New 10" i3v. What else do I need to get started?

Hi there,

Just placed an order for my first printer, a Prusa 10" i3v Kit. I'm having it shipped to a friends place in the US, where I'll pick it up and bring it to Brazil next month.

I need your help choosing and ordering the "extras" needed for the next few months. Ordering/shipping directly to Brazil is extremely slow and costly (taxes), so I need to bring as much as possible with me on this trip.

In my makerfarm order I've already included a pair of "5mm to 5mm Z Coupler", two rolls of PLA and two of ABS. Surprisingly the power supply is easy to find and cheap here, so I didn't order that.

From clough42 posts I figure I want to add the vibration dampening Sorbothane feet and techflex wire sleeves, both of which I'm getting from Amazon. (all that stuff is hard to come by here)

What else should I be looking at to get started? Am I missing anything?

Besides watching all the how to videos and reading this (and other) forums to exhaustion, how do I cope with the waiting? :)

Thanks in advance!

Renfro

Not something to order, but you could download slic3r .99 and maybe Cura if interested, print run (pronterface) to get more familiar with them.

Congrats Renfro and welcome! That wait is a hard one for sure! I think you've got the right ideas!

I would also suggest grabbing some glass in advance for your heat bed. Grab some cork tiles or sheeting as a under heat bed insulator. FILAMENT! Small zipties. 3 in 1 machine oil for the threaded rods. Digital calipers, the cheap amazon ones are just fine. Hairspray if you're going with the glass and hairspray method. A good set of metric allen wrenches.

Also, make a thingiverse profile and start snatching up a bunch of makerfarm printer improvements/yoda heads you want to print!

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Originally Posted by usarmyaircav

Not something to order, but you could download slic3r .99 and maybe Cura if interested, print run (pronterface) to get more familiar with them.

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Thanks for the heads up! Software downloaded, work has come to a halt :)

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Originally Posted by gmay3

Congrats Renfro and welcome! That wait is a hard one for sure! I think you've got the right ideas!

I would also suggest grabbing some glass in advance for your heat bed. Grab some cork tiles or sheeting as a under heat bed insulator. FILAMENT! Small zipties. 3 in 1 machine oil for the threaded rods. Digital calipers, the cheap amazon ones are just fine. Hairspray if you're going with the glass and hairspray method. A good set of metric allen wrenches.

Also, make a thingiverse profile and start snatching up a bunch of makerfarm printer improvements/yoda heads you want to print!

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I'll try to survive the wait by reading up this forum and learning as much as possible.

In the meantime here's my ongoing check list:

- Glass will be ordered from local store.
- Cork tiles gathered from wife's photo panel.
- Filament already ordered w/ printer.
- Zip ties, machine oil, allen wrenches and digital caliper secured from my mountain bike tools (I do my own maintenance)
- Thingiverse profile created! Downloading printer mods...

Thanks for the tips!

Might want to consider future upgrades too. Perhaps one of Clough42's IttyBItty Dual Extruder parts, a spare hexagon or e3d hot end if you want to do dual extrusion down the road.

Spare parts done hurt either :)

I did order the kit with .40mm Hexagon Nozzle for 1.75mm with an eventual dual extrusion setup in mind. Getting a second hotend is something I'm still thinking about...

Which spare parts (besides the printable ones) would need to be replaced first? And how much use should I expect before replacing it?

Should I get a spare or different sized nozzle?

I always order a few extra stepper drivers for the RAMPS board, as I have a habit of doing something stupid and frying them. If you're still thinking about dual extrusion, consider this kit as well: http://www.makerfarm.com/index.php/p...-extender.html and if you can't get metric hardware locally in your home town, then I'd suggest grabbing some while you're abroad. It's not a must have, but its nice to have stock in case you need them down the road. Maybe some Kapton tape as well (the wider, the better) or even some BuildTak sheets too http://www.buildtak.com

Thanks @MiniMadRyan!

Metric tools are the standard here, so no problems there. As for dual extrusion, I'll leave that for later, after I get some experience with this machine.

I can see the need for spare stepper drivers. Should I order it from makerfarm or will any A4988 from Amazon/Ebay do ?

BuildTak also seems like a good idea, does it work for ABS and PLA? Does it last? Should I order more than one?

Sorry for all the questions guys, just trying to get up to speed on this new world (to me).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Renfro

I'll try to survive the wait by reading up this forum and learning as much as possible.

In the meantime here's my ongoing check list:

- Glass will be ordered from local store.
- Cork tiles gathered from wife's photo panel.
- Filament already ordered w/ printer.
- Zip ties, machine oil, allen wrenches and digital caliper secured from my mountain bike tools (I do my own maintenance)
- Thingiverse profile created! Downloading printer mods...

Thanks for the tips!

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Good stuff! You're welcome!

Here's a repost of one of mine for N5QM who asked what printer mods are good to collect and get started with.

