Not to throw a wrench into your plans but check out Raise3D. Their N2 is a solid printer and should be in the same price range. We have been printing with their N2 Plus for a year now and have had an N2 as well for a few months.
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i got the Rep2 upgraded to 2x, the only thing to check is the heated bedplate that have some imperfections and x Axis cable that is very stressed, but lastest are build better.
Mine prints well with PLA and ABS too… even without raft!
Looks like folks are using this forum to solicit. Is this allowed?
I’m sure I could spend all day casting for customers if it becomes a competitive marketing venue. I presume this is not in the spirit of its use.
Only wondering:)
I know. It’s pretty tacky. It’s the reason I never ask questions here. You have 10 sales people jumping on you.
Don’t buy makerbot.
Prusia I3 Mk2? (I don’t have it)
Printrbot play treated me good.
But yeah, don’t go makerbot. I took mine apart to salvage parts, and was only disappointed in the build quality.
I Concur makerwiz.
Note that there is a new desktop to prepare prints on the new Replicator+ series; Makerbot Print. For the moment it is early in its versions; so the ability to create any substantial custom profiles is pretty limited to the typical defaults. But that will be coming as updates and will eventually be a great slicer in my opinion. It still does a good job as far as the defaults are concerned
The new desktop was created because, and again I’m no tech geek, the original slicer had reached the limit of its potential; as it was described in simple terms for me.
One really cool development is this new desktop will work with native files - Solid Works and stuff. Import and print. Great for folks like me.
As far as quality - I have no experience with Lulzbot - my Rep+ prints have been coming out with the quality I’ve come to expect. But that stuff is relative.
It’s hard even for me to find forums where you have at least a fair expectation of objective feedback.
Cheers
Makerbot has their new Tough PLA product. It’s got some characteristics similar to ABS. It does however require a separate version of the Smart Extruder+.
I’ve never used it but I’m hearing reports that it is meeting expectations.
Only in Gray at the moment:(
What was your experience with your Makerbot? Did you work the Rep 5; using the latest updates and the upgraded versions of the extruder (before the Smart Ex’s)?
Thanks,
a top level comparison:
https://www.productchart.com/3d\_printers/10766\_vs\_6799
I have a makerbot 5th gen and it sucks on larger builds. On top of that Makerbot owes me a filament that they refused to send me, even after proving purchase and emails, many many emails. I have three smart extruder heads (they seem fragile for this generation, might have improved since). Just a heads up, no heated bed will make a world of difference. I would suggest a Rostock (my new baby) and it’s day and night difference.
https://www.productchart.com/3d\_printers/9270\_vs\_6336
I haven’t heard much about Raise3d.
If I may interject as well, Zortrax offers a great little workhorse printer that provides great looking prints in the M200 for under $2k USD.
Thanks,
Tom
Hi Bradley, I’ll echo what Makerwiz said, which is exactly right - the Replicator+ will allow for an easy user experience and high reliability, with quick setup to printing. The Lulzbot allows for more tweaking and fine tuning, but will likely require tweaking and troubleshooting from print to print. The best choice for you would depend on your intended use and desired experience, etc. Best, -Matt
Do NOT get a makerbot, its overpriced for what it does. It can ONLY print pla. It has no heated bed, so PLA will possibly have warped corners also. The Lulzbot has a heated bed with PEI that can print PLA easily. It can also print a variety of other materials such as ABS, nylon, PETG, T-glase, all of which need a heated bed. You can also swap the extruder to print flexible materials.
Also with the Lulzbot everything is open source. SO if a part fails you can easily source it using their provided documentation. Makerbot you are stuck buying from them and hoping it is still supported. Lulzbot also builds all their printers here in the USA and not China.
And on software - just grab a license of Simplify3D. In my opinion, this makes printing on any machine a breeze and is worth the investment.
replicator 5. Before the smart extruder +. But many many issues. The extruder is not mounted to the XY axis well. The bed probe system is just a bad idea. The bed leveling system is bad (I am talking the screw knobs). The Z axis is janky. And that swappable extruder… I don’t even speak of that thing. No heated bed. No way to add a heated bed. No way to modify anything I had a gripe with.
Makerbot has put out some shoddy products in the last couple of years. The Lulzbot Taz 6 uses a 0.5 mm nozzle I believe. You loose some fine detail in printing with that nozzle but you can change it. I would recommend the Makergear M2. I have 2 of them and they have been relatively bulletproof. The quality of the print is amazing. The printer uses a 0.35 mm nozzle. I would opt for the stainless steel nozzles as they are far easier to keep clean and keep from clogging. On one of my printers I am using a 0.5 mm nozzle. Other than having to increase the printer temperature it prints fine with this nozzle. The support from Makergear has been first rate. I receive a response to questions or issues promptly.