can make a recommendation.
Here is basically what I'm after:
- Build volume x/y larger than 12" x 12" (preferably > 16" x 16")
- Heated chamber
- Runs files from SD card or thumb drive, no USB tether to PC required
- High temperature extruder
- Prints FAST with excellent accuracy
- Stores position and can resume after power outage
- Ability to exceed 3 axes
- stationary build plate, moving extruder
- Build plate level mapping/compensation
- Rugged build, doesn't get knocked out of calibration when moved.
- Maybe rugged enough to replace the extruder with a dremel and do some engraving.