3d printer question

I am looking at buying a 3d printer and although i like getting quality, my budget will not accommodate.
I have read many posts on here about what to do as a noob, but as these things are improving all the time as technology improves, I am left with a few questions.
1. How important is bed levelling, ie after you do it once, do you have to keep doing it. Reason, i have seen a couple of printers,
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Updated-Big-size-220-220-240mm-High-Quality-Precision-Reprap-Prusa-i3-DIY-3d-Printer-kit/32604869871.html?spm=2114.13010308.0.49.FIAEJg
The newer one does not have auto levelling, but the older one does.
2. what is the most common file type used for these?


I don't mind that it is a self build and I understand that a box for it is advantageous and I can build that.
Any advise would be appreciated.

Bed leveling is very important, it needs to be done before each print to get anywhere near decent prints.
I built a variant of the I3 and the first mod I did was auto bed leveling.
Repraps print gcode files but how you get there is entirely up to what software you use for modelling and slicing.
I use openScad and FreeCad for modelling and Repetier-Host (cura) for slicing

Bed levelling is critical to the outcome of your prints, too high and it may not stick to the surface and then create a plastic mess, too low and it may be very difficult to remove from the print bed to the point that you can cause damage with the forces needed to remove it.

I don't re-level mine until I start to see an issue and may get more than 10 to 15 prints before needing to level again.
Re-levelling is a straight forward process with the Dreamer

I find a heated bed is important if you plan to do ABS as without a heated bed I have had issues with adhesion to the bed

Talk about procrastinate! I was just looking through 3d printing posts to learn as much as I could, because I have just ordered a 3d printer.
It was 12 months ago that I asked this question.
In that time I have looked at many and varied printers and watched videos on you tube and finally made a decision.
I ordered an anet a6 from gearbest. It should be here in the next week or so.
I will lmao if it arrives on the 21st

How about an update plz . How long did the delievery take from gearbest ? How was the build proses? And are you happy with it? Have you done any modifications? I'm looking at ordering an anet A8 next week (fingers crossed)

bbayjohn said:

How about an update plz . How long did the delievery take from gearbest ? How was the build proses? And are you happy with it? Have you done any modifications? I'm looking at ordering an anet A8 next week (fingers crossed)

Click to expand...

Not entirely sure on delivery time, I think it took a couple weeks. But I then waited another couple because when I did get it, the box had been damaged and the main frame was broken. After another week I decided to glue the frame together as I couldn't wait anymore. They sent me a new frame, 4 weeks later, and it too was broken, so eventually after much negotiating, I got a $50 rebate.
The printer itself (A6) was pretty easy to put together, and then when I printed the first print, a cube, it worked OK. I tried a few more prints and discovered some warping after a while, then I got some new filament and that fixed most problems, so lesson here is... The supplied filament is crap! (I have gone back and tried the supplied filament several times and it always causes problems)
The only mods, if you can call them that, are a filament guide that I printed, and a filament roll holder, that I also printed. They are both fairly important in keeping it running smooth. Apart from that, it all works pretty good.
I need to measure the height of the z axis motors each time as one motor seems to "release" when power is off and it ends up a lit out of level, and also levelling the bed is very strange in that sometimes it will be way out of wack and others it is perfect, but I am sure that is something I will work out. But aside from that, I have printed some amazing things that I didn't think possible, so overall, I am very happy!

OK Lets answer a few questions in 1 post

Gearbest Delivery: I have ordered a few things from them, and it varies, but I would say <2 weeks for normal delivery would be "normal", and 1 week for expedited delivery. Add a few days if you dont live in or near major capitals or metro delivery areas

A8 Mods- Stiffening of a number of items are needed. This thing is plastic, laser cut, so it is about as stiff as an 80 year old... I printed a number of braces as I went and think I put pics on my post. If you really needed, I could probably be persuaded to print them for you - it's about 2 days printing and 2/3 of a roll of filament (PLA)

Leveling - it is important, but I would hate to think when I last leveled my dreamer or Wombot, buy it's likely to be >6 months or more. The A8 on the other hand will be fine for a week or so, but then I'll need to re-level it. I can talk you through getting it close, then "tweaking it" via phone, or do a video. The Wombot's auto leveling probe, and the Dreamers ability not to move much, helps tremendously, but I have also replaced most nuts on all my printers with Nyloc ones so they dont come undone with vibration.

3D Printers do need work. Think of them as a 15 year old car that has 100,000km on it. It works, and gets from A to B, but you will have to tinker and get your hands dirty to keep it running. Stuff breaks, gets clogged, and simply plays up all the time. Most of the time it's a 5 minute fix, but it's new and you need help - ask one of us who has been there and done that... My printers are shown below, and they have broken, been patched, been repaired and been reliable pretty much for over 2 years.

I see that wine is an essential element in the 3D printing process!

I don't mind tinkering with the printer as I seem to have lots of time. What I don't have is lots of cash. So my thoughts would be to build it right the first time. Like building it with nylock nuts etc. You mentioned earlier that you needed a second mossif, that you bought the second one cheaper .Do I need to buy two?

You only need one mosfet for the heat bed, but personally I bought 2 so I had one for the hotend as well. The way I see it is at $12 they're cheap insurance against burning out the printer controller.

I'd suggest getting an auto bed leveling probe for the A8. I think it was only around $20 when I ordered mine and is one of the best upgrades I've done. I kicked myself for not getting one straight away as I went from having to adjust the bed after every second print to checking the calibration settings every 200-300 hrs of printing. If you do go down the auto leveling route you may need to reflash your printers firmware to Skynet as the stock Anet firmware couldn't handle auto leveling properly.

after seeing this post
https://auschristmaslighting.com/th...n-animatronics-and-3d-printing-of-robot.4313/
I'm tempted to buy a 3d printer , 12x12x12 is only 12cm's square?
but I'd be looking for 1 that I don't have to work on all the time any recommendations ?

Hi The supervisor has approved the purchase of a 3D printer and I was thinking of the CR-10 S. Does anyone have thoughts on this?

^ I have heard good things about that machine... tempted to get one of those as my next machine.

@lithgowlights the lack tables on your A8... how have you arranged them? I have three, but unsure how to get it right.

Also what upgrades do you suggest? cheers

here is how i did mine ready for a A8

all parts 3d printed. 3 lack tables one on the bottom then 2 leg to leg so plenty of room inside