Flexplate Group Buy
Hi Guys,
I have purchased a MK3 and have been happy printing for many hours already. What would help, is having spare steel sheets to swap with quickly and keep printing. I have purchased another 2 MK3 units, so the need for these spare beds is growing. PRUSA store doesn't have any available, and I dont imagine they will for a bit yet till orders have leveled out.
My proposal is to approach a local shop to laser these beds, then add BuildTak to one side, and PEI to the other. It would be a quality work and I can assemble the units. I got a quote from the laser shop already, and the cost would be 30CAD/sheet if I went with a small order of 20 sheets. Price reductions would be there if we could order larger quantities. Same thing goes for the BuildTak. If I could order 50 or more sheets, they will make a custom sized buildtak classic and buildtak pei sheet that would fit these plates.
So, im looking to see if there are any folks interested in these plates to determine the order quantity to proceed with. I will, personally, want 5 of them.
Perhaps im late to the boat, and someone has already done this or offering? If so, let me know...
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Hi Jon,
it would be useful if we had a target area, where are you, I am in Halifax UK
if cost was right I could be interested!
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: Flexplate Group Buy
Honestly, all I need is a sheet.... who needs the markings. If you want to include the PEI and Buildtak, I'm game.
Illinois, USA
Anything can be made better
https://www.myminifactory.com/users/Joe%20Prints
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Im located in Canada.
The intent would be to use the stock BuildTak products, no markings. Nice and clean. I have used these products before and they are just simply awesome.
BuildTak Classic
https://www.buildtak.com/product/buildtak-3d-printing-surface/?attribute_pa_dimensions=10-x-10&attribute_pa_qty=25-pack&attribute_pa_color=black
This would simply be the best style bed you can get, pretty much. Canada Post rates aren't crazy expensive (plus there is DHL, FEDEX, UPS, Purolator available).
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I would go for two at that price...
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Lastly, I guess I should clarify. Costs so far are as follows:
Steel Sheet - $30CAD
BuildTak Original - $15CAD (or less if higher quantities)
BuildTak PEI - ??? (waiting on quote) My guess is also $15CAD
So could be around $60CAD when done. If we can get quantities of around 200+, I am told the price gets cheaper for each product (spring steel, PEI, and BuildTak).
I know the price may seem high (which I am confident I can get them down), but none of these products are cheap quality, and will give us 2 styles of surfaces on one plate.
Hope the interest is still there.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
If there is a real chance that PR will continue holding off on selling the powder coated SS sheet until maybe July or even August - I'd be interested in just the spring steel sheet, if it could be shipped internationally at a decent price. The flexplate from Buildtak is (handily) $25 USD but it would cost $48 in shipping to get it to Australia.
I'm not interested in the Buildtak Sheet, just the PEI, and I can get PEI sheets (2x) just as good from the likes of Aliexpress for around $22 USD delivered.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Alrighty, I got some final part costs, based on a order of 200 of each of the follow:
FlexPlates = $22.99 CAD ($17.84 USD)
BuildTak Original = $18.66 CAD ($14.48 USD)
BuildTak PEI = $21.39 CAD ($16.60 USD)
Got a massive discount on the steel if the size increased to 200 sheets instead of 20.
I think these prices are really good. I will get a quote for some international shipping options with, and without tracking.
I would setup a site where anyone interested can preorder. Once we hit the goal size of 200 or more, I would then place the order.
Preorder options would look like this:
Steel Sheet Only
Steel Sheet with (1) BuildTak Original
Steel Sheet with (2) BuildTak Original
Steel Sheet with (1) PEI
Steel Sheet with (2) PEI
Steel Sheet with (1) BuildTak Original and (1) PEI
Let me know what you folks think about this. Looking for honest thoughts here as I would really love to pursue this.
I compared these prices to what BuildTak offers, and they are cheaper in each configuration, and Im pretty sure shipping will be much cheaper.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Jon
Im on for this if shipmen for Sweden is ok.
Ill can take two.
---
Gert
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
Jon
I'd like a plate and one PEI sheet.
Thanks
Bob in USA
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I'm interested in this! I'd very likely get two sheets: one with 2 x PEI and one with 2 x BuildTak Original.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I will setup a preorder site that we can go to select what you would like. Once we reach the order quantity, I will send an update and we will proceed.
The faster we can spread the word and get to our order points, the faster I can deliver. Ill have a quote for shipping this coming Monday.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
SEE GUY 😀 😀 😀 : https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D8KW6R1
Still too expensive. Over 40usd to get the plate.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
That guy is also selling a dual-sided PEI powder coated sheet. I bought his first version and reviewed it on this forum and he gave me a refund since it didn't work.
He has now come out with a second version which I have been using. So far the new version is meeting all of the objections I had with the first one but I've been holding off on my review until I can do test prints with other materials such as PETG and TPU.
So far the new version which has a thicker coating than the first version is performing very well.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
That guy is also selling a dual-sided PEI powder coated sheet. I bought his first version and reviewed it on this forum and he gave me a refund since it didn't work.
He has now come out with a second version which I have been using. So far the new version is meeting all of the objections I had with the first one but I've been holding off on my review until I can do test prints with other materials such as PETG and TPU.
So far the new version which has a thicker coating than the first version is performing very well.
Thats why I wanted to stick with a trusted, brand name, company, who specializes in coatings: BuildTak. I have tested BuildTak with most materials and and their PEI has done well for me on another printer.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I hope you don't think I'm trying to derail your project. Thats not my goal at all. Just pointing out an alternative.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I hope you don't think I'm trying to derail your project. Thats not my goal at all. Just pointing out an alternative.
Lol not at all. I applaud anyone who can sell these plates. Wish Prusa would reach out to other supplies to offer the product on their own.
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I wonder if it will cause problems if the steel sheet + PEI + Buildtec layers ends up much thicker than a powder coated sheet.
Will that not cause some sort of PINDA problem?
Re: Flexplate Group Buy
I wonder if it will cause problems if the steel sheet + PEI + Buildtec layers ends up much thicker than a powder coated sheet.
Will that not cause some sort of PINDA problem?
I wouldn't think so. The PINDA reads off of the flexplate itself, the thickness underneath would be irrelevant.
If anything, the live-Z would be slightly less than it is with the Prusa plate due to the Buildtak thickness being greater than the Prusa PEI sheet
Anything can be made better
https://www.myminifactory.com/users/Joe%20Prints