Great responses everyone, I’m in agreement with all of it so far. If anyone needs more local support and are in the east coast US, my shop is in Kentucky and can assist in getting started regardless of the FDM you choose. I know Tulsa isn’t exactly close wirlybird but we’re here if you need anything. There’s no price difference when buying from a reseller so if you want to support us, here’s my site: www.artlab3dprinting.com 12 You seem pretty familiar with the tech already wirlybird but local makerspaces are also great resources for getting started.
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This is a fantastic machine - Much more of a production fdm machine that is very reliable. Also - the company has phenomenal support. Furthermore, compare warranties.
Thanks for the input so far. Here are some observations/concerns/questions I have. P.S. I am also looking at the Flashforge Guider 2 and Ultimaker is out due to Bowden and 3mm filament.
My goal on a purchase is a larger format, enclosed printer that is not going to be a problem child, it is going to be working and needs to go from print to print without much or any fuss or fiddling!
I mainly print PLA, PETG and ABS but do need the high temp abilities on the extruder. The Guider 2 is looking like a solid machine of similar size but for a grand less than the N2.
Ok, question time!
The bed:
Bed leveling seems to be an issue when you get to larger prints. A common thread is that it is ok for “normal” prints in the middle but as you get to larger prints it is not so good and needs adjusting which appears to be a pain. This printer seems to be a perfect candidate for auto leveling similar to what the Prusa MK2 uses.
Also, I assume the buildtac can be replaced with a PEI sheet? I am not a fan of buildtac.
The extruders:
First word on the extruders seems to be “replace them”. Disappointing on a $3k machine! Maybe they are not so bad?
It also seems the gantry is heavy and not well supported with the single rod setup. Very likely contributing to ringing!
Fans:
It seems that the part cooling fan is also the extruder cooling fan and is on all the time. This is an issue for sure. I guess you can put a parts cooling fan on another port on the board and gain full, variable speed control - yes, no?! A controllable, variable speed parts fan is a big plus.
Have to use Ideamaker for some features such as load gcode over WIFI? I use S3D.
I read that the filament bay is tight and some have found their spools won’t fit.
Not trying to beat up this printer but I am ready to buy and have it down to 2-3 and need to make a choice.
I run six different printers and have built a couple so tinkering is not a big deal but I don’t want to have to tune it constantly!!
I read that if you buy through a re-seller then you must go to them for support and if parts are needed you go through the re-seller adding additional wait time. Maybe not a big deal but sometimes this can leave the user with little to no support.
Thanks again and I am sure more questions to come.
1. Leveling is not a big problem, good is good. Only the hight calibration when switching to different temperatures.
2. PEI is fantastic. I have one on all my machines except the Zortrax.
3. Yes, the extruder is unacceptable for the price of the machine. The weight is the biggest issue in my opinion. Remove one motor/hotend and it’s much lighter.
4. Fans…I added an extra fan for the model cooling. I hope they come with an update to make the adjustable an make it possible to switch them of.
5. I don’t use WIFI. The USB stick works very easy with S3D but you wouldnt have the fancy picture of the model during printing.
6. Most of my spools fit and i have a Polymaker Polybox drybox for big spools.
7. I never tinker my Raise. Removed one extruder, added a fan(duct) and placed a PEI sheet. After that it’s plug and play.
8. Some resellers are fast some are not…
To answer some of your questions wirlybird:
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“Bed leveling seems to be an issue when you get to larger prints. A common thread is that it is ok for “normal” prints in the middle but as you get to larger prints it is not so good and needs adjusting which appears to be a pain. This printer seems to be a perfect candidate for auto leveling similar to what the Prusa MK2 uses.”
