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Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:10 am
by ihab
Hi folks,

I'm considering a 3D printer and found that you do not recommend your refurbished models for people new to 3D printing:

https://www.makergear.com/products/ligh ... 1946342660

I have never done 3D printing but I'm a mechanical engineer and programmer with a fair amount of machine shop and electronics experience. Is there are a reason this choice would still not be right for me?

Kind regards,

Ihab Awad

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:23 pm
by insta
My guess is mostly around the shorter warranty. If you know the difference between torx and allen fasteners, you're competent enough to replace hardware on the M2 given enough time.

One of my machines is a used, refurbished machine from MakerGear. It was one of their production machines making the printed motor mounts and other little giblets. It looked brand new when I got it -- so, they take it pretty seriously.


edit: that said, go for one of the used machines on the board here. There's several that are a phenominal price for what you get.

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 6:29 pm
by ihab
Thank you insta! Great, I don't mind tinkering a bit to save some money.

So another question -- what's the general record for people making "mechanical"-ish stuff on 3D printers similar to the M2? Let's take my current need. I have a little airflow probe (it weighs all of 1 pound) that I need to mount on something that allows me to adjust it in azimuth and elevation. It doesn't need to be fancy; just something that has (say) 5 or 10 degree steps marked in, and I can loosen a screw, set it to the right position, and tighten again.

What is people's record in making this 3D printed and getting reasonable freedom of motion?

Ihab

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 9:18 pm
by insta
I don't know why people think properly-printed parts are weak. This is standard-fare eSUN PA:

https://youtu.be/y3uNXrjRKMw

Design your model with 0.3mm clearance and you'll have loose fitting parts.

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:20 pm
by ihab
Cool thanks! -- Ihab

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 10:31 pm
by ednisley
ihab wrote:getting reasonable freedom of motion
You could try a ball joint:
https://softsolder.com/2017/08/11/tour- ... all-mount/

Image

Or you can do a real az-el mount:
https://softsolder.com/2015/08/11/helme ... rew-slide/

Image

That's a tiddly thing holding an inspection mirror on my bike helmet. Scaling it up for a one-pound probe would be ... imposing.
making "mechanical"-ish stuff on 3D printers
By and large, that's all my M2 ever does ... [grin]

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 1:29 am
by ihab
Cool thank you! I guess, also, if I need more smooth motion, I could plan to include press fit Nylon bushings and washers in one half of the part, and arrange for an un-threaded bolt press fit through the other part, creating a metal-on-manufactured-nylon pivot. This would still get the basic shape created using 3D printing, rather than trying to carve it all out from hunks of metal.

Ihab

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 2:55 pm
by willnewton
Don’t overhink it! Just use the bolt with a slightly snug hole and run it through and give it a few extra turns and it will self ream the hole to a perfect fit.

I too, make mechanical stuff with my printer. You should go over to thingiverse and look at the Tools category. Simply amazing work being done there. Check out this vise! https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2585644

Absolutely feel confident in a refurb from MG, better yet, build the kit. You will really enjoy the process and learn about the printer.

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 3:29 pm
by ednisley
ihab wrote:the basic shape created using 3D printing
Absolutely!

Use brass inserts where you need good threads (or small threads), build things in E-Z print chunks with minimal support, and slather the surface with epoxy + paint for better appearance. Consumer-grade 3D printing isn't a miracle, but it's close enough for me.

Re: Refurbished not recommended for new users?

Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:24 pm
by insta
Again, I'm not any kind of authority here, but honestly look at these two machines for an M2:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=5858

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=6045