Trevor Rushton Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Happy New Year everyone. Following Colin's lead on the Wanhao Duplicator I thought a thread on this machine might be of interest. After months of dithering my index finger finally made contact with the buy button and for better or worse I hope to take delivery in about 7 weeks. I confess that I have no idea how I'm going to get on with it - my 3d cad skills are virtually non-existent but I keep thinking of things to make and I shall enjoy the challenge. The kit version is quite a bit cheaper than the ready built machine, but I was attracted to what appears to be a well specified kit if a bit toppy in pricing terms. Assembly seems to be well documented and after having built a Stepcraft CNC cutter I don't think it will pose too many problems. Stepcraft do a 3d printing add-on but that is quite expensive and I could not find very much to describe the quality of the print. I'd be interested to hear of any experiences whether good bad or indifferent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted December 29, 2016 Author Share Posted December 29, 2016 When the time comes here are some cockpit details to aspire to - check out the Vampire cockpit in particular Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Jones Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Good idea trevor. Twin boom aircraft are amongst my favourites, I'll be looking in with interest. and I reckon many others will be too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted December 29, 2016 Share Posted December 29, 2016 Happy New Year Trevor. That looks like a serious piece of kit. It will be interesting to compare notes when we get started. Fortunately mine comes pre-assembled, so at least that's one less thing for me to mess up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted December 29, 2016 Author Share Posted December 29, 2016 Thanks Ian and Colin The P-38 from 3d Lab Print looks rather fun - but that would be a serious project - I will start with a drag knife for the Stepcraft - there are a few designs out there. Colin, I am looking forward to seeing how you get on; for me the challenge looks to be 3d cad. I bought TurboCad a year or so ago and whilst its very capable (in the right hands) I have struggled with it. I have just tried Tinkercad but I think the answer is to have a definite project in mind and then find out how to do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 Trevor, I've never got my head around CAD, I really need someone to show me how to do it! I think your approach is the right one and I'm sure it's the way that I'll go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Smith 14 Posted December 30, 2016 Share Posted December 30, 2016 Looks expensive for what you get. Take a look at technology outlet where you can buy a similar printer for about a third of the price and get it early next week. Helpful knowlagabe people as well. Or if that's your budget take a look at the Wanhao D4S or possibly a Flashforge. I have had the Wanhao for about a year now never missed a beat. Duel extruders heated bed and fully enclosed, so you can print most materials. Down load makerbot desktop (free) search thingyverse straight from makerbot download it to an SD card and print, simples. I have an original copy of Solid works, all paid for, but rarely use it as there is that much out there. My advice for what it's worth cancel your order and take a look at technology outlet, and they keep spares in stock, and are also available from a few places in the UK. Edited By Stephen Smith 14 on 30/12/2016 22:07:02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted December 30, 2016 Author Share Posted December 30, 2016 Thanks for your post Stephen - I did spend quite a bit of time looking round before selecting the Prusa - I thought that that would suit my needs (or at least what I thought my needs were!) I have had a look at Technology Outlet and I must say it looks tempting but I think I will stick with my decision. Just downloaded Makerbot Desktop - looks interesting, thanks for the tip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Jones Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Makerbot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I now have the prusa mk2. It is good beyond words.Customer service dittoD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcaddict Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 so David what have you made, practically so far Ive made xt60 safety caps & a door wedge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Very little. We made undercarriage for a heli, a few toys and then we went on holuday. So far very impressed.Ive got a morse key file lined up to go and my boys want to go for the spitfire model. Still learning really.D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 I have just bought the the Anet 8 3D printer. cheap as chips, just got to build it and try to work out how to use the flipping thing. Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Jones Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Posted by Tony Bennett on 05/01/2017 19:23:32: I have just bought the the Anet 8 3D printer. cheap as chips, just got to build it and try to work out how to use the flipping thing. Tony B Unless I'm mistaken Tony, your printer is based on the Prusa i3 so you might find much in common on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Foxtrot Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Does this printer come with CAD software? If not what would you recommend for a newcomer and what does it cost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcaddict Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 delta dont know what you know about this but this is how it works - there are two parts to this (stl files & gcode files), there is the modelling software which you create or download your project (stl files), then you load it into the printer software "Cura" (supplied or downloaded). the modelling software did not come with my printer but I use tinkercad (free download) for basic stuff and autocad for more advanced once you have created the file (gcode files)for the printer in cura you put it on a mini SD card and insert it into the printer then play about with the hotbed & extruder settings - then make a cupof tea and wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!! p.s. you will find loads of stuff ready for printing on the net p.p.s you can download tinkercad & cura to practice without having a printer its fun and if I can do it anyone can !!!!! Edited By oldgit on 05/01/2017 21:18:20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 David, I am pleased to hear that you are impressed with the Prusa- I have to wait until early Feb for mine. I am trying to work with TurboCad to prepare a design for a magnetic fuselage jig - a bit like the Slec one but with magnets rather than bolts. It's a very simple design but whilst I am fine with 2d; I am finding 3 d a challenge. I tried Tinkercad but it feels as though I am giving in on the more sophisticated programme and need to persevere. I have used TurboCad for preparing files for my Stepcraft, but trying to get all of the vectors seems to be a challenge - you can draw the object but the Cut 2d programme does not recognise all of the lines and it can take a long time to get them sorted out. I assume that when working in 3d the same rules apply? Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Foxtrot Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Oldgit,Thanks for the information, I will download the software and have a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted January 5, 2017 Share Posted January 5, 2017 Hello Trevor good luck with that .Beyond me. BTW did you use to live in 14 Dewsbury road in Liverpool?.I lived at No 18 John Mantova Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted January 5, 2017 Author Share Posted January 5, 2017 Hi John, thanks and no it was not me I'm afraid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted January 6, 2017 Author Share Posted January 6, 2017 OOps sorry - last post should have been in response to Onetenor. Tony, that Anet printer looks a real snip - not sure how much you are paying but Gearbest have them for £136 as a kit. Can't really argue with that! Will be very interested to see how it compares with the original Prusa kit. I have seen some reviews of a print of a 20mm test cube so perhaps we could use something like that and post photos accordingly. Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Bennett Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 i will up date you once i get it here and built. a comparison test cube contest is a good idea. mine was from gear best at £140 delivered. Tony B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Foxtrot Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 Ordered mine. I have been thinking about this off and on for a while, a bit like standing on the diving platform and thinking should I / shouldn't I, so I finally took the plunge. I am sure that I will find a lot of uses for this once mastered. cheers Dave Edited By Delta Foxtrot on 06/01/2017 12:39:24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Rushton Posted January 7, 2017 Author Share Posted January 7, 2017 Delta Foxtrot - have you gone for an Original Prusa or a clone version (if that's the right term)? Like you I dithered for a long time. The Boss twigged I'd gone for it when she realised that "I could print one of those" became the standard answer to everything that had broken. It won't happen of course, but I am sure that I shall have lots of fum trying to coax something out of it. Trevor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delta Foxtrot Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 Trevor I bought the one linked by this in your original post i.e. the original Prusa i3 MK 3 machine. The reviews I read were very good and I prefer quality to saving a few quid so I am hoping that it will be as good as I hope it is. I see this as an oportunity to get into CAD and 3D design as well as being able to make loads of stuff, but I find myself thinking about more and more things that I could make. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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