MakerFarm 8" i3v Prusa build by Printbus

[AbuMaia]

I've seen a modified i3v spool holder on thingiverse that is wider, I think to accomodate the wider spools.

[usarmyaircav]

I've seen a modified i3v spool holder on thingiverse that is wider, I think to accomodate the wider spools.

I will have to to print this one out once I am printing, thanks AbuMaia!

On another note, since I hot my heat bed heating issues fixed (see the heatbed heating thread), I attempted to print the test cube. I found that the extruder is not feeding into the hotend. I am going to take it apart, but from the looks of this picture, it might just be an alignment issue. As the extrude wanted to push the filiment down, and the retract would pull it out just fine. Any other thoughts? It is hard to tell but could I just tighten the hobbed bolt more to get it to move in further?extruder.jpg

[gmay3]

Without having my own printer in front of me for reference, it seems like the bearing in the front is seated correctly, meaning it appears to be tightened all the way. Could the guidler somehow be misaligned?

[printbus]

...it might just be an alignment issue. As the extrude wanted to push the filiment down, and the retract would pull it out just fine. Any other thoughts? It is hard to tell but could I just tighten the hobbed bolt more to get it to move in further?

Something's not right there. Duh. Comparing to my printer, your bearing does appear to be fully seated, and the left side of my guidler rides against the extruder body just like yours is. If you take things apart, you could see if the hole for the bearing needs to be cleaned out some, and you could try a thinner washer under the head of the hobbed bolt. I doubt that'd fix the misalignment you have though. Have you tried talking to Colin about it, perhaps sending him the picture or linking to here? Maybe they end up with a bad hobbed bolt every now and then.

EDIT: And looking at my printer for this I now see the kapton tape I had wrapped around the hobbed bolt to improve the fit in the bearings has crept into the cut area of the hobbed bolt for some reason. I wonder how long ago that happened.

[usarmyaircav]

Something's not right there. Duh. Comparing to my printer, your bearing does appear to be fully seated, and the left side of my guidler rides against the extruder body just like yours is. If you take things apart, you could see if the hole for the bearing needs to be cleaned out some, and you could try a thinner washer under the head of the hobbed bolt. I doubt that'd fix the misalignment you have though. Have you tried talking to Colin about it, perhaps sending him the picture or linking to here? Maybe they end up with a bad hobbed bolt every now and then.

Thanks Kevin, I will send that to him. Great idea. I just sent him pictures of my spool holder, as I asked him about it since the spool won't rotate without me manually rotating it.

[printbus]

RUNNING SUMMARY OF CONFIGURATION SETTINGS
I dug into and adjusted several of the Marlin and slicer configuration settings after completion of the Make: benchmark prints. Some of the changes are a result of thread Marlin Motion Related Configuration.h Settings for MakerFarm i3v. The following summarizes either the current settings or the settings I last used with particular software. Note that information that follows in code dialogue boxes is simple text with comments, organized to follow the user interface structure for the applicable software. It is not an INI or other data file that can be used as is.

Anyone with suggested adjustments are welcome to post about them or send me a PM.

REPETIER-HOST/CURA ENGINE
I'd been using Repetier-Host with Cura Engine for several months, so I naturally started refining settings with this combination. As I was trying to optimize print settings, Cura became a limiting factor since it doesn't allow setting different speeds for internal infill (ideally printed fast) and solid layers like the top (ideally printed slower for quality).

