Getting a used, broken unit

[imsmooth]

I'm good with fixing things. I have a chance to get a m2 but its fans are broken and the collar that holds the drive motors is broken.

There may be other issues. If I can get this cheaply enough is it worth it?
Can I get all the parts I need in the parts section here?

Or have others had poor luck with getting abused units second hand

[jimc]

yeah definitely get it. those are all common parts to any 3d printer. fans are a dime a dozen and the other plastic parts can just be printed out or ordered from MG.

[jsc]

I'm not an expert on this, but I would think the important mechanical bits of the M2 are the frame (hard to abuse) and the z-screw (hard to abuse in situ). Electrically, the RAMBo board is the most expensive thing to replace, at about $100. The extruder motor gear should not be too worn. I think, other than that, you should be good to go.

[Toby]

I'm no expert either, but if the price was right I would jump at it with confidence that it could be put back together. This isn't based on any previous experience with building things (zero), but on using the M2 for 3 months and gradually learning how robust and simple it is. And also how great it would be to have two printers. If it were my first printer, then it would have to be a really good deal to tempt me personally.

I would just "kick the wheels" so to speak to check that all the axes move smoothly, and maybe make sure the bed is reasonably aligned with the nozzle. Obviously the more you know about it's current condition, the better you can estimate your costs. If he has a PC can you turn the M2 on, get connected and check the steppers and heaters?

Also in terms of cost if it's an older model (with two power supplies instead of one), you might want to figure in the cost of upgrading to a single 24v system. (Whatever that is- I couldn't find it on the Makergear web site).

[imsmooth]

This is what I'm thinking of getting today. Is there any way to tell if this is a gen1 or 2 version?

[imsmooth]

here is another picture. It looks like there are two power cords, which would make me think this is the older version.
Can I upgrade this to the newer M2 version?

[j-rod]

looks like it has a v3b hotend which would make it fairly new.

[Dale Reed]

Yeah, one of the cords I see there is the USB cable. Definitely the V3B hot end. Does it come with ONE power supply (with a MakerGear over-enclosure) or two bricks (one probably says "Dell")? Looks like the single 24-volt supply is there at the bottom left corner of the top photo, so this would be the newer 24-volt design. It looks fairly clean and new to me. I don't see any dirt (good) or grease (maybe not good) on the X and Y rails -- so, yes, make sure it moves smoothly. Spin the Z knob, or lift the platform by hand. Gravity should make it go back down, spinning the lead screw. The electronics enclosure looks like the newer design --- not the laser cut glossy acrylic that I have on my 4/2013 unit. I'd jump all over this one!

Dale

[sprior]

From the first photo is looks like the power supply is the one box 24V unit, so this printer would be no older than last Fall I'd think. My biggest fear would be that it had been dropped and maybe bent on the Y axis. From the photos it's hard to see what's abused about it - does it look dented?

[kosal850]

lol. i was about to purchase this myself.. looks like it sold for around $800 on ebay..
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-MakerGear-M ... true&rt=nc

could be good deal so long as the frame is not bent..and mechanicals are in good order..