Rookie looking for advice

[FlapperJack]

Hi All,

A complete rookie here.
I have had my first printer for a year now. It is a Qidi X-smart 3, as I wanted a simple, easy-to-use, plug-and-play printer to start with.
Now, I am contemplating my next printer. I love the Voron concept and the community that comes with the project.
As I am looking for a bigger build plate, my interest lies with the trident or 2.4.

I, however, am intimidated by the build process.

I have two trains of thought that are conflicting.
1: I want to support the open source community, be able to keep my printer up to date without replacing it (avoid waste when possible), being able to do (minor) mods to optimize the printer to my needs.
2: I have limited experience in electronics and programming, I want a printer that prints (the printer is not the project).

Can you advise me on the following:
Is the build doable for someone with limited experience? If not, what could be a good route to develop the needed skills?
Is a derivative a reliable option? Like a Troodon 2.0 pro or the SovolSV08?

Thanks!

 

[5twenty]

I want a printer that prints (the printer is not the project).

Then...this might not be for you. The printer is always the project, for me, when building them. If I wanted the print to be the project, I'd buy a printer already made, ready to go. But, the printer is most definitely the project.

 

[claudermilk]

Yeah, if you just want something that works out of the box then going with a Prusa or Bambu would be the better bet. Keep in mind though that 3d printers are not at appliance stage yet, so there will be maintenance and tinkering no matter what you get. It's just the Voron project is a complete DIY solution. Meaning you have to build it from scratch, then install and configure the software yourself. Once built, booted up, and tuned it's a great printer--but there is a significant project first just to get to printing things.

 

[FlapperJack]

Thank you for the replies.

I would love to be able to build and maintain the printer properly. I just don't envision myself modding often.

I have come to understand that a well build machine will be a absolute workhorse. I am just not confident in my build skills at this stage. Especially electrical and programming related.

If I am spending a serious amount of money I would prefer to do it towards a project or company with an vision I identify with.

Would a kit build of a prusa, be a good starting point to get more familiar with the process, or maybe a rook mk1 by Rolohaun?

I would go for the qidi plus 4, to get the build volume I am looking for. And do a project on the side to develop my skills.

 

[vinnycordeiro]

Thank you for the replies.

I would love to be able to build and maintain the printer properly. I just don't envision myself modding often.

I have come to understand that a well build machine will be a absolute workhorse. I am just not confident in my build skills at this stage. Especially electrical and programming related.

If I am spending a serious amount of money I would prefer to do it towards a project or company with an vision I identify with.

Would a kit build of a prusa, be a good starting point to get more familiar with the process, or maybe a rook mk1 by Rolohaun?

I would go for the qidi plus 4, to get the build volume I am looking for. And do a project on the side to develop my skills.

Given what you said on this post, I believe a Prusa printer is the best option for you: they can be bought on kit form or already built; they are easy to give maintenance, mostly using standard parts that can be easily obtained even outside of Prusa (there are some specialty parts depending on the chosen model), which isn't something you can say from other brands like Bambu Labs; and they have a working post-sales support, which other brands (specially the Chinese ones) are just lacking.

I'd suggest you going with a Prusa CORE One printer: it's a CoreXY kinematics printer, like the one used on most VORON printers. It's their newest model, which unlike the Prusa Mk4 have a very competitive price considering the models from other brands in the same range. However, the Mk4 line are just workhorses, they simply keep going and going printing, they are just not as fast as CoreXY printers, and the price can be intimidating for a bed flinger printer.

 

[claudermilk]

Yes, absolutely! I started with a Prusa Mini+ kit myself. I started with zero knowledge of 3d printing, though I do have programming knowledge.

Pretty much as soon as I completed that build and got it running I did a couple of mods (Octoprint on a Raspberry Pi), then started looking at the Vorons. I used the Prusa to print up my Trident 250 which I self-sourced and built. That Trident is now at 4000 hours run time and has been joined with a V0.2.

The Prusas are not the cheapest out there, but like @vinnycordeiro said, they are reliable workhorses and they have a solid company and community backing them.

 

[FlapperJack]

Thanks for the advice. I hadn't considered the mini as a option to gain some experience. I think that will be the path I will follow. For immediate usage purchase a pre-assembled machine. Then build up experience through building kits, the mini is at a price point I am comfortable with and can afford a mistake on.

Thanks to you all.

 

[3dCase]

I agree with the above posts about Prusa. Ready kits that cost a bit more but they will perform and their support is very solid too.
You can still mod them if you have too later on but if building one is scary from the start you risk not finishing it and be left with a heap of parts.
If you do go with something that has klipper, the klipper discourse group is very helpfull but they do like you to follow forum protocols and fill out the questions as asked. When you do that they are a fantastic bunch with a sea of knowledge.

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