User Panel
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I have been looking forward to this printer. Hope it turns out ok.
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https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/165887/KIMG1493_JPG-1252757.jpgI didn't request this, which leads me to believe that all mini owners were sent one. Interesting. View Quote you need to break the tab and install the jumper. |
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Quoted: evidently they got into some trouble with EU for claiming open source but not including the jumper so people could replace the firmware... you need to break the tab and install the jumper. View Quote Had they just contacted me, I would have told them to save the $5 in shipping to send a 2 cent part |
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I reset the height of the MINDA probe per advice on the Prusa forums.
Got some interesting behavior. Where the probing fails is where I have major issues with MESH jamming the nozzle too close to the print bed. Can't embed, but take a look at the video links and tell me what you think. EDIT: Crap, those links give out personal info Puzzing. |
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Quoted:
I reset the height of the MINDA probe per advice on the Prusa forums. Got some interesting behavior. Where the probing fails is where I have major issues with MESH jamming the nozzle too close to the print bed. Can't embed, but take a look at the video links and tell me what you think. Those links contained personal, identifying information. Deleted per original poster's request; me. Note: I'd do the same for anybody who needs it to protect privacy -- Rat_Patrol Puzzing. View Quote Or there's some issue with the surface it's detecting at that spot. My guess is that those probes just ain't working right. Does that help? |
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lol, yeah, I think they screwed up not using the PINDA probes from the MK3.
Would have been worth the extra $5 (probably less) to have a reliable, in-production probe with temp compensation instead of jumping a step backwards on a new probe w/o a thermister. ETA: I'm on my second heated bed/Y carriage, AND MINDA probe, and I run both textured and smooth sheets, no changes on the swaps. |
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The_Steward:
I made a small edit in your reply of my quote. I didn't realize that those links gave out personal information. I would do the same for anybody who accidentally gave out personal info and was quoted to protect their privacy. So I guess you got insider information on me |
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Quoted:
The_Steward: I made a small edit in your reply of my quote. I didn't realize that those links gave out personal information. I would do the same for anybody who accidentally gave out personal info and was quoted to protect their privacy. So I guess you got insider information on me View Quote I clicked and it was like "you're logged in as ********". Me: well shit. And then I switched to privacy mode. I guess we'll have a MAD agreement not to doxx each other. ;-) |
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Prusa Mini is going back across the pond.
Tech support isn't sure what is wrong at this point, so a trip back to the factory to figure it out is in order. Prusa is sending a shipping label. They would like to to come back assembled, so I will use my own box. If its a warranty issue, this will cost me $0. If I broke shit, it will cost me repairs+freight. I highly doubt I did anything wrong, but I have the same policy with my business, so I fully get it. You don't know what kind of idiot bought your stuff and had no idea what he/she was doing and broke stuff and expects you do give out free stuff. BT/DT. Of course, I'll keep this thread updated when I have updates to share. |
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I'm looking to get a printer somewhat soon. Was looking at the Ender 3 or maybe the 3 Pro. Get the 3 and upgrade the extruder. I've got a local source for the 40mm extrusions. Figured I'd get those and use the replaced 25mm for additional vertical bracing. And by the time I get really moving have about the same $$ in the machine. Seems like they might be near the price point of this one by then. Also how close they can stick to the #349 by the time they get the initial birthing pains corrected. Looking at mostly Model Railroading applications. Also want to do replacement base plates and maybe followers for some old 20 round magazines for range use and desert shooting trips. I have access to a DLP printer if I need super fine small detail parts
Couple of questions How rigid is the X arm? How smooth is the finished product? Some ridging is acceptable if I'm making something to be "wood", but not for a smoothe sided metal car side or roof, etc. Will this be a better deal overall in the next few months. A decent manual and CS that understand English is a big plus. |
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I believe they will stick to the $349 for a while, unless the machine needs a total redesign, which I doubt. Replace the MINDA with the mk3's PINDA and they are in business. Prusa rarely runs a sale, and with the Mini getting more and more sales, they have no reason to have a sale anytime soon. So that to say no, the price will not go down.
