What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?  

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

In fact, the list is quite good. For beginning you will get spool of PLA with the kit. Start with it, calibrate, try couple of prints.

PETG for spare parts, I think black should be enough. Orange parts are rarely being changed or damaged. If you have some friend to print you new parts, fine. I think you can live with the ones coming with kit and print the new onse as a spares later yourself. I am running the R4 parts for more then year, no problem with (ok, the extruder cover is a bit melted in one place).

Depends a lot on what you are about to print. You mentioned mostly ABS. I print ABS very rerely. It has too much negatives for me and there is always some other alternative. Mostly I am fine with PETG for more durable parts (also with carbon fibers), PLA for the things to be nice 🙂 Therefor melting of printer parts is not much visible. Printing ABS could be a bit different. Prusa now comes with ASA, maybe it would be a better choice for you.

Enclosure, yes, for ABS. Otherwise for the beginning waste of time and money. I did it, it is nice, I made a lot of mods in the electronics of the box but mostly I print with open doors. At least it saves the printer from dust 😉

IPA is a must, try to buy 99% or as much as possible. Not everywhere this is available. I could buy in my country a liter of 99% for 4$.

Buying a printer, you can choose what type of steel sheet you want, smooth PEI or poweder-coated. I recommend  both. Poweder-coated is great, but sometimes man needs a smooth bottom of the print.

Start with SD card, but then I would recommend using Octoprint on Raspberry PI. I do not have the small one integrated with the board, I have the normal one placed externaly. No issues with it.

Milos

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

Posted by: matthewmeek

[...] What would experienced users suggest I obtain/do first, to avoid later hassle getting things I've not considered, or fixing things that can be prevented from breaking if tackled early?

I've put together a list here that includes a recommended "nozzle clog first aid kit" for the inevitable plug. Note that acetone is only recommended for the smooth PEI surface, and even then infrequently. The powder-coated sheet should not need anything more than 91%+ isopropyl alcohol (at least in theory) though I've had to do more to get mine working semi-reliably with PLA.

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

Dawn dish detergent for cleaning the bed. Rolls of unscented/non-moisturized paper towels for cleaning the sheets.

Alcohol at 91% or higher concentration; some rubber gloves to keep oils on you fingers when you use the alcohol.  If you plan for cleaning with alcohol, buy it in gallons.

I probably won't buy the e3D-V6 Pro Sock again, it deteriorates too fast when printing infill that curls. Instead buy the non-Pro version that doesn't cover the nozzle down to the tip - so curl snags don't destroy it. Your experience may vary.

A tube of #2 white Lithium Grease or Superlube to pack the linear bearings before installation. 

ABS stinks ... and produces noxious and toxic fumes. Any enclosure must be negative pressure and vented out side.  Recirculating VOC removing air filters are too expensive for home use.  Though many have made homemade types using face mask VOC filters, they have a very short lifespan and will be expensive to operate since each print will need a replacement cartridge if you follow the filter mfg instructions. If you vent outdoors, keep the flow volume low - you only need a couple CFM to adequately vent the fumes from a LACK - low exhaust volume also save heating and cooling costs and makes maintaining enclosure temperature a lot easier.

Windex for prepping the bed for PETG. It is a good release agent that helps keep the PETG from welding to the PEI.

Think about something to cool the extruder motor when printing inside an enclosure. Many reports of the higher temps causing filament handling issues, especially with lower temp materials.  Passive heat sinks work, and there are nice looking fan and shroud designs.

I good small metric tool set. 

And if you plan on printing a lot, order an extra set of bearings, especially if you don't pack them with grease before install.

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

Get yourself nickel plated copper nozzles if printing PETG, but current best nozzle is reputedly Tungsten Carbide, not to be mixed up with Tungsten alloy, but still quite rare.

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

if you haven't ordered yet, getting the printer with the textured build plate and ordering the smooth stickered build plate as an extra saves you about £10.pp or similar money units where ever you live

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

Two hot end cleaning items:

Automotive inspection mirror with a light. Beats trying to get your head under the extruder to see the nozzle.

Stiff brass brush. A good one stays clean and works wonders at removing heated filament. A bad one sticks to filament and becomes a sticky mess.

RE: What should I get to prepare for owning my first 3D printer?

If you find the enclosure noisy, consider mounting the printer on a paver.