Awesome Printer
I got a Lulzbot Taz 5 a couple years ago and have really enjoyed learning about 3d printing. I was fortunate enough to also get a Lulzbot Mini, which also another great machine that has a been a joy to use. But I have just finished my i3 Mk2 and I am really blown away at how amazing it is. I didn't run into any real issues with the assembly process. For some reason the hardest part for me was getting the rambo case attached to the frame, luckily I had a socket mounted 2.5mm wrench, so it finally went in easy once I used that.
Once it was done I ran through the calibration steps and was printing the Prusa logo within minutes. With no further adjustments, it printed perfectly right out of the box. The Lulzbot printers are nice machines, but it took me awhile to get each of them dialed in to give great prints. This thing was off and running right out of the gate, even after an old guy like me put it together.
This machine is also really quiet, which surprises me after a lot of comments I have read about it being loud. I am going to stick with the stock setup for now, I can't think of anything I would want to change currently.
The treefrog is most of the way done printing and it looks perfect so far. I am lining a up quite a list of things to print.
Thanks to everyone here that has given me so much information in these forums.
Re: Awesome Printer
Yeah, I agree. It is awesome! Before getting the Prusa, I had no experience with 3D printing. After I get mine built (with a few minor hiccups) it was burning and turning perfect prints from the get go. I have only had to play with the settings for different filament materials. Still figuring out what is the perfect z-height adjustment.
Now looking back at reading all the grief people have with there 3D prints and printers, I came to the conclusion that a lot of the grief came from early printer models or printers that were homebuilt. Most newer printers seem to give less grief.
We have a Ultimaker 3+ at work and its print quality is almost the same, maybe a little less as good as the Prusa. But man the Ultimaker wastes alot of time preparing for a print. It goes through a lot of wasted steps all of which could be streamlined. Its hard to explain but If you see one in action you will understand. The other disappointment is we use disolvable PVA for supports and the second nozzle drools the PVA into the print and kinda ends up ruining the print quality. For over $4k, the Ultimaker 3+ is kind off a rip off. We have compared identical prints off my Prusa and the Ultimaker and hands down we concluded the Prusa produced slightly better prints. Plus we can buy 5 Prusa'so for the cost of one Ultimaker.