About

This page was started with the intention of helping other beginners learn from my own journey down the 3D printing path.  I intend to post recaps about each session I spend building the 3D printer that I’ve purchased.  I barely care if anyone reads this blog, as I am really interested to look back on this build once I have completed it to see how much I’ve learned.

My background is management and engineering.  I possess undergraduate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Drafting/Design, as well as an MBA.  I am also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

5 thoughts on “About”

  1. Hello — I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to document and publish your experience with this printer. I just ordered a similar printer, from HIC, and am a bit nervous about assembly. I think your experiences here may come in handy for my own build.

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  2. Hello there, I would also like to thank you for this very informative report – the excellent photographs are appreciated. I saw this model printer advertised on Ebay and found your comments on Amazon together with the link to your blog. I’m still undecided on a purchase, but this printer is now definitely on the list of possibles. My main considerations are availability of spare parts and the reliability of the electronics. I suppose at the end of the day the controller & motor drivers could be replaced completely by one of the other reprap designs.
    Thanks again.

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    1. Yes, for sure. There are even a variety of hacks for this printer alone that I haven’t even undertaken beyond research.

      For spare parts, I get your concern. I guess if you go away from OEM materials and purchase something on the open market, you will need to mod the firmware – something that I’ve heard that they will send to you upon request.

      I don’t think you can rely on these guys for technical support, but they seem fairly reliable in sending spare and replacement parts. They come from Asia, so there’s probably at least one week of downtime while waiting for the shipment to arrive.

      Motors concern me a bit, but they seem to be holding up quite well. Further, I think their claim of 90% success rate in printing is pretty accurate. I’ve only had one failed print to date.

      Hope you select the printer you want.

      FYI – the other printer I had narrowed the selection to (XYZ) was on sale at Barnes and Noble last week for $250. May be something to consider.

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