Repost below:
To respond to your question about mods to print, here are some I use and would reccomend. I've bolded ones that you should print and use right off the bat and are easy prints, and other unbolded ones that you can (in my opinion) grow in to ;)

1. clough42 - LCD Spacer, Sorbothane Isolation Feet, Print Cooling Fan, Adjustable Z endstop, Improved Hexagon Cooling
2. zen1 - Pushfit Belt Guide (print one for the x and the y)
3. swiddie - One Tool Belt Adjustment Bracket
4. schlotzz - RAMPS 40mm fan mount
5. benlew - i3v Control Knob
6. neonpolaris - Spool Mount Smoother
7. gmay3 - (shameless plug) Snap on LED Tray, Rear mounted spool holder (upgrade after using the stock makerfarm holder + neonpolaris spool smoother)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gmay3

Good stuff! You're welcome!

Here's a repost of one of mine for N5QM who asked what printer mods are good to collect and get started with.

Repost below:
To respond to your question about mods to print, here are some I use and would reccomend. I've bolded ones that you should print and use right off the bat and are easy prints, and other unbolded ones that you can (in my opinion) grow in to ;)

1. clough42 - LCD Spacer, Sorbothane Isolation Feet, Print Cooling Fan, Adjustable Z endstop, Improved Hexagon Cooling
2. zen1 - Pushfit Belt Guide (print one for the x and the y)
3. swiddie - One Tool Belt Adjustment Bracket
4. schlotzz - RAMPS 40mm fan mount
5. benlew - i3v Control Knob
6. neonpolaris - Spool Mount Smoother
7. gmay3 - (shameless plug) Snap on LED Tray, Rear mounted spool holder (upgrade after using the stock makerfarm holder + neonpolaris spool smoother)

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Thanks @gmay3!

I've collected your suggestions plus some other initial prints gathered from other topics here.

One thing I was't able to find is the extruder gear set. It seems everyone agrees that having a spare printed set is a must. Right?

BTW as per @MiniMadRyan tip, the order for a 10x10 BuildTak sheet has been placed.

Here is my current collection of things to make thus far:

https://www.thingiverse.com/Renfro/c...things-to-make

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Renfro

Thanks @gmay3!
One thing I was't able to find is the extruder gear set. It seems everyone agrees that having a spare printed set is a must. Right?

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http://www.thingiverse.com/groups/ma...-i3v/topic:310

See these comments, and while you're there join the Makerfarm group on thingiverse ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gmay3

http://www.thingiverse.com/groups/ma...-i3v/topic:310

See these comments, and while you're there join the Makerfarm group on thingiverse ;)

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Cool thanks again! Added that to my "to print" list.

What do you guys think about sourcing spare stepper drivers? Can I buy some generic A4988 or should I stick with Maker Farm ?

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Originally Posted by Renfro

Cool thanks again! Added that to my "to print" list.

What do you guys think about sourcing spare stepper drivers? Can I buy some generic A4988 or should I stick with Maker Farm ?

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Not that i would be the best to make this call. I have 3 -3d printers and multiple other items that use the same motor drivers. I have never blown one. Though i know how to handle electronics and understand more power is not always better. I have added heat sync and fans in the past on ones that needed it.

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Originally Posted by bstag

Not that i would be the best to make this call. I have 3 -3d printers and multiple other items that use the same motor drivers. I have never blown one. Though i know how to handle electronics and understand more power is not always better. I have added heat sync and fans in the past on ones that needed it.

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With 3 running printers you are 300% currently more qualified than I am to make this call :)

Found some generic A4988 in the local market, for almost the same price as chinese and american suppliers. So it's one less thing to worry about.

Funny how I feel this will turn into a rabbit hole. The printer has yet to be shipped and I'm already looking at OctoPi...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Renfro

With 3 running printers you are 300% currently more qualified than I am to make this call :)

Found some generic A4988 in the local market, for almost the same price as chinese and american suppliers. So it's one less thing to worry about.

Funny how I feel this will turn into a rabbit hole. The printer has yet to be shipped and I'm already looking at OctoPi...

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You will find Alice and sit on a mushroom together before its all over that is for sure. As long as you don't pick up the "drink me" potion you should be alright.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bstag

You will find Alice and sit on a mushroom together before its all over that is for sure. As long as you don't pick up the "drink me" potion you should be alright.

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but but but... it said drink me... i'm in trouble :-P

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Originally Posted by sniffle

but but but... it said drink me... i'm in trouble :-P

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For you we have a 12 step program. It involves a cnc router, and a large table saw. Hopefully you signed a prenup.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bstag

For you we have a 12 step program. It involves a cnc router, and a large table saw. Hopefully you signed a prenup.

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no need for a prenup when you both have nothing but debt :-P

and yes... i see a CNC router in my future.. eventually :-D