1

Hi there. My father and i are looking at getting a 3d printer. My friend got the monoprice mini printer and told me good things about monoprice. After some googling it seems to be excellent for hobby and 3d printer noobs. My dad are looking at the maker select v2 or maybe the select plus. Im curious as my friend did some mods right away to benefit the printer, id like to know from the forum what things ill need to do if i get say the maker select v2. I know to get cura 1.5 but is there any extra screws i should add to the printer to make it structurally better to any firmware hacks or downloads to printing things to make the printer better. Any help is appreciated :slight_smile:

2

I’d recommend sticking with the Monoprice Mini until you get the hang of 3D printing. It’s a lot more user

friendly than the others, plus you and your friend can exchange tips, parts, and commiseration over

failed prints.

Check out the Facebook group for the Mini - lots of good tips - and more than a few users who

have gone on to buy the select V2.

3

Ok, good to know, just like the bigger plate size. He’s having issues printing ABS and I found some info for him as the first layer or two eventually warp up as the bed isn’t as hot. I see the specs say the hottest is goes is 60C but we got his to 70C but ABS needs around 85C. I saw a video this guys mini took 15 mins to reach that. Could you also cover the printer in a box or say use a hair dryer to assist the bed to reach 85C? Just curious. I appreciate your input and was starting to thing the maker select v2 might not be good for a starter as you need to reinforce it’s Z axis by making those pillar like printers and long bolts so it’s stiffer…

4

ABS can be difficult with the stock mini. Enclosing it (a number of people use an Ikea

Lack table as a framework) and swapping in a beefier power supply seems to help - also adding a layer of cork to the print bed to help hold the heat. Again, the FB group has quite a few people doing this.

5

Ok I joined the mp mini user group over 8k members *must be the one lol*. Just waiting on approval. So I called my pops and I just ordered the mini select and a roll of white pla filament. I really appreciate the input. Can’t wait to mod and print stuff!

6

You’re going to have a blast! By the way, white filament is great for lithophanes. :slight_smile:

Buying a 3D printer is a lot like buying an auto back in 1913. You have to do the repairs yourself, and there can be some frustration and jury-rigging, but when it’s running sweet…

Watch out for the little spring clips that hold the fan shroud to the hot end. They tend to fly off

when trying to remove them or put them back on. In a pinch, bent paperclips, plastic ties, or chewing gum (kidding) will hold them until you print replacement clips.

Suggestions for first mods… glass plate (3/32" thick, from Lowes, etc) and replacing the 30mm fan with a 40mm.

Have fun!

7

Haha, right on and thanks! I’m in Canada but I’m sure I can find the glass. I also found many “things to do” from some guy off youtube, he has 9 videos of things to do! But I look forward to doing mods. Just hope it doesn’t void warranty. Can’t wait to tinker, I also build Gundam models and my dad likes to dress up decor boxes. This will be awesome for that!

8

The 40mm fan upgrade is that for the extruder?

9

Yes, but that part is called the hot end, while the extruder is the filament-pushing

motor and gearing at the top of the tower. The tube connecting them is called

a Bowden tube. Many 3D printers have the extruder directly connected to the

hot end, eliminating the Bowden tube and the drag it can cause, but at the

expense of much more weight for the x-axis to carry.

Within the hot end you have a heat block, currently wrapped in insulating

batting and heat resistant tape. That will eventually wear away. It’s not necessary

for PLA. It’s also cheap to replace if you want to.

The nozzle screws into the bottom of the heat block and the heat break

screws into the top. The heat break is lined with PTFE and you should

pick up some spares (under $10 for a handful) as they are like tires on

a Model T, they are going to get clogged and the liner will melt. No big

deal, as long as you have a spare. (I didn’t, but Amazon delivered three

days later.)

Didn’t mean to run on!

10

No no, run on all you can, i appreciate the advise :smiley:

11

Can you link me the part that clogs and liner that melts?

12

Nevermind I found the part, it’s what the nozzle screws into :smiley:

13

Signswise 5PCS Barrel M6 X 30 Teflon Nozzle Throat for MK8 Tube Makerbot 3D Printer Extruder Hot End
Signswise
Link: http://a.co/enZ7Qzj

BIQU 3D-M6 0.4mm Brass Extruder Nozzle Print Head for 1.75mm Filament 3D Printer (Pack of 5pcs)
BIQU
Link: http://a.co/6uhaTEq

At some point the plastic arm or the base of the extruder will crack. You can print replacements or buy this all-metal replacement.

Anycubic All Metal Right Hand MK8 Extruder Aluminum Frame Block DIY Kit for Reprap i3 3D Printer
Anycubic
Link: Amazon.com

If you plan to use a Raspberry Pi running Octopi to control the printer, buy this cable. I spent several months chasing down problems until I did.

Rampow Micro USB Cable - 6.5ft
Link: Amazon.com

The next two items are a good way to team up with your friend as they come in bags of a hundred! These are the little square nuts and grub screws that hold the heat break in place. My biggest fear when working on the hot end was losing one of those guys.

100pcs 304 Stainless Steel Square Nuts M3
by DD-life
Link: Amazon.com

and

M3x5mm 12.9 Alloy Steel Hex Socket Set Cap Point Grub Screws 100pcs
by uxcell
Link: http://a.co/88xEdvI

This is a great fan, but twice as much as others. It’s super quiet (I finally got one.)

Noctua A-Series Cooling Fan Blades with AAO Frame, SSO2 Bearing (NF-A4x10 FLX)
by noctua
Link: http://a.co/jg307qT

These are much noisier, but work fine. You can also find fans like this on eBay for

half what Amazon charges. Look for 12v 40mm x 10mm fans. (I keep a couple as

spares.)

2packs 40mm x 40mm x 10mm 4010 12V 0.15A Brushless DC Cooling Fan 2pin AB4010M12 UL TUV
by Security-01
Link: Amazon.com

This is the tape that holds the insulating batting onto the hot end. I bought some replacement batting on eBay, but have yet to use it.

BCP Kapton Polyimide High Temp Tape with Silicone Adhesive 1/2" (12mm) x 36yds
by BCP
Link: http://a.co/dh0SRPx

Finally, there are people on the FB group who are wizards at this.

14

There are several upgrades for it.

1. print a upgraded spool holder. The one comes with is to short for 1k spools.

Maker Select V2 Spool Holder Mod by toastedsilicon - Thingiverse I use this though I messup my print didn’t go the hole and hotglued it to the back.

Remixed Maker Select V2 Spool Holder Mod with Bearings by gammagec - Thingiverse looks improved version

Go thingiverse type in monoprice, Wanhao Di3, Maker select. see your self what you can print improve it.