Printbus Repetier-Host & Cura Engine configuration summary
11 Jan 2015

*** MARLIN DETAILS  ***
dacb fork for MakerFarm as of Sept 28 2014; personalized motion related changes:
HOMING_FEEDRATE {100*60, 100*60, 2*60, 0}
marlin_main.cpp homeaxis() feedrate in 3rd phase of homing reduced from /2 to /4 to negate faster HOMING_FEEDRATE
DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT   {80, 80, 4000, 900}
DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE {250, 250, 2, 15} (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_MAX_ACCELERATION {750,750,500,500} (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ACCELERATION 750 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ZJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_EJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
MANUAL_FEEDRATE {100, 100, 2, 5} (want less than or equal to DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE; 5 is about the limit on 1.75mm, 3mm requires lower)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CONFIG PRINTER SETTINGS - Printer dialogue ***
Travel Feed Rate: 15000 mm/min  (to match 250mm/sec Marlin setting)
Z-axis Feed Rate: 120 mm/min  (to match 2mm/sec Marlin setting)
Manual Extrusion Speed: 5, 5 mm/sec  (300 mm/min, not sure why there are two values; 5 is about the limit on 1.75mm, 3mm requires lower)
Manual Retraction Speed: 5 mm/sec  (to match 300 mm/min extrusion speed)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CONFIG PRINTER SETTINGS - Extruder dialogue ***
Number of Extruder: 1
Max Volume per second: 10mm3/sec following recommendation suggesting between 8 and 10 for 0.4mm tip
Extruder 1 diameter: 0.4 mm 

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Print Speed & Quality dialogue
Print speed: 50 to 100 mm/sec (unclear where this speed is applied)
Travel speed: 250 to 250 mm/sec (DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE for XY)
First layer speed: 30 to 50 mm/sec
Outer perimeter speed: 30 to 60 mm/sec (kept low for print quality)
Inner perimeter speed: 40 to 80 mm/sec
Infill speed: 50 to 80 mm/sec (note Cura applies this to bridging and top layers)
Layer height: 0.2 mm (only a 0.2mm quality has been defined)
First layer height: 0.35 mm (just seems to work with nozzle adjusted to snug paper clearance)
First Layer Extrusion Width: 125%

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Print Structures dialogue
Infill shell thickness: 1.2 mm (value leads to 3 shells with 0.4mm nozzle)
Infill Top/Bottom Thickness: 0.55 mm (value leads to 3 top and bottom fill layers)
Infill overlap: 5% (reduced until infill didn't ripple through outer wall)
Infill pattern: Automatic
Infill Solid Top and Solid Bottom both checked
Support Pattern: Grid
Support overhang angle: 60 degrees
Support fill amount: 15%
Support distance XY: 0.7 mm (only minimally tested)
Support distance Z: 0.15 mm (only minimally tested)
Skirt Line Count: 2
Skirt distance: 3 mm
Skirt minimum length: 150 mm
Brim Width: 3
Skirt Distance: 3 mm
Minimum Skirt Length: 150 mm
Raft settings (undetermined; raft has never been used)
G-code Flavor: RepRap (Repetier/Marlin/Sprinter)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Print Extrusion dialogue
Spiralize Contour: unchecked (have not had good results with this enabled)
Minimize Crossing Perimeters: checked
Enable Retraction: checked
Retraction speed: 15 mm/sec (consistent with E feedrate in Marlin settings thread)
Retraction distance: 1.5 mm (but still seeing very fine strands remaining)
Minimum travel before retract: 4 mm (depends on print)
Minimum Extrusion Before Retract: 0.02 mm (depends on print)
Z Hop: 0 mm (Z hop adds considerable print time on screw-based Z axis)
Cut Off Object Bottom: 0 mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0 mm (0 value says to use printer settings)
Multi Extruder Settings: (undetermined; multiple extruders not present)
Cooling fan full at height 0.5 mm
Minimum speed: 0 mm/sec (print dependent, varies with layer size and cooling approach)
Cool head lift : unchecked (print dependent; often used on very small prints)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Print Advanced dialogue
Mesh Errors: All unchecked (Combine Everything type A observed to have bad effects)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Filament dialogue
Filament diameter: 1.74 mm (filament dependent)
Filament flow: 100%
Print emperature: 220 degrees C (filament dependent)
Bed temperature: 70 degrees C (filament dependent)
Cooling Min Fan Speed: 5 % (usually manually controlled)
Cooling Max Fan Speed: 25 % (usually manually controlled)
Minimum Layer Time: 2 sec (print dependent; varies with layer size and cooling approach)