The cantilever is plenty solid. They have acceleration values tuned nicely for good prints. I believe this will be a great machine at a great price once they get the bugs worked out. If you buy one, I suggest the filament sensor upgrade option. If you want to print petg, get the textured upgrade bed option (you will get both a textured and smooth bed). You are looking at about $450 with all extra options and shipping to the US. |
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Quoted:
OP this morning waiting for the package. https://media.giphy.com/media/mv1YxAXfJqMdW/giphy.gif View Quote So to soothe my feelings I broke down , went to Micro Center and got an Ender 3 Pro for $209 and some filament. I figure that's a better bet than a mail order from somewhere of the 60 Fwy just over the hill. Where nobody is liable to be able to communicate. |
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Quoted:
I believe they will stick to the $349 for a while, unless the machine needs a total redesign, which I doubt. Replace the MINDA with the mk3's PINDA and they are in business. Prusa rarely runs a sale, and with the Mini getting more and more sales, they have no reason to have a sale anytime soon. So that to say no, the price will not go down. The cantilever is plenty solid. They have acceleration values tuned nicely for good prints. I believe this will be a great machine at a great price once they get the bugs worked out. If you buy one, I suggest the filament sensor upgrade option. If you want to print petg, get the textured upgrade bed option (you will get both a textured and smooth bed). You are looking at about $450 with all extra options and shipping to the US. View Quote |
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I hope you get it back 100% working - still waiting on mine, but I'd rather have it right than right now...
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Pre-release of a new firmware today. Supposed to have MESH fixed.
I'm trying it out now. ETA: Nope, didn't fix my problem. |
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Well, 11 days later, I got my return label in my email inbox this morning.
I'll pack the mini up and let it take a trip to Prague. |
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After a hold-up with customs, the Mini is due to be delivered to Prusa on Friday.
Once it is delivered, I'll be curious as to how long they have it before I get resolution... |
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Are they actually repairing and returning yours? Almost seems like for that cost they'd be better off just replacing it with a new one. Maybe doing a refurb program.
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The reason I don't favor the Chinese imports as being particularly suitable for new makers (those just diving into 3D printing) is because of the amount of technical tweaking required to get them running. Maybe not for every printer, but for many. They require just-so assembly, tuning, tightening, calibrating, etc. Slicer settings can be a PITA to tune in. View Quote I have an ender 3 pro. I've had it for about a year or so now and had zero experience with any form of 3d printing prior. It has been nothing but good to me. Bed leveling is very easy and installing upgrades are a breeze. Cura isnt perfect, but the fact that I can just tell cura I have an ender 3 and it pops up with the correct profile is stupid easy. It really cant get much easier than this. Being more hands off with this printer allows me more time to learn fusion and tweak cura settings while the printer is printing (I've used autocad for over a decade and finally made the switch). It seems as if you either like prusa or dont. I'm in the latter camp. I think it's awesome they print parts for their machines, but it's not something I want on my machine. I also have a hard time believing the x axis on the mini wont sag over time or create issues on prints that utilize the entire x axis. That being said I have seen some fantastic prints come off of prusas and I will be following to see your progress. Glad to see prusa is taking care of you, I'm assuming crealitys support isnt as good as this. |
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This didnt age well with your issues with prusa. Lol. I have an ender 3 pro. I've had it for about a year or so now and had zero experience with any form of 3d printing prior. It has been nothing but good to me. Bed leveling is very easy and installing upgrades are a breeze. Cura isnt perfect, but the fact that I can just tell cura I have an ender 3 and it pops up with the correct profile is stupid easy. It really cant get much easier than this. Being more hands off with this printer allows me more time to learn fusion and tweak cura settings while the printer is printing (I've used autocad for over a decade and finally made the switch). It seems as if you either like prusa or dont. I'm in the latter camp. I think it's awesome they print parts for their machines, but it's not something I want on my machine. I also have a hard time believing the x axis on the mini wont sag over time or create issues on prints that utilize the entire x axis. That being said I have seen some fantastic prints come off of prusas and I will be following to see your progress. Glad to see prusa is taking care of you, I'm assuming crealitys support isnt as good as this. View Quote |
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I got basically a beta machine, and I knew I would having ordered on announcement day. I fully suspected issues, but for some odd reason, I wanted to be in on the cutting edge of Prusa Connect: their print-farm software. Prusa Mini's that have these initial issues taken care of (and the vast majority of plagued printers didn't need to go back, just parts sent out) are also just starting to ship recently. Of course, that happens to coincide when I (hopefully) get a fully functional machine . Lots of other folks have been very happy though, I've seen some INCREDIBLE prints come off of the Mini from other users. My printer gave me great results, save for the 1st layer ABL issues. I kept running it through the issues, and got great results. I've posted some. At this point, I still think the Prusa Mini will be a great quality option for beginners, provided the print area suits their needs.
