Do I upgrade or move on?
Hi All.
I have a generic i3 clone, but I am after the famed Prusa reliability and print quality. A new machine (+ postage to Australia) seems out of reach.
I have a Prusa i3 MK2 in pieces. Restoring to MK2 seems about the same cost as using MK3 parts where possible.
The mainboard, extruder/hot-end, stepper motors, and power supply are missing. There is a 24V heater bed and Y carriage.
I want to run the original firmware, so an enisy-rambo mainboard my only option?
How important are the stepper motors? Should I get generic but similar spec motors, or is the firmware tweaked for Prusa branded steppers?
What about the power supply? Do I get a 24V Meanwell supply plus a power-panic switch or a genuine Prusa power supply?
Or should I get a modern 32 board mainboard and suitable compatible parts to make a clone Prusa i3 MK2.x?
Do I restore/upgrade, make a clone or move on?
RE: Do I upgrade or move on?
Just my 2 cents but I see no reason in theory why pretty much any 3d printer can't generate an equivalent quality to a Mk3. The net price of a Prusa (any) outside the EEC is just not realistic. I think people buy Prusa for excellent support and convenience (when flexible print surfaces and auto leveling where not common place).
If I were you I'd look at for a reasonably priced mechanically robust printer available locally and make whatever mods you feel are worthwhile.
RE:
edit timeout, replace first sentence of previous post
Just my 2 cents but I see no reason in theory why pretty much any mechanically robust 3d printer, suitably modified, can't generate an equivalent quality to a Mk3
RE:
Forgot to mention, the MK2.5 pieces came with a working Prusa Mendel (iteration 2). Nice piece of RepRap history.
Thanks for the practical advice.