*** REPETIER-HOST v1.0.6 CURA ENGINE - Print Settings
Adhesion type: none (print dependent; Brim used on prints with low bed surface area)
Quality: 0.2 mm (only a 0.2 mm quality has been defined)
Support type: none (print dependent)
Speed: Slider set for 75mm print speed results in outer perimeter speed 45 mm/sec and infill speed 65 mm/sec
Infill density: 20% (print dependent after gcode evaluation in gcode.ws viewer)
Enable cooling: unchecked (manual controls normally used for varying print cooling speed)
Filament settings: Extruder 1 (set to whatever filament definition is to be used)

Jan 11 2015: DEFAULT_STEPS_PER_UNIT back to 4000 for Z since stepper driver is reconfigured back to 1/16 microstepping
Jan 3 2015: Updated to final RH/CE settings before switching to Simplify3D software
Dec 25 2014: Added note that 5mm/sec manual extrusion feed rate is about the limit for 1.75mm filament
Dec 15 2014: Added DEFAULT_XYJERK tweak to the Marlin category (missing in original list)

------------------------------
REPETIER-HOST/SLIC3R
I briefly gave SLIC3R another try before moving on to Simplify3D software. I saw no improvement in Slic3r's tendency to hang or take far too long on slicing complex objects, and Slic3r also still seemed to require more moves and retractions per layer than Cura did. I used Slic3r 1.1.7 that was included with the Repetier-Host v1.0.6 distribution.

Printbus Repetier-Host & Slic3r configuration summary
11 Jan 2015

*** MARLIN DETAILS  ***
dacb fork for MakerFarm as of Sept 28 2014; personalized motion related changes:
HOMING_FEEDRATE {100*60, 100*60, 2*60, 0}
marlin_main.cpp homeaxis() feedrate in 3rd phase of homing reduced from /2 to /4 to negate faster HOMING_FEEDRATE
DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT   {80, 80, 4000, 900} 
DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE {250, 250, 2, 15} (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_MAX_ACCELERATION {750,750,500,500} (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ACCELERATION 750 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ZJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_EJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
MANUAL_FEEDRATE {100, 100, 2, 5} (want less than or equal to DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE; 5 is about the limit on 1.75mm, 3mm requires lower)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Layers and Perimeters
Layer height: 0.2mm
First layer height: 0.35mm
Vertical shells on perimeters: 3
Spiral vase: unchecked (did not try this)
Horizontal shells top: 3
Horizontal shells bottom: 3
Extra perimeters: checked
Avoid crossing perimeters: checked
Detect thin walls: checked
Detect bridging perimeters: checked
Seam position: random
External perimeters first: checked

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Infill
Infill fill density: 15% (print dependent) 
Infill fill pattern: rectilinear
Infill top/bottom fill pattern: rectilinear
Combine infill every 1 layer
Only infill where needed: unchecked
Solid infill every 0 layers
Fill angle 45 degrees (can be considered print dependent)
Solid infill threshold area: 70 mm^2
Only retract when crossing perimeters: unchecked
Infill before perimeters: unchecked

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Speed
Print speed on perimeters: 50 mm/sec
Print speed on small perimeters: 50 mm/sec (IDK - just be consistent on perimeters?)
Print speed on external perimeters: 50 mm/sec (IDK - just be consistent on perimeters?)
Print speed on infill: 100mm/sec (fast since most time is spent printing this)
Print speed on solid infill: 80 mm/sec
Print speed on top solid infill: 70 mm/sec
Print speed on support material: 100 mm/sec (did not test)
Print speed on support material interface: 100% (did not test)
Print speed on bridges: 100 mm/sec (did not test)
Print speed on gap fill: 0 (a 0 disables gap filling - something I found annoying with slic3r previously)
Non-printing travel speed: 250 mm/sec (to match Marlin DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE settings)
First layer speed: 40 mm/sec
Advanced acceleration control: all 0 (a 0 leaves acceleration control to Marlin)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Skirt and Brim
Skirt loops: 2
Skirt distance from object: 6mm
Skirt height: 1 layer
Minimum extrusion length: 0mm (2 skirt loops should provide enough priming extrusion even on small objects)
Brim width: 0 mm (did not test use of a brim)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Support Material
Generate support material: unchecked 
(did not determine any preferred settings for support)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Output options
Sequential printing complete individual objects: unchecked 
Output file verbose g-code: unchecked