I'm fully confident that Prusa will take care of me, but if they don't, I'll go scorched earth. After issues with customs on both ends (not Prusa's fault), my Mini is now scheduled for final delivery on Monday. Unless they find an issue and not give me a "we made some adjustments, lets try this", I'll be pushing for a different machine coming back. QC with the Chinese machines seems to be hit and miss. Some folks seem to get great units that work wonderfully out of the box, others have weeks of frustrations, printing out mods and fixes and trying to diagnose the issue, some folks actually giving up. Creality seems to be good at making ENDLESS revisions and changes, and you have no idea what you will get until it comes. I've thought of getting a cheap Ender 3 just for prototyping upgrades and new parts for making some of my other printers. I spent about as much on my Duet Maestro control board and BLTouch sensor for my R1+ rebuild as a full Ender 3 on sale . Cura has nothing to do with Creality, its just compatible with Creality and most all printers, as are nearly all slicers. I just don't use it. I got S3D back when its features were well worth the price (before the free slicers were even close), and I just keep using it because it still does well and when I did my slicer showdown, I got better results with S3D (albeit I have my profile tuned), though they were all about the same: no reason for me to learn new software. S3D has been leading folks on about a MAJOR update early 2020, so we will see if/when that happens what they are bringing to the table (crossing fingers for built-in non-planar printing). |
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Quoted: ^^^All of THIS^^^ I hear nothing good about the prusa machines. But for the price, they really should start injection molding parts. Heck it would probably make them cheaper. And my ender3 has exceeded all expectations I had for 165 bucks. If I knew it was this good I'd have paid 3x that easily. So I may buy another or a larger format machine View Quote 1. RepRap project compliant. Prusa is one of the original significant adopters of the RepRap project, which has a philosophy of having as many of the 3D printer parts being 3D print-able and being open-source. The idea is that if you have 1 machine, you can start making more machines. With how far 3D printers have come since the birth of RepRap, I'm not sure how practical this philosophy is anymore, but "you do you". 2. Geometries that are not injection mold compliant. You can do tons of geometries that are simply impossible to do (or expensive to do) on traditional injection molding. 3. Instant revisions. If they build a better part, they can literally have it in production that day for basically no additional investment in tooling. Injection molding setup is hugely expensive, so you get stuck into what you designed until its time to re-tool or you have no other option as to re-invest in tooling. |
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There is also the un-written rule that all opinions are null and void after 60 days .
Seriously though, the industry is moving THAT FAST. 3D printing, particularly desktop 3D printing, is a bleeding-edge industry. Its literally evolving by the day. Just look at what the free slicers could do today that they couldn't do 6 months ago. You have new companies like Slice Engineering changing the norms, power-house companies like Lulz-bot going basically out of business. Its hard to keep up with the nearly daily changes in what is possible and available. Just give it another year, maybe 2, before the E3D tool-changer techniques really take hold. Once China picks up on that, your Ender 3 will seem like a waste of money. It will revolutionize this revolutionary technology. |
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I only mentioned cura because you mentioned some ha e difficulty with cura settings. For the ender 3 pro defaults, they arent perfect, but they're a good start.
Thank you for being a good sport and let me razz you a little. I am definitely interested in how this turns out. Prusa really seems to have their stuff together and I hope this machine works as good as their other stuff does. I agree about the fast pace of this industry and am looking forward to the day I can buy an affordable metal 3d printer, but we still have to wait for the trickle down tech to get there. I read an article the other day that said some college kids TIG'd two pieces of 3d printed stainless together on a 600 dollar machine. |
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I am also looking forward to the day that tool changers become common. I don't think it will take long. Also larger form MSLA printers are trickling out, and as they become cheaper I think we might see them replace FFM for entry level printers... they're just dead simple in terms of user experience. I've literally never had a failed print on my photon, it's a push button experience. Honestly it takes some of the fun out of it, that and the smell.
