Just ordered my first ever 3D printer - Prusa Mini+  

RE: Just ordered my first ever 3D printer - Prusa Mini+

Five hints that I wished I knew when started out in 3D printing.

• Take time to practice getting the first layer calibration right. You need to know what a good first layer looks like and what to do if there are first layer problems.
• Don't touch the build plate, finger prints will make the print not stick to the build plate.
• Keep the build plate clean.   Use 91% isopropyl alcohol between prints.   Use Dawn dish soap and water if you get prints not sticking.
• You don't need a lot of tools.  Wait until you see what you need before buying them.
• Good prints take good quality filament.   Price isn't always a good indicator of quality.

RE: Just ordered my first ever 3D printer - Prusa Mini+

What k7zpj said! 

I would add: Don't get sucked into the "upgrade" mindset. Most of them don't really do much of anything. Wait until you actually run into a problem or have a specific need before you futz around with the hardware.

And another thing to add: If you have a problem with a new printer, don't come here for help. Get on the chat with Prusa Support first. Their 24x7 support is one reason you spent the big bucks on a Mini. If it's a hardware issue, it's important to log it right away to establish your warranty claim. Of course these forums are a great resource especially with hints on optimizing prints etc. But it's easier for Prusa Support to walk you through troubleshooting in real time rather than relying on asynchronous posts with only half the information available to those trying to help.

RE: Just ordered my first ever 3D printer - Prusa Mini+

Some suggestions:
- get some good support for the whole printer, for example a slab of concrete/stone say 50x50x2 cm to make it stable + some damping cloth to make it a bit silent (cloth between the flat surface and the slab, printer sits directly on the slab)
- buy glasses for eye protection - removing prints can cause little plastic bits to fly in all directions
- buy thin or reusable gloves + isopropyl + tissues - will help keeping print bed clean
- putty knife, tweezers etc
- get some packs of silica gel and humidity sensor to keep filament dry
- thin velcro straps - great for keeping cables together
- USB cable extender with 90 degree kink, because currently placed USB slot just makes pendrive easy to break 
- search for 'filament dry box' over the net - so there will be more things to get like PTFE tube + connectors, hermetic food boxes
- you may start to think about basic enclosure for the printer so that it does not get dusty and it is needed for printing with ABS
- if your electric supply is problematic then you may think about getting UPS

For things to print - don't go mental - the printer does not need anything extra to work, just try basic things to learn how to print:
- better first layer models that print longer than default prusa model, helps to
- lcd display back cover - or in the future overall LCD standalone or parts to move it to different place
- silica holder

Then print whatever you like 🙂
- 48deg heat bed cover (useful for enclosures)
- maybe camera holder if you want to have time lapse videos