Prusa Mini Clone from China  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@marklgoldberg

Through eBay and AliExpress, I always get what I ordered.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Posted by: @charles-h13

@marklgoldberg

Through eBay and AliExpress, I always get what I ordered.  

I had good luck for years, but lately, lots of problems. I wasted way to much of my time with eBay customer service, finally getting my money back, but only after hours of my time. I've had similar bad luck with 3rd parties on Amazon, counterfeits and not what was ordered, return problems, requests for fake reviews in exchange for returns, etc. I have not had much experience with AliExpress. So, I've given up on those types of sources. I'm glad someone else has had a better experience.

Regards,

Mark

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Thank God I have had few bad experiences in this regard, as I usually buy direct from the manufacturer, no matter what the source. At Aliexpress I have had good experience with trianglelabs, for example with special nozzle diameters. I have also bought the power amplifiers of my milling machine (Leadshine) in China, but I have to say that the support is good and the power amplifiers have their price. A comparable product is not much cheaper to get in Europe. I use Amazon very rarely - too many questionable cheap offers, often no shipping to my home country possible or the product is not available.
Sometimes, I think, a little luck and a good nose is necessary.

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

I bought a second hand fystec mini yesterday and asked around. Seems like some parts are a bit weaker, like the hotend and the gear according to people I spoken to. But I plugged in and it runs just like my two original minis - works just perfect. But from what I can see the price will be pretty much the same as an original mini if i update the sheet and hotend - I also have to build it myself which is a bit complicated. I have ordered a new clone and will do it from scratch just to see if its worth it. I need capacity right now so I cannot wait 7-8 weeks.

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@mattias

Then I wish you good luck with the assembly and...

happy printing!

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@mattias

Good luck.  Please post photos.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

I am noticing the prices coming down.  The cheapest I see them on AliExpress is US $244.09 +$38 shipping(link). That is $282 vs $369.   I think I almost have the guys willing to save a little longer to buy the original Prusa mini to print their fuel grains with the money they have donated to the club.  I may even just chip in the $80 buck to avoid the headaches.  

Except of course no review articles.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@charles-h13

I had the luck to buy a used original mini from an unlucky previous owner. He didn't want or couldn't repair it (defective screw head on the heaterblock). I paid 190 Euro for it.
So if anyone is not happy with the (original) Mini, please contact me 👍 

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@karl-herbert

And if it is in the US, I will buy it.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

The team agreed, after a bunch of prodding to buy a Mini.  After they are completed with printing their fuel grains for a university hybrid project, I will either auction it off or we will sell it.  I offered the use on my Mini, but they wanted it on site.  I am their mentor and leader (both the club and the university).   

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@charles-h13

So why do you want to sell the Mini? It can be used for many other projects

What does a fuel grain look like? I have no idea how your engines should work.

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Posted by: @karl-herbert

What does a fuel grain look like? I have no idea how your engines should work.

I'm curious too.  Printing the fuel??????

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@jsw

There are three basic types of amateur rocket motors: Solid Black Powder (Estes), Solid Ammonium Perchlorate motors (think solid boosters on the space shuttle), and hybrid motors.  Hybrids have a solid plastic core and a gas oxidant (nitrous oxide).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid-propellant_rocket

This is a hybrid gain that was 3d printed.

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

What type(s) of filament do you use to print those hybrid fuel cores?

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@jsw

I have used ABS, but plant to try a few others.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Here is a review: 

700 grams of PETG $20 plus 282 = $300.  I explained to the team that it would take 4-6 hours to assemble and a day or so to print.  That time to me is worth $100 dollars to buy the Original from Prusa.  I really wish Prusa would sell a kit. 

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Does anyone not think it is worth having a warranty, printed parts, and hours of your time back to print to just pay more from Prusa?  I think my time is worth more than $100.  

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

Posted by: @charles-h13

Does anyone not think it is worth having a warranty, printed parts, and hours of your time back to print to just pay more from Prusa?  I think my time is worth more than $100.  

I'd gladly buy a prusa kit where I had to assemble everything if it saved a few bucks. I do enjoy the monotony of building things.

My main question with the clone is whether or not they fixed the Z offset issue, are they using a probe that is prone to temperature drifts and/or does their probe apply temperature offsets?

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

@drkmstr

That is a great question

RE: Prusa Mini Clone from China

I just received a message offering to send me a mini clone to review.  I suspect it is not legitimate, but we will see what comes of it.  It sounds too good to be true.  A mini clone for the cost fo shipping?