Should I buy a used printer  

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Well, hard to give advice. If you have "two left hands"; no patience; no time to study, try and error. The best is to buy a new one with lots of support on it. (or even better let somebody-else do the printing for you. :-)) 
If you have left + right hand, some technical experiences, can read CAD-drawings; patience, and eager to learn. I would definitely buy the used one (probably the MK3, because it is more equal to the other models). As said on this forum:" Do not forget that in basic a 3D printer is nothing more then a "computer controlled glue gun". 
Search internet for a course, costing no more then $ 350 , where you would learn more. 
Even if you dump the printer after sometime. You will be able to decide yourself (and advice others) on your question. 

PS: I bought a MK2.5 about 3/4 year ago. In that time I: 
- changed the bearings on the Y-rods for drylin bearings
- placed the heatbed on springs so I can adjust it better. 
- repaired a broken extruder enclosureback. 
- dissambled the extruder 3-4 times to get it unclogged, change the TPFT tube,
- build a PTC-heater with 3 thermostats on it (to be sure, I don't burn the house down)
- bought a rapsberry and webcams, so I control the thing in the workshop while sitting on my sofa
Oh, yeah: I also printed a lot of tests, and more tests. And not so many, but some very kind and usefull (selfdesigned in CAD) objects. 

Please let us know, what your decision is. Have fun. 

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Thank you very much for your advice!

In fact, I used to build and design milling and EDM machines in my job. Now I'm in the software field. I would say I have some knowledge and interest 😉

The only thing I can't estimate as a father of 3 children is whether I will have enough time for my new hobby :/

But I love screwing, tinkering and learning new things.

What I am particularly interested in now is whether the MK3S is still "future-proof" or whether I would be buying a dead horse from a functional point of view? And is there anything special I should look out for in used machines?
Is there such a thing as stand damage? The printer has only been in operation for about 5 days since 2019.

It's a Mini+ with just over 25 days print time for 250€ and an MK3S with just under 5 days print time for 350€

I am always very suspicious of very lightly used kit - if that had been 250 and 500 days respectively then they would be a bargain and good for another 2000 days...

As it is - although many experienced users here would probably be able to troubleshoot whatever caused them to be discarded so soon you might not be; how mechanically adept are you?

Try to see them printing before buying.  Find out why they are for sale - I would generally advise the Mk3 as when in good order they are practically bomb proof workhorses.

Cheerio,

RE: Should I buy a used printer

For about two years I bought my MK3S+ used with a 1 1/2 year remaining warranty and only 54 hours of printing. It was well assembled and adjusted. I was able to see it print before I took it with me. I had minor problems (bearings rattling), which were solved easily by support. Since I had the original invoice and the serial number was correctly attached, there were no problems with the warranty.

I would do this again at any time, but stay local if possible and definitely not have the printer shipped.

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Thank you!
The printer is probably from 2019, so it's long out of warranty. Should I look at something else then? With more operating hours but younger?

Test print is of course planned. And the seller doesn't live far from me.

Don't dismiss it out of hand but do make sure you know why it is for sale and see that it is in full working order before committing.

Cheerio,

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Posted by: @ingersoller

Should I look at something else then? With more operating hours but younger? And the seller doesn't live far from me.

If this printer is from 2019 and was broke after 5 days. They would have returned it or have it repaired by warranty. 
So it probably was OK, never used, and the money (350) was no issue for the owner. 
Now it stands in the way (my guess) and needs to go to somebody who knows what to do with it. 
Could be you 🙂 .  In Netherlands we would say:" I cannot not look in your wallet", but if 350 less in there will not harm your daily life, I would take the risk. With your knowledge you can make anything out of it (so surely a good working printer). 

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Thank you all!

You have convinced me. I will have a look at the MK3S and hopefully take it with me.

I assume that the printer will be supported by Prusa for a few more years and will be supported by the software.
Another question: are the MMU really that bad? I could imagine that I would like to work with different materials or colors in the medium term.

