A Different Direction..............

[Dave Ward]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

 

[Neil Merryweather]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

That's the way to go Dave.
I've made loads of gadgets and improvements myself over the years.
looking forward to seeing what you produce

 

[adt70hk]

Initially, I will be printing some simple stuff, Thingiverse has a lot of free models, including upgrade bits for the printer - like a different shroud for the part cooling fan. This is to familiarise myself with how the printer works and what to expect by using existing files.
I'm using FreeCAD, for producing my own 3D Models. I reckon the first object I'll have a go at is a TET bottle holder ( to prevent knockover! ).
I had set myself a total initial budget of £100, and so far I'm £2.01 under that for printer & 1 spool of PLA.
PLA filament is anything from £10-£20 for 1 kg ( I got mine discounted by taking a random colour - not important in initial tests! ) - what that will make depends on how many screw-ups I make - and I'm certain that there will be quite a few.
Things like a 1/35 Individual track link jig, or an aircraft assembly holder are also in my head. As I've already said I've had years of experience in designing engineering parts, ideas aren't a problem, it's the self-printing that's new
I realise that it's going to be a slow process ( a YouTube video of a print failing after 2 days was thought provoking ), but - baby steps......................
Dave

Will follow this with interest Dave.

 

[JR]

Dave.
Great idea and sure with your background you will soon make a success of it . Defiantly going to be the future of modelling additions and none standard items.
Like Andrew I will follow .

 

[The Smythe Meister]

......... am i reading that correctly?!!......
..... Did you say £100 for a printer and a spool Dave?!!!

 

[Dave Ward]

......... am i reading that correctly?!!......
..... Did you say £100 for a printer and a spool Dave?!!!

No, the PLA spool cost me £8.99,The printer was £72 & delivery was £17, one of those Ebay spots - that you only find when you spend far too much time on the site!
I only spend about 3 hrs a day on the computer these days, spread over the complete day. Before I retired, I used to spend at least 6 hours, more or less consecutively a day - needless to say, we had free eye tests & prescription glasses & the monitors were always large top of the range CRT's, & the first LED screens I'd seen apart from a laptop
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

A delivery from EVRI - who do actually seem to perform better than their previous identity of Hermes......

And just cracking the box for the first layer

A lot heavier than I thought!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

A quick look in the box, to check all the major parts are there - which they are. The real weight comes from the guide rods, lead screws & stepper motors. There are loads of packets of bolts, nuts, washers etc - no paper manual, it's all on a thumb drive with links to the YouTube assembly videos ( already watched twice ). It's a real DIY project, only a few things pre-assembled - included are a spanner, screw driver, side cutter, cable ties & cable tidies. One thing that is missing is a UK power lead, but I think I have a drawer full of these!
One thing that confounded me was a packet of what I thought were balloons, or small condoms!

I'm sure all will be revealed somewhere along the line!
Don't know whether to start a new thread on assembling this thing, or continue on using this one
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Really interested Dave. Like all the tech the price comes down steeply. My wife bought one of the first mobile phones. It was the size of a brick, only made and received calls and cost £86. That was probably 30+ years ago.
As John said with your background and your small steps approach I've no doubt you'll have success.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looking in with interest Dave, if nothing else to find out what the finger packages are for…….
I’d keep the build phase in this thread as well

 

[The Smythe Meister]

I'm in too Dave,
Very interested to see what's involved and pick up some tips for if I ever decide to have a bash

 

[Dave Ward]

The assembly itself is essentially kitchen table stuff - there doesn't appear to be any cutting or drilling, everything seems to be provided, and you don't need any specialist tools - bit like an IKEA flatpack cupboard!. Living by myself, I don't have any pressure to get the table clear for breakfast/lunch/dinner - otherwise you might have to assemble it in stages. One job that I've never done before is using cable tidy 'snakes' to keep all the wiring neat & away from hot/moving parts another first for me.......
Dave

 

[stillp]

Looking in with interest Dave, if nothing else to find out what the finger packages are for…….
I’d keep the build phase in this thread as well

I suspect they're to go on your fingers so you don't leave fingermarks.
Pete

 

[Gary MacKenzie]

Finger ( skin ) oils on the bed you print on will/can cause havoc.
At the price you paid you have a cracking deal.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

The assembly itself is essentially kitchen table stuff - there doesn't appear to be any cutting or drilling, everything seems to be provided, and you don't need any specialist tools - bit like an IKEA flatpack cupboard!. Living by myself, I don't have any pressure to get the table clear for breakfast/lunch/dinner - otherwise you might have to assemble it in stages. One job that I've never done before is using cable tidy 'snakes' to keep all the wiring neat & away from hot/moving parts another first for me.......
Dave

..... C'mon, c'mon Dave.....
.... how's it going together?!!