You're right that the industry is changing quickly. I started with an ender 3 a bit more than a year ago. I was surprised at how simple the machinery was. I've used a prusa 2.5s and I can't say that the quality was better from what came off of it, as so much of a truly good print is slicer settings and tuning. The prusa is certainly a good turn-key option that you usually know is going to be working out of the box (or at least that's how its advertised) but they're all a bunch of chinese parts. Reprap project or not, I don't really like the idea of buying a printer made from 3d printed parts at the prusa pricepoint. You are completely correct as to why it is like it is, but spending $750 on a machine with 3d printed parts does kind of hurt. That said, while as far as communities go I've never seen the 3d printer community be snobby (which is really a first for any hobby I've gotten into, people don't tend to be brand whores or whatever for the most part in this), it was kind of funny seeing people maybe talk down bowden systems and setups for their few (generally relatively easily surmountable) issues then praise it to high heavens when prusa said they were doing one. I am interested in the prusa core xy and I feel at the speculative price point it will be a much more premium user experience than the mini. That said, if a Chinese maker beats them to the market with a large and quality core xy at cr10 pricepoints, it's going to make it hard to justify the Prusa. There are already some smaller XYs at low price points. |
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My current main printer is a Robo R1+. Well, it used to be anyway. All injection molded parts, zero 3d printed parts.
It actually makes mods a pita. Since Prusa has their parts open source, it's easy to make mods for it in CAD. So now my machine, which was actually advertised as having "no 3d printed parts", which actually won me over vs the similar priced Prusa mk2, is now full of 3d printed parts that I have designed . I guess to say that since it's a given people will mod their printers eventually, and will almost certainly 3d print their new parts, I don't see it as a negative having properly designed and executed 3d printed parts as oem. |
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In case anybody is waiting on updates, there really are none.
The package is STILL not delivered. First it was US Customs having a baby fit. I had to provide them documents for the export. Then it was German customs (Or EU, whatever) having a fit. Then it was the broker in Czechia dragging their feet. But... This morning... It is cleared through customs. Again . Hopefully gets delivered tomorrow, maybe . None of this is Prusa's fault, just EU bullshit. I wonder how much of this is because the EU doesn't like Trump? |
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Surprising they don't have a US warehouse yet like creality does.
Maybe soon. They are taking in enough money that it shouldn't take long. |
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Quoted:
Surprising they don't have a US warehouse yet like creality does. Maybe soon. They are taking in enough money that it shouldn't take long. View Quote It also may be cheaper to pay for international shipping on the few warranties that need to come back (vs parts sent out) than a US presence. Dunno. |
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Shipping has been updated.
Scheduled for delivery on Tuesday . |
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Package was delivered yesterday (Friday).
We shall see how long it takes for them to get back to me with testing results and what they plan to do. |
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Quoted:
Package was delivered yesterday (Friday). We shall see how long it takes for them to get back to me with testing results and what they plan to do. View Quote |
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Quoted: It took two weeks just for it to get from you back to Prusa? I've been reading this thinking they had received it, fixed it, and you were waiting for it to be delivered back to you. That sucks. View Quote Sucks, but government do what government do. |
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Email this morning:
Dear Rat_Patrol,
We would like to inform you, that we've received your MINI ORG PEI printer. If there is any cost to your repair, our technician will contact you as soon as possible regarding diagnostics and potential price evaluation. A complete "Repair protocol" will be included in the package after repair. Please confirm your shipping address for the return of the repaired PRINTER. Is it possible to use the same address and phone number we have in our system? xxxxxxx st Anytown Minnesota, United States The repair will take approximately 4 weeks, if you will not be available on the address above, please inform us. If you have any additional questions or requests, feel free to contact us anytime. Ji Koltor Customer Service View Quote I'll keep you folks updated. |
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The Mini was delivered today. I had no notice it was coming back, and I figured it would be a while with beer flu.
Haven't opened it up yet, it will have to go through ozone decon tomorrow. Their policy is if you broke it or nothing was found wrong, you at least pay for shipping. So I guess they found an issue, which it obviously had. Just in time to start making masks and visors! Will update tomorrow. |
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Opened up the box, read the tech report. When they went to auto home and first layer cal, it failed: bad MINDA probe. They would be the 2nd or 3rd bad MINDA probe. Yes, they did change it, I got the new version now.
