FlashForge Creator Pro 3D - any reason NOT to buy one?

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11-06-2015, 12:35 PM
Ward

FlashForge Creator Pro 3D - any reason NOT to buy one?

Hello,
I've all but decided to buy a FlashForge Creator Pro 3D printer but wanted to bounce it here just for any last bits of enlightenment I might get.

I plan to use it to make small parts mainly for hobby but also I will offer some replicas for sale.
I am an experienced CAD designer and already work with TurboCAD Professional and I'm familiar with NetFabb and a few other similar.

The size limitations are fine for my applications.

Is there anything I don't know about this particular printer that I should before purchasing this one?

Thanks
11-06-2015, 02:53 PM
ssayer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

Is there anything I don't know about this particular printer that I should before purchasing this one?

Thanks

Depending on where you reside, just that the clones are cheaper... :p
11-06-2015, 03:53 PM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssayer

Depending on where you reside, just that the clones are cheaper... :p

I'm in Florida.
I wasn't even aware there is a clone of the FlashForge Creator Pro ?

Wouldn't that be risky?
11-06-2015, 08:51 PM
ssayer

You are aware that the FlashForge Creator Pro is A Makerbot Replicator clone, correct? Does that make the FF risky? :p Anyway, MicroCenter has a good clone as does MonoPrice. There are more, you just need to look. I own the MicroCenter version, but wouldn't hesitate on the MonoPrice if I didn't own the one I got...
11-06-2015, 09:28 PM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssayer

You are aware that the FlashForge Creator Pro is A Makerbot Replicator clone, correct? Does that make the FF risky? :p Anyway, MicroCenter has a good clone as does MonoPrice. There are more, you just need to look. I own the MicroCenter version, but wouldn't hesitate on the MonoPrice if I didn't own the one I got...

lol
I bought my very first 386 based PC from MicroCenter back around 1986.....the 486 hadn't been released yet.
I "think" I remember the 286 at MicroCenter but not sure about that.
MAN....those were fun times!

As far as the 3D printer clones....I'm so confused now that I decided I better wait to purchase one. <head spins, Linda Blair style>
11-07-2015, 07:10 AM
ssayer

Here's a link, check it out. Check the price out...

http://www.monoprice.com/product?c_i...seq=1&format=2

With just some of the savings you get from buying this clone, do yourself a favor and buy Simplify3D and a few spools of PETG. :p
11-08-2015, 05:34 AM
curious aardvark

other than build volume - nope no reason whatsoever not to buy one.
And to be fair - I've yet to need a larger build volume after 18 months of printing and designing stuff.

And from forum reviews the clones are just as good. Plus if you can buy it from an actual physocal shop - then it's much easier if something does go wrong :-)
11-10-2015, 01:16 PM
dunginhawk

Now hear me out... you are going to think im cray cray but I just bought one of these to screw around with, half expecting to return it, or throw it in the garbage because it sucked.... much to my surprise it doesnt suck... in fact it rocks
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-CTC-Rive...UAAOSw14xWO2g2

I hate supporting chinese knockoff artists, but for $880 vs $3000 + thats an easy choice. My first prints have been amazing. Ive had minor issues (mostly fixable myself). It may not have been new haha, but for $880 i may not care.
Support is non existent.

It has a fairly decent build size for what i think you would need, and the level of detail is insane.
I own a Flashforge, a Makerfarm, a Lulzbot, and now this little dude. Previously my Flashforge held the title of best quality print. This just smoked it.

This print is only 4 inches tall... detail. unreal... I know people that have tried to get an Eiffel print for months on resin only to fail, and may never get it to work on FDM (flashforge etc). First try. 2 hours after i received the printer.
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/...psqptmsd6h.jpg
11-11-2015, 12:49 PM
Ward

I've changed my focus to the MonoPrice.

Seems to have good reviews and is almost HALF the cost.
11-12-2015, 07:32 PM
djprinter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

I've changed my focus to the MonoPrice.

Seems to have good reviews and is almost HALF the cost.