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It’s actually dependent on the bed material, not so much the actual bed level. The bed arrives (in my opinion) extremely level and works on day 1 without issue. The bed glass is very uniform but nothing is absolutely perfect so its often recommended the raft function be used. I used to hate rafts but now I found them to be the best security on larger prints. They remove extremely easily too. I made a life size Lincoln death mask and at 0:44 you can see me remove it with ease: - YouTube
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_"_Also, I assume the buildtac can be replaced with a PEI sheet? I am not a fan of buildtac."
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Yup.
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“It seems that the part cooling fan is also the extruder cooling fan and is on all the time. This is an issue for sure. I guess you can put a parts cooling fan on another port on the board and gain full, variable speed control - yes, no?! A controllable, variable speed parts fan is a big plus.”
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This is a bit of a misconception. The single extruder version adds a large adjustable fan but the dual extruder version instead relies solely on fan covers to adjust the amount of air on the print. It works but would like to see this tweaked in a later version.
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_"_First word on the extruders seems to be “replace them”. Disappointing on a $3k machine! Maybe they are not so bad?
It also seems the gantry is heavy and not well supported with the single rod setup. Very likely contributing to ringing!"
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I personally would attribute it more to this being a well-budgeted 3D printer. The carriage is heavy as is but that’s only true on the dual extruder version. Even the bondtech dual mod for this puts the secondary extruder as a bowden, which is a neat compromise but not ideal for everyone. You really don’t need a dual extruder if your goal is big prints done fast. The Bondtech recommendation is just so you can get the most out of such a large printer. The stock .4mm nozzles are high quality but we’re talking about beefing the machine up even beyond the quality it comes in, not necessarily that it’s strictly a negative. Hope that makes sense.
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"Not trying to beat up this printer but I am ready to buy and have it down to 2-3 and need to make a choice.
I run six different printers and have built a couple so tinkering is not a big deal but I don’t want to have to tune it constantly!!"
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I also run a print service, five Raise3D N2/N2+s and various kits like a delta, bukobot, etc. These are easily the most reliable machines I have, the tinkering is almost entirely optional aside from user error.
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_"_I read that if you buy through a re-seller then you must go to them for support and if parts are needed you go through the re-seller adding additional wait time. Maybe not a big deal but sometimes this can leave the user with little to no support."
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This I can answer! The person who you buy from does call in your warranty if needed or otherwise provides casual support. You can order replacement parts on whatever website you choose, it’s the same price regardless but I’ve never heard of a client being turned away with a legitimate warranty dispute.
Hope that helps!
I am not convinced the extra grand for this printer is worth it when I compare to the Flashforge Guider 2 with a very similar build size (280 X 250 X 300). I do appreciate the input about it though.
I would be curious on the touchpad issue if you “ground” yourself by touching the frame before touching it, does it make a difference. If you have built up a bit of a “charge” it can interfere with using this type of pad.
You do you man, no worries on my part. I personally I’m not a huge fan of flashforge as their machines are so freakin’ loud. Had two different models in my shop for repairs and they were both noticeable louder than all my other machines beside an old Delta. Made it tough to talk to customers when they were running. As a print service, I’m a bit surprised you’re not trying to maximize your build volume. Big prints are where the money is at right now, atleast on a corporate business scale.
11 months later
This machine is for me a real disaster for a price of 3.5K €.
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A student in industrial design would do a lot better. The technical choices are extremely bad
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Hardware, electronics, USB extension Unitek (I do not know if this is allowed) is of a very poor quality
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The leveling of the bed is unstable according to the temperature
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Extruders are bad and too heavy. The XY axes flex under their weight and prevent a constant extruder / bed play adjustment over the entire surface of the
plateau (up to 0.1-0.2mm). Except improvement (resellers included) can not make a good adjustment of this printer. -
The cable-holder chain used anyhow also weighs on the extruders
I only had problems with this printer, and it can not even serve as an aquarium.
In fact, it is a prototype produced in series that Raise3D offers without shame. According to them, transportation is the cause of many worries, it is the only absurd excuse they have found.
In France, some of us will probably go to court to get a refund.