Tips for pending owners
Hey everyone,
I am patiently (my GF would probably disagree) waiting to get the MK2 kit I ordered. Been lurking around the forum and reading issues some people have been having with their MK2s, and just wanted to see what tips you would recommend after using yours for a bit to a new owner. I plan on primarily printing PLA at first, but definitely interested in trying out other types of filaments as well.
Thanks in advance for any input.
Andy
Re: Tips for pending owners
#1 work on a surface where if you drop a screw you can find it.
#2 make sure that you have the frame firmly seated in the rods and they don't walk up when you tighten them down.
#3 If in doubt ask a questions.
#4 Identify all the polished rods before starting.
#5 Take your time and don't force anything.
Re: Tips for pending owners
When going through the assembly instructions, read a few steps ahead before you do a step, it'll save you some trouble. If any piece seems pretty close but not quite right, don't assume it's right, look for something that matches exactly, it might be buried in a box somewhere. Don't try to do it in a certain number of sittings, just take your time with it and make sure you do it right.
After assembling it, but before using it for the first time, check the attachment of the Y-axis assembly/print bed to the frame again. You really want to make sure it's attached correctly and seated all the way in the notches in the frame, or it'll screw up your calibration and make the nozzle slam into the print bed. If you have to go back and make any adjustments, check it again!
If it seems like it's having trouble extruding, don't keep printing, look into how to clean out the extruder first.
Re: Tips for pending owners
When going through the assembly instructions, read a few steps ahead before you do a step, it'll save you some trouble. If any piece seems pretty close but not quite right, don't assume it's right, look for something that matches exactly, it might be buried in a box somewhere. Don't try to do it in a certain number of sittings, just take your time with it and make sure you do it right.
After assembling it, but before using it for the first time, check the attachment of the Y-axis assembly/print bed to the frame again. You really want to make sure it's attached correctly and seated all the way in the notches in the frame, or it'll screw up your calibration and make the nozzle slam into the print bed. If you have to go back and make any adjustments, check it again!
If it seems like it's having trouble extruding, don't keep printing, look into how to clean out the extruder first.
David nailed it. I found there were occasions where reading ahead really helped. I would also add Peter's tip for belt tightening.
Micheal
Re: Tips for pending owners
One other thing I would add is a method I found for setting the Z-axis offset with the live Z adjustment. This was based on my previous 3D printer, a Da Vinci 1.0 from XYZ Printing. You couldn't rely on the built in bed leveling program and had to use the paper/feeler gauge method. It was also because running the calibration V2 gcode was driving me nuts.
For me it went like this. Start it calibration print., Move the Z-axis down, check the line. Move the Z-axis down, check the line. Move the Z-axis down, check the line. Calibration printing done. Dang it. Clean the bed and start the calibration print again. Move the Z-axis down, check the line. Move the Z-axis down, check the link. Move the Z-axis down, check the line. Calibration printing done. Dang it. Clean the bed and start the calibration print again. And so on. Maybe I wasn't moving down enough between checks. I was worried about damaging the bed.
Once you have the P.I.N.D.A. probe set by eyeballing it and the nozzle height pretty close to where it should be. Hopefully not denting or gouging your new print bed along the way. Start a print like the Prusa logo. Once the nozzle moves towards the center of the bed to begin printing, hit cancel button on the control panel. Pre-heat the printer to your configured print material but leave the bed and extruder in place.
Grab the included piece of calibration paper or a feeler gauge. Slide it under the nozzle and do the live adjustment on Z. slowly lower it until you feel just a bit of friction. Not too much, it shouldn't pinch. You're done.
Re: Tips for pending owners
1. Make sure that you use the correct windowcleaner for cleaning the bed. I've tried three different window cleaners bought here in sweden, but they all contain bad stuff, leaving a bad adhesion layer on the build plate. I'm using pure Alcohol now, works ALOT better, and then gluestick when needed.
2. Start to use and get skilled at more than one slicer software. It's not just enough with one, some models / situations are handled great by one slicer, while that slicer handles supports really bad. Another one can be awesome when it comes to supports, but can lack in other areas. No slicer is complete, and you'll need to know how to use more than one (having profiles for both etc).
Re: Tips for pending owners
1. Make sure that you use the correct windowcleaner for cleaning the bed. I've tried three different window cleaners bought here in sweden, but they all contain bad stuff, leaving a bad adhesion layer on the build plate. I'm using pure Alcohol now, works ALOT better, and then gluestick when needed.
Can you use acetone to clean the PEI sheets. I have plenty of it from cleaning kapton sheets on my current printer.
Re: Tips for pending owners
I'm finding 70% isopropyl alcohol, the same thing included in the kit, works very well. I'm not sure about acetone.
Re: Tips for pending owners
Acetone should be ok, I think it's mentioned in one of J.Prusa's youtube videos. It is used for cleaning remains of ABS juice from bed.
To be sure, just try few drops of acetone on one less-used corner of bed. 😉