It's tempting but I would stick with FF, they're already established and have a huge user base. MonoPrice seems to be selling the same thing at cost, but who knows how long they'll be around with that business model.
11-13-2015, 05:23 AM
Sebastian Finke

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssayer

Depending on where you reside, just that the clones are cheaper... :p

This. Apart from the price Flashforge are awesome printers!
11-13-2015, 06:20 AM
curious aardvark

Does it matter how long the company is going to be around ?
The machine is the same, the parts are the same, the massive knowlege base is the same.
AT this price level you're not going to get support anyway. And in the states most warranties are only for 30-90 days.
12 month minimum in the uk and 3 years in europe. (no we are NOT a europaen country lol)

I'd buy the cheaper one :-)
11-13-2015, 07:42 AM
ssayer

For sure, the parts are the same and the knowledge base is the same. I follow threads on FF, Wanhao, etc., just because they're all the same. I've got the MicroCenter clone, but I've bought parts for it from Monoprice. The reason I bought the parts from Monoprice? They cost me about a third of what FFUSA charges. Pretty simple, eh? ;)
11-13-2015, 03:52 PM
dunginhawk

FFCP support if you buy through amazon hooks you up with a guy, cant remember his name. Hes been awesome.. I borked one of my nozzles, he sent a new one. Sent a new fan or some other part i needed.. hes been fantastic. Other than that, no support needed.
If i bought another one, id buy the monoprice. Support from the community is 10x better than you will get from a manufacturer, at this price
11-15-2015, 07:01 PM
Bobby Lin

Personally I don't have a problem with FF Creator Pro. It produces a good quality of prints and reliable speed.
11-15-2015, 08:21 PM
Ward

Well,
I bought the Monoprice.
For better or for worse.

As far as I can tell it IS a FlashForge Creator Pro, with a different name. I read somewhere that they both come from the same manufacturer.
I think the only difference is the Monoprice doesn't have the purple LED light inside.
Other than that, I think they are the same part for part.

I'll report back after I get over the dreaded learning curve hump of learning how to use it and give a review of my experience with it.

I just hope the darn thing can reliably print the designs I've made with reasonable quality.
11-16-2015, 05:59 AM
curious aardvark

yes it can - depending on your designs :-)

ie: if you designed them for manufacture with a 3d printer you should be fine.
If you just designed them without that in mind , you'll probably have a lot of redesigning to do :-)
11-16-2015, 07:11 AM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by curious aardvark

yes it can - depending on your designs :-)
ie: if you designed them for manufacture with a 3d printer you should be fine.
If you just designed them without that in mind , you'll probably have a lot of redesigning to do :-)

Uh-oh....is this the "3D printer reality check" noone told me about BEFORE purchasing ?
I thought that if I could design it and get it all repaired through a program like NetFabb...and generate the GCode....it would print?

What do I have to "have in mind" when designing for a 3D printer specifically?
11-16-2015, 08:50 AM
ssayer

Lots of things. Besides the bed leveling, the clean build plate, the right plate and extruder temps, you have to make sure that your designs are printable without tons of support and rafts and whatever else. Depending on what type of filament you're using, you might need to mod your printer with a cooling fan, or properly enclose your printer if you're using (dare I say it?) ABS. :p The 3D printer reality check is really just - experience (time and testing).
11-16-2015, 12:14 PM
Bassna

I personally have a Flashforge Creator pro and a CTC 3d pro. I bought the Creator pro about a year ago, and the CTC over a month ago. Price wise, the Creator pro cost me $1450. The CTC cost me $430.

The main difference that I notice between them, is the case it is in. The flashforge has a nicer case, metal, sturdy. CTC has like a painted pressboard case with cheaper screws. The bed plate is also a thinner aluminum bed plate. That being said, after I printed out a few upgrades for the CTC, it runs basically just as good as my flashforge creator pro does. Basically identical printers other than the case, bed plate being thinner, after a few printed upgrades. I also switched the glass bed plates on both, so it really is about the same printer now.

The CTC came with non-spring loaded extruders. Those can also be printed and parted together with the direct ones it came with, but instead I personally took my left spring loaded one from my flashforge and put it on the CTC. Perfect :D And in doing so, I now have 2 extra motors, since I only have 1 extruder motor on both printers. Don't dual print much, and can be put back in if needed.

