Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Hi everyone. So I've had my Mk2S since 2017 and it wasn't used much. I had about 80 hours of printing in 2017, after which I didn't have a place for it anymore (kids) until last week when I gave it some love and got it running again.
I understand it's an outdated printer but it works and I don't plan on replacing it yet, mostly cause I just use it for some of the designs I do or to print some things for the kids. Either way, it still serves the purpose.
That being said, I would like to know if there are any updates for it, that also make sense from the financial standpoint, in 2024? I presume all official updates have been cancelled by Prusa, so what about some aftermarket stuff?
I did spend a bunch on it the last week so I would prefer to start with the cheaper options cause I kinda wanna remain married. Thanks!
RE:
Must be nice to "open this old book again" and rediscover how it all works.
I have a MK2.5S since about a year. Bought as an "old but good working machine".
Also had the idea that much has been improved/upgraded over the years, what I should also implement in my printer.
- 12 monts later, I did not upgrade anything (yet), but:
+ By now, I know how the machine works; Cleaned it, Checked all nuts/screws, Measured tension on belt.
+repaired a broken part on the extruder, repaired the extruder itself, added squash balls as feet to the printer (making it more stable + silent).
+ printed some small parts to support the cables on the printer in a better way.
+ Know how to upgrade firmware and to "workaround" some issues what did not work "out of the box"
+ Know how different kinds of filament have to be treated. first layer problems, printing in two colors, "play" with the supports to get better prints.
+ Store the filament in plastic boxes with drying granules (silica) and feed the filament directly from there to the printer.
+ have heating in the enclosure (the enclosure was included in my buy)
+ Use Wifi controlled power sockets: One for the enclosure + heating and one for the printer, so I can start/prepare the machine (sitting in my chair in the living room).
+ installed Raspberry (with OctoPi) + two cameras. Octoprint to control the printer.
(Now I work like this:
- start up the machine + heating in time, so it will be ready standby when needed
- sitting in my living room, design/draw something in Freecad/Blender, (or just download something). when ready send it to Prusa Slicer
- Change it in PrusaSlicer (you can do a lot there: cutting, scaling, merge, add text)
- Slice it and send it by wifi to the raspberry with Octoprint, Send it to the printer.
(I added some special commands to the PrinterProfile in the Slicer, so the printer is nicely heated up).
- Print and watch on my screen how the print process is running.
- When ready get a message on my phone. Go up to my workshop on the attic.
- Get the object off, clean the plate, check the printer, so it is ready for next print.
As you can see, several stuff (around the printer) what helps a lot to make better prints.
+ Still thinking about:
- New all steel structure for the printer. (but not sure if this will add quality)
- Revo nozzle system (but I do not often change nozzles. Maybe to much money for the few times I do)
Maybe this gives some ideas on how to solve your quest, to not only look at the printer self, but look at the things around.
Have fun (and print nice and useful stuff for your wife), regards, Eef
We will do what we have always done. We will find hope in the impossible.
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Yeah, it's definitely nice to get back into it. I already have some things in the works, like building the lack enclosure, I got a filament dryer and already got more materials I never used before.
I got some PETG filament, so I was thinking about upgrading the bed, but I see the kit is not available anymore and that individual parts don't make sense financialy. I have no issues to resolve with PLA, I am doing some calibration along the way, but other than optimizing the settings, there's not much I have to do with the printer itself. New materials are probably gonna change that fact, but again, the discontinued support for the printer makes it hard to plan steps, especially since I've been out of the loop for multiple years. Just gonna have to take it slow I guess.
Here's the first print I did after bringing my prusa back to life. Pretty happy with how this 1st benchy came out.
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Looking at the picture you have a heated bed (what is in fact not needed for PETG).
Protect the bed (glue, hairspray, window cleaner, blue tape or whatever makes it stick less)
Set the Z-heigth, and go.
We will do what we have always done. We will find hope in the impossible.
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Yep, it's a heated bed, don't all Mk2S have it?
From what I was reading, window cleaner seems to be the best option for many, so I'll probably start with that. Thanks!
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Nice. Don't forget the Z-heigth adjusting (can be a bit difficult to get this just right).
We will do what we have always done. We will find hope in the impossible.
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
I found this very useful. Upgrade to 2.5s+. I’m partway through now https://help.prusa3d.com/article/upgrading-mk2-s-and-mk2-5-s-to-mk2-5s_200009
RE: Mk2S upgrades in 2024?
Have a look at https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-Prusa-i3-MK2%252FMK2S-to-MK2.5S-Upgrade-kit-.html
Maybe nice adventure to do. I also think they do not sell many of those (anymore), so maybe sellers are open to only sell what you need.
We will do what we have always done. We will find hope in the impossible.