How long do you think it will take to assemble?  

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

I'm also in the "assemble it myself" club. I like to know how it works. If it's built like my MK3S, I will rarely have to use that knowledge. I took a couple of slow days assembling my MK3S, and it paid off. I had one minor assembly error, and it prints like a dream. I get to print instead of 'upgrading'. A lot of folks will say that the MK3S is expensive, but the I calculated my Creality CR-10S 'upgrade' costs. That was a lot of extra cash in dribs and drabs, but not a lot to show for it. Compared to my MK3S, it was a joke. When I gave it to one of my sons, it still would not reliably change filament in the middle of a print. I only changed filament when I had to. I can now do that in less than a minute, with my eyes closed.

A couple of days to assemble is fine.  Any badges in the kit will be given to my nephew...

Cheerio,

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

My first printer i got used from a reviewer, so was in working condition.

My next printer was a semi-kit (qqs delta)

My mini i got as a kit as i wanted to understand how the printer works so i know how to service it correctly.

If i get another mini from prusa, it will be a 3-part one. A mk3s as kit (due to cost diff)

If i get a clone, they all come as diy kits.

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

I'm in the "assemble it myself" club.  Who else is with me? 

As long as it comes with the appropriate quantity of Haribo I'd always opt to self-assemble... 🙂

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

Took 2 nites, with coaching, leisurely, with several adult beverages, and worked first time. Well worth it!

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

I don't anticipate this being like the assembly of the MK3. I really expect that the $500 goes more toward the logistics of packing and shipping a machine of that size in a way that it won't get destroyed as it's dropped off the plane onto the tarmac. I'd be willing to bet it could be put together in an evening without interruptions.

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

A couple or three nights to finish it which included a couple of hiccups in a few areas.  The key is to read through the comments for each step as well as the actual instruction.

There were one or two steps for me that required a re-do or two.

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

That 500 bucks for assembly that’s a flat fee not dependent on the number of tool heads, correct? That is kind of interesting.

im going to say 10-15 hours.  That’s what $500 says to me.

RE: How long do you think it will take to assemble?

I hadn't considered the extra cost in securely packaging and shipping a fully assembled unit.  That's got to be $100 of the cost easy.

With it being brand new-new, with no community feedback built into the assembly instructions, I don't expect the instructions to be as flushed out as the MK3 for the first wave.

Do you think they'll fulfill orders in phases based on the kit specs?  Or just drop all configs at once?

RE:

I think they've said some of it will be assembled, so I'm guessing it's somewhere between an Mk3 and Prusa Mini in terms of what is needed. Since it's a lot bigger that also adds some complexity in just being able to move it around. 

Having built about several Core XY printers (Hypercube Evolutions, Vorons) here are some educated guesses on the build process. This is all completely speculation so take it with a huge grain of salt:

1. The back, top and bottoms will ideally be semi-assembled. My guess is you will need to connect them all together to build the cube. Based on the design of the Prusa XL, I am guessing you will assemble it starting with it on it's back, connecting the vertical extrusions, then connecting the top and bottom assemblies.  After that it will probably be installing the heated bed, and then the gantry/toolhead.

2. I'm guessing the rails will be pre-installed on the extrusion, and hopefully pre-oiled/lubed as well. 

3. After getting everything connected and the heated bed / toolhead installed, then it will likely be the wiring. I think the bulk of the work will be routing and connecting up the wiring. The belts are also a big wildcard- that could really add time if they need to be run manually vs. being installed. 

4. Last but not least, probably the baffles will be installed and any other finishing touches, and of course the self testing checks. 

My guess/hope is 6-8 hours or less first time, and maybe closer to 4 if you've built one before. 

Can't wait!! I am really looking forward to this one.