RE: Should I buy a used printer

From My Experience, MMU1 (As I received it) Was awful...   I Got a faulty part...  (the part was replaced free after a while)

MMU2 was better, but the Laser Filament sensor  on the Mk3 was not good, so Prusa issued a free update to Mk3S & MMU2S
I didn't like the messing about with three buttons on the MMU Controller to try and resolve issues...

Mk3s With MMU2s was much better, but the new Mk3S Filament sensor tower was a bit finniky...   I Got mine working well
however it still relied on messing about with the three buttons on the MMU Controller. 
Some folk had power Issues, I Never had these...

Mk3S with MMU3 is MUCH Easier to get working, the revised filament sensor tower is much easier to adjust. there is NO NEED to mess with the three buttons, on the MMU controller, a new Power module has been introduced that bypasses the items which may have caused power issues in previous versions and the plastic parts of the MMU 3 have been revised to make setting up, easier. 

Mk3.9 and Mk4 with MMU3 benefit from all of the mmu3 advances and work very well
I Don't have a Mk3.5 myself   but as a moderator, I don't see lots of issues with that version either...

regards Joan

RE: Should I buy a used printer

I assume that the printer will be supported by Prusa for a few more years and will be supported by the software.

Only Prusa devs know - but the Mk2.5 (previous model) had a firmware update two months ago so the chances are good.

Cheerio,

RE: Should I buy a used printer

I have another offer nearby:

Prusa MK3S+ with 55 days operating time from 2022 for 335€

And (optional) Prusa MMU2 for 140€.
Does it make sense to buy the set at such an opportunity?

How do I recognize whether it is MMU Model 2 or 2S?

RE: Should I buy a used printer

the MMU2 used complex multi lever filament brakes to stop filament backfeeding to the filament spools when filaments are withdrawn from the extruder 

look at 9minutes 27seconds in the video above

MMU2S 
uses a filament buffer box. 

many people replaced the Prusa backfeed levers, or buffer boxes with rewind spool holders so there is no guarantee that you will see either the levers or the box... 

For instance, I do not use the buffer options provided by Prusa

regards Joan

RE: Should I buy a used printer

I would get the MK3S+   Make sure it is working.    I would learn to use the the MK3S+ 3-6 months before jumping into an MMU.    Do you have space for the buffer and 2-5 filament spools that support the MMU?   With 3 kids, is there a safe place to keep hands from being burned or can you enclose it?

I did the MMU2,  I rcomend MMU3.  I don't know UK prices.  If you buy MMU2 used and then buy an MMU3 upgrade kit,  will you still be ahead enough vs. buying the MMU3 new?   Make sure you get the original buffer and spool rollers that came with the MMU2.  Needed for the complete MMU3 upgrade.    I think the MMU3 updates for the buffer and spool roller are good to start with.   We tend to get a little mod crazy with our printers...   I have been through many of the filament handling mods and am now using the MMU3 buffer from Prusa with no mods. 

There are dry boxes and other mods that can go along with an MMU later.  I wouldn't worry about them until you get a good feel for using the MMU3 out of the box.    You may not need them. 

RE: Should I buy a used printer

Hello community.
Sorry for my late response. I've been very busy the last few days, both privately and professionally.

Yesterday was the day. I bought an MK3S+ together with MMU2 for 475€. The salesman really took his time and explained and demonstrated a lot of things to me. Also together with MMU2. In the end, the decision regarding MMU2 was irrational. I just wanted to have it like a little play child 🙂

I'm on vacation in the week after next and will integrate the printer properly in my workshop and start playing with it. I'm really looking forward to it!
Many thanks to everyone for the helpful tips and answers. You have really helped me a lot.

I also assume that this won't be my last post here in the forum 😉

RE: Should I buy a used printer

The mmu2 can be frustrating. We will help where we can .

Joan