Expresso wrote:Like the title says, ideally, I would like my first experience with the printer to be a complete “plug and play” type of experience and keep it that way for an extended period of time (like months) before I need to get my hands dirty configuring things around.
That said, I was wondering if you guys could help me with the following questions:
[*]What filament type is the best to achieve this type of experience (ABS, PLA, etc)?
Most folks start with PLA. If you do decide to switch to something like ABS, you need to use a cleaning filament to clean out your nozzle to keep clogs from happening. As long as you stick to one kind of filament though, you can start with anything you want, just make sure you clean the nozzle before switching to a different kind. Each one has different characteristics that it likes for printing, so it's a new learning curve every time you switch filaments.
[*]Should I buy the filaments from MakerGear given that those filaments are probably optimized for the M2 printer or are there better filaments out there?
Not a bad idea, at least at first. (Stick with the MG filaments.)
[*]Does filament color matter? I read that different colors have different properties and since I don’t really care about color at this time I would like to stick with the one that it is easier to work with….. although I may also want to use the transparent color in some cases but I won’t if it means it can cause problems.
White filament can be problematic. (Something to do with the additives in it to make it opaque I think. Black or any other color is usually pretty easy to print.)
[*]Is buying the “Simplify 3D” software a must to achieve the best experience? I am not completely sure of all the things that the software does.
I
highly recommend it for a beginner. You can do it with the free software alternatives, but it's a lot easier with S3D.
[*]Does MakerGear provide optimal out-of-the-box printer settings for the different filament types they sell? I would prefer not to have to figure out optimal settings myself with a brand new printer.
For the most part, yes. You can always tweak a few things to get a slightly better print though, and you need to get used to the idea of tweaking, because it's not an exact science. Things like humidity and room temperature can have an impact on a print.
[*]Do you guys have any tips and tricks that would help me keep the printer happy for as long as possible without having to mess around with software configurations, printer setups or maintenance?
Lots of them. Read the Beginner's Guide.
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[*]On a different topic. How many spools would you recommend to buy to start out with? I realize that there is no right or wrong answer given that the answer depends on a lot of factors but I have absolutely no idea how much you can get out of those spools so any little hint will really help me.
You'll run through the free spool learning. Get at least one more. Long term storage of lots of spools of filament can be a problem, because a lot of them are hydrophyllic. (You have to keep the humidity and damp away from them or it ruins the plastic and makes it brittle over time.)