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MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?  

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Welchomatic
(@welchomatic)
Estimable Member
MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

I'm currently running a MK3S+ and a MK2.5S, and am pondering getting the MK3s+ -? MK4 upgrade, with the hopes that I can take the obsolete parts from the MK3S+ and put them in the MK2.5S.  The one feature I'm hoping for is the trinamic drivers to migrate over.  All the features of the MK3 will be a plus, but the silent prints will be the one my wife will like best.  I'm pretty sure I can get the rest of the system working, despite the MK2.5S having a threaded rod base instead of the extruded aluminum.  I may have to get a 24V Power Supply though.

What's the opinion of the masses here?  Should I continue to entertain this idea?

Posted : 03/04/2023 2:34 pm
Francky
(@francky)
Active Member
RE: MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

Bonjour, je prévois d’acheter le kit de mise à niveau MK4 pour mon MK3S; mais j’aimerais mettre à niveau mon MK2.5 S, j’ai beaucoup de pièces et je suis un bricoleur. Est-ce qu’un autre bricoleur l’a essayé?

Posted : 25/04/2023 8:38 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE:

I replaced the Mk2 rambo, 12 volt PSU and 12  volt Heater, heatbed and fans  with a new einsy, 24volt PSU, 24volt Mk52 heatbed, Mk3 Y axis 'Frog' and 5volt fans to make 'Frankenprusa'

Note Mk2 has 3 wire Pinda, Mk3 and Mk3S have 4 wire pinda, Mk3S+ has gone back to the 3 Wire set up, with Supapinda...
Also Mk3 has 4 wire filament  (Laser) sensor, Mk3S and Mk3S+ have three wire Infra red filament sensors. the Mk3S+ Filament sensor has a red PCB. you will need to select the correct firmware for your setup

the Z axis on the mk2 is a bit shorter than the Z axis on the mk3, so I printed different top and bottom brackets from thingiverse... 

they were originally designed to restore full Z height with a Volcano hot end.  

It was a long time ago, but this MIGHT be the files that i used    https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2989361

you may have to re adjust the Mk2 frame width to fit the Y axis Frog...    I didn't and my Y axis squeaks a little....    it prints fine, so I haven't messed with it. 

Also beware that the Y axis motor is on the opposite side of the Belt, on the Mk2 frame so the Y axis motion will be reversed. , If I remember correctly, I simply reversed the pins in the motor connector
regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 25/04/2023 8:57 am
Francky liked
Francky
(@francky)
Active Member
RE: MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

Merci Joann ! 

Posted : 25/04/2023 9:00 am
Welchomatic
(@welchomatic)
Estimable Member
Topic starter answered:
RE: MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

Hi Joan (and Francky)
I already knew I was going to replace the 12V power supply with a 24V supply ($106USD),  And buy a few other less expensive components.  I have that adapter for 3/4 lead PINDA as well as a handful of emergency backup PINDA/SuperPINDAs and an MK52 12V as well as a drawer full of Noctua and muffin fans.  My suspicion, after giving this a lot of thought, is to upgrade the MK2.5S to an MK4 instead of upgrading the MK3S+. And then take leftovers from that to upgrade the MK2.5S.
A recent development has made this an even more attractive idea:  A buddy cancelled his MK4 fully assembled in favor of a Bamboo printer, and when that shows up he's going to convert his MK3S+ to a Full Bear frame and give me his 'useless' MK3 parts.  So it seems to me the best option is to pull together whatever I need from his cast asides, whatever I need from my own MK2.5S, and the MK3s+ -> MK4 upgrade kit and convert THAT into the MK4, leaving the MK3S+/MMU2S alone.

You mention there's a bit of squeeking on your MK2 Frankenprinter.  I had that.  It turned out I was 4/10mm wider with my Y Axis than I should have been, and after about a year, I would score the Right hand (with two linear bearings) Steel Rod because of that mismatch.  I just got that corrected after... how many years has there been an MK2?  An error that only shows up every 10 months doesn't have a high priority to fix compared to pulling the scored rod out, replacing the bearings and "See you again in 10 months!"

Posted : 25/04/2023 5:19 pm
abluck
(@abluck)
Member
RE: MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

I ended up buying a beat up "for parts" Mk3s printer, stripped it to the frame and PSU, and I'm going to put all the hand me downs into it.  About $150 for the junk printer.  Frame is good, PSU, is good, Rods are good.  Buying some new bearings.

Posted : 15/01/2024 9:12 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
RE: MK4 -> MK3S+ -> MK2.5S hand me downs. Possible?

I was using my Mk2 MMU1 last weekend... 

still works... 🙂
I was running Both Mmu1 and MMU3 at the same time... 
Nine rolls of filament on the shelf above the printers. 🙂
I also had a modestly basic Mk3 running as well

My Zaribo, needs a belt re fixing, one of the Z lift belts came adrift. 🙁

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 15/01/2024 10:07 pm
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