Best Starting Point for New User?
Hey all! I just got my backorder placed for the Mk3 so I guess I have a few weeks of sitting on my hands still until I get a chance to play with it.
I've been 3D printing for a few years now with a Robo 3D R1, had a bit of a bumpy start with a bum power supply out of the box and a rapidly shattered Y axis belt clip. Remedied both problems and turned around and did this for my first big project:
My main reason for switching is that the filament feeding on the R1 is kind of crap. Many times I've had to pull the print head because a gear stripped the wired down to the core and it just stopped printing. Grabbing the filament from both sides looks to be a good solution for that problem.
So what's the best advice for a new PRUSA user? What's the "Oh, man, if only I had known x when I first opened the box" moment?
I read the manuals already, looks really straightforward. Is there anything not obvious I should be aware of?
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
So what's the best advice for a new PRUSA user?
My advice would be to study the forum postings with an open mind
Take a look at this one for a quick orientation - https://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3-f30/filament-sensor-just-burned-up--t14394-s10.html#p67138 - then read that whole thread.
There's an almost overwhelming amount of material here...
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
Thanks John! Overwhelming is kind of what I'm looking for. The Robo 3D R1 printer was fine, but the documentation was kind of lacking. 🙂
When I first turned it on and heated it up but wasn't able to maintain the heat I didn't really have a guide. The forums were useful but only up to a point "check the thermistor". OK, great, where is that? What does it look like? How does one check it? (Turns out, it wasn't the thermistor, it was the power supply.)
Knowledge is power so the more of it the better!
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
So what's the best advice for a new PRUSA user? What's the "Oh, man, if only I had known x when I first opened the box" moment?
Does this include building the kit? Or did you buy pre-built?
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
Owning, tuning and maintenance are going to be amongst your new hobbies, not just printing.
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
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Does this include building the kit? Or did you buy pre-built?
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Subscribed. Interested to follow this thread as I'm a complete noob to 3d printing. I've ordered the kit. After waiting 5 years for the tech to advance to the point where useful things could be made. (no flames please, just my opinion)
I have already ordered a Pi0 and card plus ABS, PETG, nylon and PC filament. My primary interest is to produce structural parts to meld with parts I've machined on my Shapeoko XL from Carbide 3D.
The Mk3 will live in an enclosure in my garage in SoCal. I do a lot of woodworking so, lots of dust, thus the enclosure. Enclosure is oversized to accommodate a MMU if I decide to go that direction.
My plan is to assemble the kit as designed with the parts provided by Prusa. In accordance with the, really, most excellent instructions provided by Prusa. Then we'll see what happens...
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
Does this include building the kit? Or did you buy pre-built?
I bought the kit and will be building it. I read the instructions before buying and it doesn't seem too tricky, I've definitely built more complex things. When I was a sysadmin I did all kinds of crazy builds for different projects.
I'm also curious as to which softwarre PRUSA users use for their printers.
The one I'm most familiar with is MatterControl so I'll probably start there, but I'm open to other programs.
https://www.matterhackers.com/store/l/mattercontrol/sk/MKZGTDW6
Re: Best Starting Point for New User?
Hi Jordan,
Prusa use a fork off the Marlin firmware for the printer,
and a fork off the Slic3r software for their slicer.
all available on the page below.
https://www.prusa3d.com/drivers
your Einsy board will come pre loaded with firmware, but it is likely it will not be the most up to date version... check it after building, update tools are available on the page mentioned above...
why not download the driver pack in advance and have a play with Slic3r whilst you wait...
maybe you can try slicing some models , possibly try them on the old printer....
Build the new printer in line with the latest assembly guide, ( I didn't even open the printed manual, however this is my third Original Prusa)take your time. and you should have a stable printer in your hands...
best wishes, 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: Best Starting Point for New User?
I can offer this about the build: Do not assume that meticulously following the instructions is automatically going to lead to perfectly aligned axes. Don't assume that the parts are naturally going to tighten down into exactly the right alignment. Get a decent caliper if you don't have one, and each time you build an axis, check measurements on rods, pulleys, belts, etc to make sure things are as square as you can realistically get them.
In terms of printing, it seems like many newcomer issues discussed on the forum could be avoided by really nailing down the first layer calibration before jumping in completely. Download some test prints that are only one layer thick. Use the Live Z adjustment to really get your first layer quality dialed in, starting in the middle of the print bed. Then using test prints that span the whole bed, use the Bed Level Correct feature to refine the first layer out toward the edges of the bed. Once you get those settings dialed in, you'll be on solid starting ground.