 

[Dave Ward]

Finger ( skin ) oils on the bed you print on will/can cause havoc.
At the price you paid you have a cracking deal.

When I produce my first good print - I'll agree with you!!!
Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

A few photographs of the parts - I'm just fiddling with the software provided, which isn't exactly intuitive.....................
The frame/chassis is made of 8mm laser-cut acetate - its covered with protective paper - I've peeled some back on the part in the centre

Here's where all the weight is:

Threaded rods & 8mm bars on the left, for guide rods. On the right, four stepper motors, X axis, Y axis & 2 for the Z axis ( it has to carry a lot of weight ) All very weighty & solid feeling.

The major components - the extruder & hot end at lower left, the motherboard, build plate and Y chassis lower right. Top left, power supply & display/control panel. Top right X & Y axis mounts.

Odds & sods, fixings etc

Y-axis bearings ( above the side cutters ) Loads of cables - which all seem to be helpfully labelled, Allen keys & a large packet of nuts, bolts & washers. Drive belt for X & Y axis, a tiny roll of filament and a cable to connect directly to your computer - otherwise you transfer files via micro SD card, which slots into the motherboard.
I've now sighted & identified all the major bits ( I haven't counted all the fixings! ), and I'm happy to say that everything is there - I'm always a bit doubtful about a bargain purchase, but the all important motherboard & control panel are still factory sealed, and all the other parts are brand new and in original packing.
I've heard that the acetate frame can flex, but a consensus seems to say that that is only evident when printing tall objects & printing too fast. One of the self-upgrade components that you can print is braces & strengtheners to eliminate this, which may be useful further down the line.
Dave

 

[Gary MacKenzie]

Not sure which is best test for a filament printer ( looks like they still recommend the ''benchy'' as the best ) , but some are essential tests to get the filament and the bed and extruder temps correct.
Once you have that sorted , you are 50% there.

 

[Neil Merryweather]

A few photographs of the parts - I'm just fiddling with the software provided, which isn't exactly intuitive.....................
The frame/chassis is made of 8mm laser-cut acetate - its covered with protective paper - I've peeled some back on the part in the centre

Here's where all the weight is:

Threaded rods & 8mm bars on the left, for guide rods. On the right, four stepper motors, X axis, Y axis & 2 for the Z axis ( it has to carry a lot of weight ) All very weighty & solid feeling.

The major components - the extruder & hot end at lower left, the motherboard, build plate and Y chassis lower right. Top left, power supply & display/control panel. Top right X & Y axis mounts.

Odds & sods, fixings etc

Y-axis bearings ( above the side cutters ) Loads of cables - which all seem to be helpfully labelled, Allen keys & a large packet of nuts, bolts & washers. Drive belt for X & Y axis, a tiny roll of filament and a cable to connect directly to your computer - otherwise you transfer files via micro SD card, which slots into the motherboard.
I've now sighted & identified all the major bits ( I haven't counted all the fixings! ), and I'm happy to say that everything is there - I'm always a bit doubtful about a bargain purchase, but the all important motherboard & control panel are still factory sealed, and all the other parts are brand new and in original packing.
I've heard that the acetate frame can flex, but a consensus seems to say that that is only evident when printing tall objects & printing too fast. One of the self-upgrade components that you can print is braces & strengtheners to eliminate this, which may be useful further down the line.
Dave

Now THIS is the Dark Art part where I'm concerned- anything electronic or mechanical
I'm sure you are well capable, Dave

 

[Dave Ward]

I actually started putting this thing together - but the first operation was to strip off the paper covering of the frame parts - a ten minute job, I thought. Nope. Nearly 2 hours later, I'd finished. I'm still trying to limit the use of my right hand, so that was it for the day! Still, the parts look pretty good without the brown paper. I bet assembling the frame will be a 20 minute job - famous last words
Some pictures tomorrow, I hope
Dave