SO sad.
So I purchased a Prusa i3 MK3, 2.5 years ago.
I finally tonight have opened the box (its a kit) and am about to try and put it together.
I feel sad how much has probably advanced in design since I bought it, that I am missing out on...
Keeping my fingers crossed that I am actually able to build it 🙂
RE: SO sad.
The MK3 is still a very good printer.
Take your time, read the manual first carefully before each step, use the online manual, as its more up to date and read the comments as well.
If it goes wrong, or not sure come back and ask, you will be fine. The manuals are very, very good.
Tank you very much!
RE: SO sad.
Once you get it built and learn to use the printer, you can decide if the upgrades to the MK3 interest you. For $50 USD, you can upgrade to the newest features and be up-to-date with the current shipping model.
RE: SO sad.
Well it took most of the weekend, but I got the MK3 built.
Had a devil of a time getting the First Layer Calibration done, but I think I finally got it done and was able to print 3 of the sample prints that came with the SD card.
Although I still have some tinkering to do as it was a bit of hit and miss on the prints. Seems like they either failed immediately (did not stick to bed) but then i tried again immediately and if the first layer stuck then the rest of the print was successful.
Cudos to the Prusa team as the kit, even though was a lot of steps, was very well organized and fairly easy to follow the instructions.
RE: SO sad.
Welcome to the club!
That first layer calibration is the probably the most important thing to get right. It is the foundation that everything else builds on.
If you are continually having issues with the first layer sticking, that's usually because the Z-axis is still too high, or a dirty print bed. Lots of forum posts on both of those topics. Also well covered in the Prusa documentation.
RE: SO sad.
@egar
If you don’t get a first layer, the print rare improves from there.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: SO sad.
Very true Chuck.
Its not as easy as I thought, I see what you mean about the learning curve on the Prusa vs Ender, first layer took me well over a day to get right.
There is always a fear of going too low and damaging the bed, however, the way I found easiest is to keep dropping it a bit at a time until you are unable to pull the lines of filament apart, once it is a complete solid sheet, you are almost on the money, after that it is fine tuning.
I knew what it should look like, but its another story replicating it.
Tank you very much!