2.4 Tool Changer build

[BMC76]

I'm interested in building a 2.4 tool changer setup. I have a P1s, this is the only printer I've owned and I've had it around a year. I frequently use PLA to support PETG and it's spectacular other than having to purge so much material to keep them from mixing. I occasionally use a 2nd color for accent or lettering, I design and print primarily functional parts for my other hobbies or things around the house. There is an overwhelming amount of options on Vorons that I've been researching, not sure I completely have my head wrapped around everything yet but I'm learning. I plan on building the 2.4 with a single print head at first so I can learn how to maintain and tune it before adding a 2nd print head. Since i have a working printer I'm not too concerned if I run into issues which I'm sure I will, it'll be fine sitting on the bench while i work through them.

I'm wondering if it's a bad idea to go with a kit like LDO or Formbot if I'm going to move to the tool change setup as soon as I feel confident with the printer. I don't want to have to completely swap major electronics and rewire the whole thing once I decide to move to tool change. Would it be better to buy incomplete kits with just hardware and source electronics separately to make sure they are suitable for multi heads?

I want 3 heads for sure, not sure I need 5 but I would want to make sure I have enough ports and enough power without having to swap boards or psu if I decide to add 2 more. I may eventually answer my own question as I keep researching but my head is starting to spin with all the reading I've been doing. I'd really like to start building the basic kit as I think that alone while help it all to start sinking in. I'm trying to keep my finger off the buy it now trigger but I'm eager to start building. Thanks

 

[OmarGherd]

Getting a kit would still be the better way to go & build stock. It will be the most cost efficient & a good platform to troubleshoot whilst stock (should you need to). Once working you can gain some familiarity with the machine whilst acquiring parts to go tool changer & mod as needed.

 

[BMC76]

After digging in some more I think I completely agree, though I fall in every rabbit hole I run across so I'm still thinking about both ways.

I've just spent the last few days going down the BOM and sourcing guide putting everything in a spreadsheet. This along with watching some build videos, studying cad models has given me a much better understanding of how the machine works and the vital components. Toolhead electronics I'm still trying to wrap my head around but I'm getting there.

Sourcing mostly from Kb3d with some components from other vendors. I come up with about $1850US to get the parts for a functioning single head printer following BOM. I have not done much shopping around yet, just kind of getting a baseline. Kb3d has a lot of convenient BOM bundles like fastener kit, cables/connectors kit, frame, panels. Some things like the motors I just followed the links from the sourcing guide for cost reasons.
For comparison an LDO kit is $1400 US so $450 cheaper and comes with some higher end motors among other things.
I'll probably go that route but I'm still going to continue with my spreadsheet to get a full personalized BOM for everything I would need for a tool changer, and removing anything i wouldn't from the list. I think I'm sure I'll find that the kit will be cheaper even having unused parts but we'll see. Alot of things to consider like the tool boards, umbilical, frame dimensions possibly being custom to accommodate umbilical, ect.
I'm actually having a pretty damn good time researching and putting all this together, though I'm not sure I can keep my finger off the buy it now button while i finish this list.