I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Dumb question; I'm sure it's answered somewhere I just missed it. I just ordered an I3 MK3S. I have background with CNC machining but this will be my first time using a 3d printer. Is there a list somewhere of what's in the box? What tools and other stuff should I acquire while waiting for it to arrive?
Thanks!
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Check out the online assembly guide: https://manual.prusa3d.com/c/Original_Prusa_i3_MK3S_kit_assembly
Part 1 shows the tools included. Also read the comments for that "Step" for some useful tips from other customers. Really, while you are waiting for delivery, read through the online assembly manual at least once, including the comments that other customers have added to the steps. That way you will be fully prepared for assembly when you receive your kit.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Not sure how I missed that. Thanks!
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Oh, even though the instructions say not to bother with lubricating the bearings, there are several of us here on the forums who think that Prusa is mistaken. We feel the shipping lubricant isn't sufficient for operation. See the comment on Part 2, Step 24 for a quick description on "proper" grease packing of the bearings before assembly.
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Grade #2 SuperLube or Grade #2 White Lithium Grease. Both available at any hardware or parts store.
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Vote for Superlube here. Check the grade carefully. And print the Thingiverse lubricating cap for it. And the cap for the cap...
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Prusa now includes a small tube of grease which the recommend keeping for future maintenance...
I greased the linear bearings on day one, during assembly
different folks different strokes... none are particularly right or wrong, there are Pro's and Con's to every option
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Thanks for all the info. Will go shopping for some grade 2 PTFE grease and take my time with the assembly manual before the printer arrives!
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Thanks for all the info. Will go shopping for some grade 2 PTFE grease and take my time with the assembly manual before the printer arrives!
Quick question... Do you have (or have access to) a 3D printer already? I ask because I alluded to a suggestion, and someone else here directly made a suggestion for you to print something out from Thingiverse to use on your printer before it is even built... Kind-of a catch-22....
I didn't get the memo on properly packing grease into the bearings (instead of relying on the light shipping oil) until after I had built mine, so I had an opportunity to print out a nozzle before my first PM tear-down. Because the print has some small, fine walls that I wanted to allow to cool and harden properly before laying down more plastic, I printed three copies of the nozzle at the same time. The one I printed Thingiverse is this one, both parts printed in Prusa orange PETG. I can only guarantee that these will fit the 3oz tube of Superlube (#21030) that I bought from Amazon, but I don't expect Superlube to have arbitrarily changed the nozzle threading on their 3oz tubes since then.
I've only used one, so I have the other two knocking around in a spare parts box. If you would like one (it may need some clean-up, I only remember fully cleaning strings off of one) I could mail it to you (I'd be mailing out of Delaware, USA). PM me your shipping address, and then because I'm still not comfortable with notifications on this forum, let me know here so I know to look for your PM. 😉
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Drat. Edit time for the post expired. Here is the SuperLube that I ordered from Amazon (non an affiliate link): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XBH9HI/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
See my (limited) designs on:
Printables - https://www.printables.com/@Sembazuru
Thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/Sembazuru/designs
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Superlube (20130) is Grade #2, as are most tubes of White Lithium grease you find in stores.
Teflon filled grease is not normally recommended with bearings. Superlube does have Teflon, but many of us use it and so far, knock on wood, haven't seen much of a problem. But don't grease the lead screws driving the Z-Axis. The T-nut is self lubricating, and some greases, like Superlube, attack the material (personal experience speaking - one day when when I was dabbing things with grease I just dabbed the screws without thinking and now have black Delrin up and down my lead screws and a bit more Z-axis play than I should).
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Wow lots of interesting information about lubricants. Thanks a bunch!
Also the comment threads embedded within the documentation is pretty cool. Looking at the data here: https://manual.prusa3d.com/Guide/Printer+maintenance+tips/1437 - it appears that @jacob recommends grease with the following properties:
Kinematic viscosity at 40 ° C: 50
Thermal regimes ° C: -30 to +120
Specifications: ISO 6743/9 CCEB 2/3 DIN 51502 KP2 / 3K-30
When trying to make sense of the viscosity specifications, happened across some interesting documentation on how to read these values:
Based on the datasheet for SuperLube 21030 it sounds like viscosity is pretty close to those specs: https://www.super-lube.com/Content/Images/uploaded/documents/Compatability%20Charts/Super%20Lube%20Multi-Purpose%20Synthetic%20Grease%20with%20Syncolon%20(PTFE).pdf
Others seem to be using the LucasOil White Lithium Grease product (to avoid the possibility of PTFE attacking some of the non-metal pieces), but that product is significantly more viscous than the listed specification: https://lucasoil.com/pdf/TDS_White-Lithium-Grease.pdf
In general, it's not easy to interpret the various lube products' datasheet to translate to the provided specifications. Probably it's not a huge deal for low volume operations but I could see it mattering a lot for higher volume and desire for more longevity. I would assume theres a lot of other variables that affect people's outcome. How much dust is getting sucked into the bearing? Were they cleaned before packing? etc.
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Thanks for all the info. Will go shopping for some grade 2 PTFE grease and take my time with the assembly manual before the printer arrives!
Quick question... Do you have (or have access to) a 3D printer already? I ask because I alluded to a suggestion, and someone else here directly made a suggestion for you to print something out from Thingiverse to use on your printer before it is even built... Kind-of a catch-22....
I didn't get the memo on properly packing grease into the bearings (instead of relying on the light shipping oil) until after I had built mine, so I had an opportunity to print out a nozzle before my first PM tear-down. Because the print has some small, fine walls that I wanted to allow to cool and harden properly before laying down more plastic, I printed three copies of the nozzle at the same time. The one I printed Thingiverse is this one, both parts printed in Prusa orange PETG. I can only guarantee that these will fit the 3oz tube of Superlube (#21030) that I bought from Amazon, but I don't expect Superlube to have arbitrarily changed the nozzle threading on their 3oz tubes since then.
I've only used one, so I have the other two knocking around in a spare parts box. If you would like one (it may need some clean-up, I only remember fully cleaning strings off of one) I could mail it to you (I'd be mailing out of Delaware, USA). PM me your shipping address, and then because I'm still not comfortable with notifications on this forum, let me know here so I know to look for your PM. 😉
Might take you up on that. I don't presently have access to a printer, so your offer to ship a part would be super helpful. Looks like my noob status hasn't worn off yet to allow me to send you PMs, but will bug you again on this thread if I decide to do it after getting into the assembly process. Happy to venmo or something to cover your costs. Cheers!
RE: I3 MK3S - What's in the box?
Needs:
Brass brush to clean nozzle
Plastic razor knife to lift prints
Cutter to trim filament end (flush cutters supplied in printer bundle)
Selection of M3, M4, and M5 screws and nuts compatible with MK3. Always need more screws...
Save filament boxes to keep purchased items, tools, and printed items. Lots and lots of boxes...
Airtight Plastic tub to keep filament, along with desiccant