I would still pick my Flashforge over the CTC, but if I had neither, I would just buy a couple CTC's and call it a day :P
11-16-2015, 06:24 PM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassna

I personally have a Flashforge Creator pro and a CTC 3d pro. I bought the Creator pro about a year ago, and the CTC over a month ago. Price wise, the Creator pro cost me $1450. The CTC cost me $430.

The main difference that I notice between them, is the case it is in. The flashforge has a nicer case, metal, sturdy. CTC has like a painted pressboard case with cheaper screws. The bed plate is also a thinner aluminum bed plate. That being said, after I printed out a few upgrades for the CTC, it runs basically just as good as my flashforge creator pro does. Basically identical printers other than the case, bed plate being thinner, after a few printed upgrades. I also switched the glass bed plates on both, so it really is about the same printer now.

The CTC came with non-spring loaded extruders. Those can also be printed and parted together with the direct ones it came with, but instead I personally took my left spring loaded one from my flashforge and put it on the CTC. Perfect :D And in doing so, I now have 2 extra motors, since I only have 1 extruder motor on both printers. Don't dual print much, and can be put back in if needed.

I would still pick my Flashforge over the CTC, but if I had neither, I would just buy a couple CTC's and call it a day :P

Cool. Are you the guy who made the T-Rex skull?
I think I DID buy a FFCP....it's just called a Monoprice and cost almost half as much.
11-16-2015, 06:27 PM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by ssayer

Lots of things. Besides the bed leveling, the clean build plate, the right plate and extruder temps, you have to make sure that your designs are printable without tons of support and rafts and whatever else. Depending on what type of filament you're using, you might need to mod your printer with a cooling fan, or properly enclose your printer if you're using (dare I say it?) ABS. :p The 3D printer reality check is really just - experience (time and testing).

Ok. Thanks for the feedback. I think all my current designs are pretty simple and should be very easy for the printer to build. I hope. But like you say, experience will correct if I'm wrong. I hope I haven't underestimated the skill required to take things from design to build.
11-19-2015, 01:37 AM
UAVUHNM

other than build volume - nope no reason whatsoever not to buy one.
http://www.casesam.co.uk/category-ga...-cover-15.html
http://www.casesam.co.uk/category-ga...-cover-10.html
http://www.casesam.co.uk/category-ga...-cover-33.html
11-19-2015, 06:56 AM
Ward

Maybe I should have bought the FFCP after all.....the MonoPrice clone seems to have had a catastrophic extruder failure on the 3rd print :-(

I'm so sad. I did two prints yesterday, the first done with ReplicatorG (awful) and a 2nd done with Simplify3D (fantastic) and was very excited.

Extruder malfunction (overheat then total extruder failure) on the third print this morning.

Waiting for MonoPrice to open this morning so I can call and see what they will do.
11-19-2015, 03:29 PM
djprinter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

Maybe I should have bought the FFCP after all.....the MonoPrice clone seems to have had a catastrophic extruder failure on the 3rd print :-(

I'm so sad. I did two prints yesterday, the first done with ReplicatorG (awful) and a 2nd done with Simplify3D (fantastic) and was very excited.

Extruder malfunction (overheat then total extruder failure) on the third print this morning.

Waiting for MonoPrice to open this morning so I can call and see what they will do.

Could just be bad luck. Although it's really hard to gauge the reliability of products that are in so few hands.
11-19-2015, 03:57 PM
Ward

Quote:

Originally Posted by djprinter

Could just be bad luck. Although it's really hard to gauge the reliability of products that are in so few hands.

Well, they told me they have never had that failure before. Time to buy lottery tickets.....
11-20-2015, 03:21 PM
djprinter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ward

Well, they told me they have never had that failure before. Time to buy lottery tickets.....

"never" is not a believable number of failures--obvious lying.
11-20-2015, 03:32 PM
Bassna

I mean hey, if they are fixing it for free, not so bad of a deal. Still saved a lot of money on that compared to a FF.