Your opinions on the Prusa Mini  

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Difficult question, with no simple answer 😀. Personally got my Mini in July, had to adjust the hot end and replace the PTFE in August but not had any problems since (ignoring user error!). There are other users who have nothing but problems, and nobody seems to be able to work out what's different, but some combination of factors causes problems.

I would say that there are a lot of people building printer farms with Minis, so it can't be all bad.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Even the i3 MK3/s isn't without it's share of headaches.  While pretty close, there are things that you need to tweak as you go down the FDM printing road.  Once tuned in, it's fairly reliable, but ... getting there can require a learning curve.

That said, I am not sure there is any 3D printer that is effortless.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

There are problems with all FDM printers, even the expensive ones that have been reviewed on YouTube.

Comparing the Prusa printers up against my Chinese and self build ones - the Prusa printers win. Yes I have adjusted and made changes to the Prusa models, but nothing compared to what I had to make on the Chinese printers, just to make them work.

When buying a Prusa printer you also get hardware/software updates and a community around the printer.

I shifted from tinkering with 3D printers (because I had to) to actually beginning to print and design awesome models.

The mini has many of the features from its big brother MK3S, but at a much lower price point - if you are just starting a 3D hobby this will be a good choice.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

I have had nothing but problems with mine. Here are the pros and cons I have so far:

Pros:
1. When it works it provides great quality prints
2. The parts are quality
3. There is an active community to help you
4. Price is great for what you get

Cons:
1. MINDA or PINDA or whatever it is is defective or the software is
2. Have to change Z Offset for every print
3. Watchdog resets randomly in middle of print
4. Bed heating errors mid print
5. unable to get prints to stick to front of bed (not sure if its due to leveling or due to poor heating)
6. Nozzle would not heat past 170C after a failed print (not sure why but I have to adjust it constantly now) 
7. Installation was actually more difficult than on my Ender 3

Also, you will find a lot of people on here who have bought into the cult of personality. If you say you are having problems with your printer they will jump on you. There are some reasonable people willing to help, but then there are the sycophants. 

Here is the thing I am struggling with and maybe this will inform you. When reading blogs and forums you are told that Prusa makes the best printers there are. This idea builds in your mind that Prusa is the highest quality and the best money can buy (prosumer that is.) You covet after the perfect prints that you see others making. All of a sudden you hear that prusa made a cheaper alternative... It is the perception vs the reality. They build up in your mind that you will receive this amazing kit that will have zero problems and be perfect. That is not the case. This is a machine that is very flawed and needs work. Can it be great? Sure. Is this more like a prototype than a finished product? Yes. 

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

There are certainly some samples out there that people are having problems with. No 3d printer is problem free. In my case, my printer is stock, as delivered with no modifications. I have had to make adjustments, clean the nozzle and do some cold pulls once in a while. I use modified G code to improve the z axis calibration and park he head after printing where I want it for changing the filament. I dry all my filament. I have a website describing my experiences and tricks I use linked in my profile.

I have had my printer for about 7 months now. For the first 5 months or so, it pretty much ran 16 hours a day making PPE and other objects as needed.

So, there definitely is working for me.

Regards,

Mark

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Theres always room for improvement, but so far for my first printer, the mini has been working well and giving me good prints.

The vast majority of the issues I have run into were from me being an idiot with my first printer, e.g. not cleaning the bed, slicing it incorrectly, and more.

My only issue is with it has been the extruder, I wish it was dual drive.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

@sometimesforever

I can't comment on #7 on the Cons list but I have not run into any of the remaining 6 items since I got mine just over a month ago. Just like @joshmmill, the few issue I have is related to my changing settings to incorrect values through misunderstanding how the printer works. Once I go back to values that are more sensible, the printer works consistently and reliably. I have many 6+ hours prints now and I've grown my confidence in it to the point I only check up on it every couple of hours or so (vs every 30 min).

I only have used a couple of printers before (MakerBot Replicator and Raise3D Pro2) but I can say the MINI requires the least tinkering even compares to the Pro2.

@daniel-m64 keep in mind that, just like internet in general, you will read/hear about negative experience far more than positive experience.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

10 months and running fairly smooth.  It prints faster than my MK3S and is very reliable.  

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Another con I just found out. Apparently you can not print PETG Prusament on the smooth metal sheet. First print with PETG on it and it ruined it. 

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Posted by: @sometimesforever

Another con I just found out. Apparently you can not print PETG Prusament on the smooth metal sheet. First print with PETG on it and it ruined it. 

You most certainly can print PETG on the smooth PEI surface, but you do have to follow the instructions.

There is a warning on page 34 of the Mini users guide (under materials) and direction to use Windex on page 36 (under directions for the smooth sheet). Windex acts as a release agent for overly sticky filaments like PETG. A few wipes of your fingers can do the same.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

@bobstro

Great point.  A lot of folks swear they can print without Windex.  That is true until it over sticks and destroys your sheet.  

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Posted by: @sometimesforever

Another con I just found out. Apparently you can not print PETG Prusament on the smooth metal sheet. First print with PETG on it and it ruined it. 

Nor should you operate a printer without having read the instructions...

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Posted by: @charles-h13

@bobstro

Great point.  A lot of folks swear they can print without Windex.  That is true until it over sticks and destroys your sheet.  

Joel Telling learned that the hard way on his 30k printer :rofl:

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

@bobstro

agreed. With PETG, you can print on the smooth sheets. A lot of people use a separating agent such as glue or windex (so the bed is not 100% clean) and if you re-run the first layer calibration and use PETG settings, you would raise it slightly higher than you would for PLA so there is not as much squish on the first layer and it can come off the smooth sheet well enough with no issue.

Since a lot of people were printing out face shields at the start of the year I was asked to make a video with some pointers. I hope this better explains some things nad might be helpful to others.

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

@vintagepc

As did I on a lazy day!

RE: Your opinions on the Prusa Mini

Anyone interested in 3D printing should be prepared to invest some (or more) time in hardware and software (Slicer, CAD). The Mini works in its basic configuration and is constantly being developed. For the good support I am ready to pay the current purchase price.

A faultless printer has yet to be built.