Prusa mini Fysetc clone - log of a journey  

Appendix……nope

Looks like these clones come with no appendix?

Built….

So, all built.  My issues:

1. PINDA had to be lowered.  
2. Had a hell of a time loading filament. Had to play with the tension on extruder.  Seems to be okay now.  
3.  Getting all those wires in the case was a B word. 
4.  Bolt to attach display too long. Had to dig in my junk drawer (or I could have used a bolt to shorten it.). Worked out. 

Loaded the latest firmware.  Intrigued that the appendix is removed.  

Changes after I play with it a bit. 

1.  Original MINI hot end and Bondtech heartbreak. 
2.  BMG Clone. I’m not a fan of the stock extruder. 
3. HATE the filament sensor. 
4.  Lama firmware to store all changes.   Looks like a cool firmware. 

Forgot to add….

It came with a powder coated PEI sheet. I prefer smooth PEI.  I bought one of those but not here yet.  I mostly use PLA so I’ll keep this for PETG.  

RE: Sample print

Just installed the smooth PEI steel plate and tweaked the XY calibration.  All went pretty well.  My Z offset is.......zero.  Printed perfectly with a zero offset.  I think I need to adjust the pinda because nozzle pretty close to bed.  Seems this thread is dead.  Anyway, it was a fun experience and machine prints great.  Sample below is right off the build sheet.

PEI sheet

This thread is... not dead :))

I have love and hate feeling with the texture on the power coated PEI sheet. I love it because it have pretty fine texture and stick very good with PLA. I hate it when I need some precise dimention part but the texture seem annoying me. I'm considering between smooth PEI sheet and just steel sheet. So, how well is the smooth PEI sheet going for you? may I ask if you also print ABS and how well is PEI sheet and ABS combination?

Stringy print

I have problem with stringy print for months. I have tried BMG extruder, full metal heatbreak, lower print temperature but not have any good result 🙁

Until now, thanks to the OP for figure out changing the hotend thermistor type from 5 to 1, now I have better print with way less stringy.

Some more upgrade beside the hardware is the Llama firmware. Since the clone does not need to break appendix (because it a clone), its no-brainer upgrade that fixes everything that I complain about the original firmware:
- Change and save e-step for my BMG extruder,
- Perform PID tunning and save the value, can change the hotend fan speed
- Print progress from OctoPI

For anyone want to use Llama but with fixed thermistor type and latest 4.3.2 firmware from Prusa, you can use my built version here:
https://github.com/RyanDam/Llama-Mini-Firmware
Follow this instruction from Prusa to flash new firmware, if the firmware flash screen not shown, you can follow from step 8.

RE: PEI Sheet

Hi!  So far I have only used PLA and I like it much better on the smooth PEI sheet.  It worked fine on the textured sheet but I felt like I was printing on asphalt.  I did just buy my first roll of PETG, so I will use the textured sheet for that.  I'm not sure I need ABS, as I believe you need an enclosure for that?  My space is pretty tight.  I can go UP, so am printing the legs for the Prusa mini.  Going pretty well on the smooth sheet.  This printer is much faster than the Ender 3 I have.  The mini is printing the legs in gray and the Ender 3 is printing the inserts, etc. in orange.

So far, I really like it.  Completely stock right now.  My z-offset is now like -.180 but is maybe a little too close to bed.  I need to back it off a few numbers.  I just printed the right rear leg (first thing I printed with supports) and it went great.  I am printing these in DRAFT mode with a .3 layer height.  FAST.  Print still comes out looking pretty good.  

Posted by: @ryandam

This thread is... not dead :))

I have love and hate feeling with the texture on the power coated PEI sheet. I love it because it have pretty fine texture and stick very good with PLA. I hate it when I need some precise dimention part but the texture seem annoying me. I'm considering between smooth PEI sheet and just steel sheet. So, how well is the smooth PEI sheet going for you? may I ask if you also print ABS and how well is PEI sheet and ABS combination?

PEI Sheet

I printed some part with ABS without the enclosure, its a hit and miss since the textured PEI not stick so well with ABS. In my location the weather is little bit hot ~30*C so enclosure is not really needed. Can I have a link to the smooth PEI of your? anyway, good luck with your mini base, I also want it but still considering it because it almost cost a spool and multiple days to print.

I see you planning for BMG extruder, I recommended for one from TriangleLab, it very good. The stock extruder is very noisy with gear backblash noise when your print have multiple small part which required lot of retraction and un-retraction.

Abs

My smooth pei sticker sheet sticks too well with ABS

Abs

Thanks for the reply, will have some look for smooth PEI.

PEI Sheet

Posted by: @ryandam

I printed some part with ABS without the enclosure, its a hit and miss since the textured PEI not stick so well with ABS. In my location the weather is little bit hot ~30*C so enclosure is not really needed. Can I have a link to the smooth PEI of your? anyway, good luck with your mini base, I also want it but still considering it because it almost cost a spool and multiple days to print.

I see you planning for BMG extruder, I recommended for one from TriangleLab, it very good. The stock extruder is very noisy with gear backblash noise when your print have multiple small part which required lot of retraction and un-retraction.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08P5JMHFQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the Fysetc BMG clone V1.  Supposed to arrive today.  I also bought the Bondtech heat break.  

Appreciate the feedback 🙂

Mini Base added

Did the Mini base (still waiting on a USB extension cable to complete it.)  Clone is running great!  Still haven't done the heatbreak or extruder upgrades.  Works fine in PLA and PETG.  I did have an issue with Eryone filament from Amazon.  Jammed up in extruder.  Tried everything.  Switched filament, worked great again.  Switched back to Eryone, jam.  Tried the Eryone on my Ender 3 and was finally able to get it to work, but difficult to get good adhesion.  All other filaments I have tried work great in Mini.  Hatchbox, Joyo and a few different generics that had no issues at all.

Llama firmware

I meant to put earlier that I put the Llama firmware on it.  Works great (Appendix broken out of the box.)  Everything is stock right now, but once I put the Bondtech heatbreak on and the BMG clone, it will be a simple matter of putting in the values and all set.  

Rep Mini Base added

Your base upgrade look good, how long did it take?

RE: PTFE

Be careful printing ABS or ASA.  The heartbreak is lined all way to the nozzle with PTFE tubing and you can get some damage to the PTFE.  

RE: PTFE

I am going to use PC4-M8 fittings in hot end and just one piece of PTFE from extruder to bottom of heat break.  Not sure if I could print flex materials with that setup.  90% of the time I am just using PLA anyway.  

flex

Posted by: @urshurak776

I am going to use PC4-M8 fittings in hot end and just one piece of PTFE from extruder to bottom of heat break.  Not sure if I could print flex materials with that setup.  90% of the time I am just using PLA anyway.  

It can be a challenge, but I print flex materials with mine.  

Flex

Good to know it can be done .  If I did do it, it would probably be just some one offs.  Not all the time.  Appreciate you telling me your experience with them.     

Posted by: @cwbullet

 

Posted by: @urshurak776

I am going to use PC4-M8 fittings in hot end and just one piece of PTFE from extruder to bottom of heat break.  Not sure if I could print flex materials with that setup.  90% of the time I am just using PLA anyway.  

It can be a challenge, but I print flex materials with mine.  

flex

Please let me know if you have trouble with flex material.  I will try to print some with you.  

Thanks!

Thanks @cwbullet!