How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Hi all, newbie here. Looking to buy my first 3D printer to print prototypes of an electronic product we're prototyping. Through some friends, I've already had several successful prints on a 3S. I was not involved in that process at all and will have to learn how to print out our existing or new STL files. That's ok by me.
But as I shop for a used 3S+ here in Toronto Canada, where there are a lot on the market, prices vary a good bit and I'm looking for the best balance between used and "too used" even at a good price.
I've seen printers with as few as 20 hours on them, some with 119 DAYS on them and some that the seller claims have high hours that aren't accurate because the tracking of hours on the Prusas "can be wildly inaccurate". Some appear to be from firms that have been using them on production lines, as opposed to individuals selling units with hobbyist use, which worries me as well, but maybe it shouldn't?
I fully appreciate that a well maintained mechanical device with modest or even high usage can be better than an abused, low-usage unit, but I have no sense what's "alot" in this context.
Thanks in advance for any tips here...
RK
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
I've had mine since 2019 and currently have 53 days, 14 hours, and 27 minutes on it. I see no reason for this machine not to be able to run for that amount and then some. I would expect to need to do maintenance and the occasional replacement part/upgrade. Like any other equipment, it will last as long as you treat it well.
I probably wouldn't be willing to pay much for one with 119 days unless they can show they performed regular maintenance. But for the right price, it would be easy to upgrade to a MK3.9 at quite the discount.
Aaron
Those are all suspiciously lightly used machines.
The proper state of a 3D printer is - printing. My Mk3 passed 365 logged days a couple of years ago, I drank it's health from a shot glass printed for the purpose.
As a beginner you should be cautious around printers with very low logged hours, typical use should be around 100 days a year, less and the owner has probably hit problems - though if you are confident in your troubleshooting this might be a bargain. Avoid any modified printer. Properly maintained stock Prusa Mk3's are extremely reliable but there exists a class of user who, instead of looking after their machine, runs it badly and because *it can't possibly be their fault* that it has issues, instead of maintaining it, modifies it.
Cheerio,
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Or someone bought a printer during COVID and now find that the it isn't what they want. Also, there are people that think 3D printing could be a money maker and find out that there is much more to it than they bargained for.
If I was suspicious, I would have them do a test print. Something downloaded from net for example or one of your own designs. If they print it, and it turns out okay, then I would feel that it is a good buy for the right price. Of course they may not have gotten it calibrated to a point of working properly. My new MK3s+ kit (March) had a print head burn out and my Pinda was damaged in a way that didn't fully fail. No printer for 2 months working with Prusa for repair. New Pinda and all is well and prints better than when I got it.
Also depends on your interest in this as a hobby and what skill level you have for disassembly and tinkering.
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Folks, thanks so much for all your advice. Based on this wisdom - we pulled the trigger on a 119-day-old (print days) Mk3S for $500 CAD. Felt like a good deal and as the seller answered some questions and we arranged to meet - my confidence grew. He was very helpful and patient with my basic questions. I started to get the feeling this was a legit deal; he was selling this because he had settled on a Mk4 after trying a couple of other new machines. We struck a deal and we picked up the machine on Saturday. His basement hobbyist shop was immaculate, tons of prints and tools and machines, all in fine fettle. He had sent us a video of a benchy getting printed that day on the machine it was waiting on the plater when we got there - looking just perfect! He walked us through the machine and a whole collection of spares and bits he threw in. We've printed half a dozen things so far with various degrees of success as we ramp up our knowledge. My wife is learning Fusion 360 and we're already able to print in-house designed parts, giving us the development autonomy we sought. Thanks to all for their insight - we are up and running thanks to this community!
RK
Or someone bought a printer during COVID and now find that the it isn't what they want. Also, there are people that think 3D printing could be a money maker and find out that there is much more to it than they bargained for.
Neither of those is likely to have maintained it well...
If I was suspicious, I would have them do a test print.
Excellent idea. Try to see it actually printing.
Cheerio,
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Be aware a factory reset can reset the clock so if it looks more used then it's showing most likely they have factory reset it
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RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Be aware a factory reset can reset the clock so if it looks more used then it's showing most likely they have factory reset it
That's a good tip! This machine certainly looks legit, and it's working fine so far - and the seller seemed like an honest, keen hobbyist. I think we did okay. While this is my first 3D printer - it's certainly not my first purchase of used gear. Amongst other things, I collect vintage audio gear and have made many good and bad purchases over the years, teaching me a bit about how to dodge a flakey transaction, mostly. ; )
RK
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Oh. Let them be happy for a minute.
RE: How old is too old for a used 3S+?
Determining the age limit for a used 3S+ depends on several factors, including the printer's condition, maintenance history, and usage level. While there's no definitive answer, a well-maintained printer with up to 10,000 hours of printing time should be considered still usable. However, if the printer shows signs of wear, has been heavily used in a production environment, or lacks proper maintenance records, it might be considered "too old" even with relatively low usage hours.
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