Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
I've found a 3 used MK3S(+) all for around 700€
1. MK3S+ with Boundtech Extruder, 3 months old for 730€
2. MK3S+ with Misumi Rails and Bearings(upgraded), unknown but was upgraded from MK3S to the + for 750€
3. MK3S with IGUS Rails and Bearings and a few other upgrades, 1 year old for 700€
this one also has the option to get the MMU2S included for 825€ total
So what is the best deal, are those even good deals and or should I just get a Creality Ender 3 S1 and call it a day
Here is some background information 🙂
So I've recently bought an Ender 3 v2 as my first 3D Printer. I've had my Issues with Adhesion and a stuff but seems to have figured it out (mostly that is)(rly the only thing saving me form constant warping are rafts).But a few weeks after I ordered the V2 Creality released the S1(400€) with basically all upgrades you would want to have (be it the basic ones).But now we're close to Mini+ prices.
So then I've started to do a bit more research on the Prusa Printers and really just fell in love with Prusa as a company and their standing-point (with open source stuff etc.) so I really would like to own one and be a part of the awesome Prusa community. However it does come at a bit of a cost and I'm not sure if its really worth it.
While I do enjoy a bit of tinkering, I didn't have that much fun tinkering with the V2 to get it to work somewhat reliably + the main deal breaker rly is the noise. I live in a shared flat and my room is rly tiny, so the few nights I've had the V2 running through the night weren't that great of an experience. That's where the Prusa Mini+ fell out of the race with it not having stealth mode
The MK3S with stealth mode runs below 40db wich is barley noticeable compared to the about 55db of the V2 and though Creality claims the S1 runs below 50db it's still a lot compared to the MK3S (again with me sleeping in the same room as the printer this really makes a difference)
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
Why would you even consider a used printer for 700€+ when you can get a new MK3S+ kit for 649€? I don't see the above noted 'improvements' as problems. I have a MK3S and my son has a MK3S+. They both print beautifully. Get a kit and TAKE YOUR TIME assembling it. My printer assembled with 15 minutes of minor alignments, and my son's tested perfect on the first go. I would go for a new printer, else you may be buying someone elses problems. Maybe they really screwed up putting theirs together and can't get it to work right.
is this a good deal?
NO
I might offer 700 for all three, that way I've a good chance of getting two of them working by cannibalising the other for parts. Anyone making those changes and then selling the machines has been throwing money and ignorance at them whilst probably ignoring good advice that doesn't agree with his misconceptions, those will be user-ruined machines.
Many experienced users here could probably fix them, if you have to ask the question, don't do it.
For the same money you can get a brand new i3Mk3 kit, build a printer and take the first steps into the Prusa community.
Cheerio,
RE:
Unless you personally know the sellers, and know that they are really good mechanics, then I would view any 'upgrades' as both totally unnecessary, and also risky. If they are good mechanics, then you get a working printer without the time spent assembling, and no warranty.
I bought a secondhand Prusa, for half the price of an assembled one, and discounted the manpower time completely because I didn't know the builder. Turns out he was obsessively good, so it worked out.
It's almost totally stock, and despite a habit of upgrading things, I can think of no reason to mess with rails or bearings above the standard ones.
Edit: I see you come from an E3V2, same as me. Having tried both that and the MK3S+, no way am I ever going back to a Creality printer. Living with a tool that's got such fundamental issues with design and execution is something that I can do without. It was fun, but it was a cheap stopgap measure as I figured out whether I enjoyed this hobby.
One downside of the Prusa is that it's more prone to noise than the Ender frame (once Ender fans are replaced). I found lots of frame resonance, which were largely alleviated by sorbothane feet. Foam bases, granite bases, didn't help anywhere near as much.
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
That's where the Prusa Mini+ fell out of the race with it not having stealth mode
I won't go into dB's, but I have both printers and in everyday use, I hear no significant difference in noise. Actually, sometimes I think Mini is quieter than MK3S...
But then, why should there be much difference in noise? Both have two fans, both use same stepper motors (MK3S even has one more than Mini) and both have the same movement solution (linear bearings). What mostly affect noise in my opinion, is how well printer is assembled and where it is placed. Of course, over the time of usage, every printer will become louder as bearings, gears & fans wear out.
My opinion: if "fear of noise" is the only reason for not getting Mini, then you should seriously rethink that.
As for used MK3S... Right now, new kit version is actually 769€ (and not 649€ as mentioned above) and you need to assemble it. And there's a reason why Prusa charges 230€ more for assembled MK3S: because it's a lot of work (for comparison, Mini+ is much, much easier to assemble).
If you're into Prusa printer, you actually have three "price friendly" choices:
A -Original semi-assembled Mini+ for 419€ (if print bed area is big enough for you),
B -MK3S clone kit for about 400€ (plus about 60€ if you decide to upgrade to original print sheet and SuperPINDA),
C -used MK3S+ with Bondtech upgrade for 730€ and keep in mind, it's assembled! -it's like you got it for 500€, if you think that way. And honestly, Bondtech extruder is better than stock extruder.
Decisions, decisions... 🤨
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
635.54€
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
Hmmm... I just checked again and I can't find this offer. Can you give a link?
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
MK3S+ Kit Price
RE:
Guess that's without any tax added. The mk3s+ kit is €769 / £699 plus shipping in the UK Inc vat.
RE: Used Prusa MK3S, is this a good deal?
The MK3S with stealth mode runs below 40db wich is barley noticeable compared to the about 55db of the V2 and though Creality claims the S1 runs below 50db it's still a lot compared to the MK3S (again with me sleeping in the same room as the printer this really makes a difference)
My MK3S+ sounds distinctly worse in stealth mode than in normal, with weird frame resonance sounds at quite a high pitch.