It got all the official updates, hardware and software, and serviced, new MINDA probe and nozzle. The included test prints looked great, perfect first layer. I'll get it sterilized and back and going tomorrow. Super excited tot have it back! |
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Quoted: Opened up the box, read the tech report. When they went to auto home and first layer cal, it failed: bad MINDA probe. They would be the 2nd or 3rd bad MINDA probe. Yes, they did change it, I got the new version now. It got all the official updates, hardware and software, and serviced, new MINDA probe and nozzle. The included test prints looked great, perfect first layer. I'll get it sterilized and back and going tomorrow. Super excited tot have it back! View Quote Hope it works well now. |
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Just ran a bed leveling test print.
Not 100% perfect, but insanely better than it was, and perfectly usable. |
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Bondtech has some upgrades for the MINI, an improved extruder and a new heat break.
also, Aliexpress is offering an extruder for the mini. just some options if things go south again. Still waiting for my Mini, but I'm definitely getting better with Fusion360 - I still suck, but getting there. Oh, and evidently the board on the MINI appears to be set up to support an actual PINDA, so that may be an option at some point. So I've been following and researching every failure and problem with the MINI, while waiting for mine to arrive. I go back and forth between cancelling and paying the difference for the other Prusa, but have decided to stay with the mini for now. |
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Quoted: Bondtech has some upgrades for the MINI, an improved extruder and a new heat break. also, Aliexpress is offering an extruder for the mini. just some options if things go south again. Still waiting for my Mini, but I'm definitely getting better with Fusion360 - I still suck, but getting there. Oh, and evidently the board on the MINI appears to be set up to support an actual PINDA, so that may be an option at some point. So I've been following and researching every failure and problem with the MINI, while waiting for mine to arrive. I go back and forth between cancelling and paying the difference for the other Prusa, but have decided to stay with the mini for now. View Quote So far, no issues with the heat break or the extruder, so I'm not sure if I will upgrade those or not. I still intend on setting up my mini as a precision machine, leaving my other printer to run the .6 nozzle for chunky prints. That test print that Prusa sent back that was (supposedly) printed on my machine is extraordinary, and the motion system of my old machine just isn't up to the task of something with that much detail. |
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Just got my Mini Prusa two days ago. Thought I had a crap unit as I was getting Watchdog errors left and right. Turns out they had sent me a defective USB drive and it was faulting when trying to print from the drive. Used one of my own and now it is rocking it. Makes me want a larger print bed.
This thing is awesome. |
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As an update, the Mini has been running just fine.
I'm considering the bond tech extrude upgrade, but only if it makes running flexibles easier. Still doing research. |
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Mini is still running find, but I have found a weak spot:
The stock extruder doesn't like flexibles. I was able to get the semi-flex to print, such as the Tianese 95A TPU, but I had to slow it way down. I got some of the WYZ filament from Wal-Mart, which is more flexible, and I just could not get it to run, it would explode out of the extruder, jam up and grind away the filament, seemingly no matter how slow I printed. I installed the Bondtech extruder upgrade to my Mini (which only took about 30 minutes with me going slow, easy to do), and I have to say that I am LOVING this extruder. As a point of reference: I got about a 25% success rate on one of the v1 masks (from the 3D printed masks thread) taking 8 hours to print. I was able to run a demo mask (didn't have solid infill around the locking area) in 4 hours, no issues. I'm working now to see how fast I can push it. I have figured out that I can't ask more than 4.5mm of retraction from the Mini, or it jams up. If you plan on running flexibles on your Mini, this upgrade is damn near necessary. Of course, I did NOT get any improvement in print quality in general, but I wasn't expecting any. This upgrade was strictly for running flexibles. |
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OK, yeah, this bondtech extruder upgrade is worth every penny.
I'm running this WYZ flexible at very near PLA speeds: Ran a proper v1 mask in 3 hours, 50 minutes. By proper I mean making the lower ring with the locking tabs 100% infill. |
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hmm I've been babying my ender when it came to tpu speed even with the bondtech...maybe i should try giving it a push if i need to print more masks. not counting the retainer it takes me 7 hours for one mask
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