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Multiple Extruders
Perimeter extruder: 1 (I only have one extruder)
Infill extruder: 1 (I only have one extruder)
Support material extruder: 1 (I only have one extruder)
Support material interface extruder: 1 (I only have one extruder)
Ooze prevention enable: unchecked
Interface shells: unchecked

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Print Settings - Advanced
Default extrusion width: 0 (set default width automatically)
First layer extrusion width: 200%
Perimeter extrusion width: 0 (use default width)
Infill extrusion width: 0 (use default width)
Solid infill extrusion width: 0 (use default width)
Top solid infill extrusion width: 0 (use default width)
Support material extrusion width: 0 (use default width)
Bridge flow ratio: 1 (did not test bridging)
Threads: 2
Resolution: 0 (use full resolution)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Filament Settings - Filament
Filament diameter: 1.68mm (filament dependent)
Filament extrusion multiplier: 1 (did not test other settings)
Extruder temperature first layer: 215 (filament & print dependent)
Extruder temperature other layers: 210 (filament & print dependent)
Bed temperature first layer: 0 (filament dependent)
Bed temperature other layers: 0 (filament dependent)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Filament Settings - Cooling
Keep fan always on: unchecked (print cooler doesn't have to be on all the time)
Enable auto cooling: unchecked (I normally adjust print cooling fan manually)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Printer Settings - General
Bed size: 200mm x 200mm (printer dependent)
Print center: 100mm, 100mm (printer dependent)
Z offset: 0mm (no, I'm not equipped for auto bed correction)
Firmware: RepRap
Use relative E distances: unchecked (gcode will use absolute positioning)
Extruders: 1
Use firmware retraction: unchecked (retraction is handled in gcode)
Vibration limit: 0 (did not experiment with this)

*** SLIC3r v1.1.7 Printer Settings - Extruder 1
Nozzle diameter: 0.4mm (hot end dependent)
Retraction length: 1.5mm (seems to provide generally good retraction results)
Retraction lift Z: 0 mm (i3v use of threaded Z-rods would slow down prints if lift Z is used)
Retraction speed: 15mm/sec (to match Marlin DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE setting)
Retraction extra length on restart: 0mm
Minimum travel after retraction: 1mm (print dependent)
Retract on layer change: checked (retract while waiting for threaded rods to raise carriage to next layer)
Wipe while retracting: unchecked (did not experiment with this; would take more time)

REPETIER-HOST/Slic3r Slicer Settings
Override Slic3r settings: unchecked (use settings from Slic3r configuration files)

Jan 11 2015: DEFAULT_STEPS_PER_UNIT back to 4000 for Z since stepper driver is reconfigured back to 1/16 microstepping
Jan 4 2015: Initial population of settings info

------------------------------
SIMPLIFY 3D
It wasn't free, but Simplify3D is currently providing my best combination of print quality, setting flexibility, and professional user interface. I think that as a slicer, Simplify3D is giving me better results than Slic3r or Cura/Cura Engine. I do think, however, that the Machine Control Panel is weak. It is missing several features I grew used to with Repetier-Host.

Printbus Simplify3D configuration summary
21 Feb 2015

 *** MARLIN DETAILS  ***
dacb fork for MakerFarm as of Sept 28 2014 built for non-ABL; personalized motion related changes:
HOMING_FEEDRATE {100*60, 100*60, 2.5*60, 0}
marlin_main.cpp homeaxis() feedrate in 3rd phase of homing reduced from /2 to /4 to negate faster HOMING_FEEDRATE
DEFAULT_AXIS_STEPS_PER_UNIT   {80, 80, 1000, 900}  (Z motor driver configured for 1/4 microstepping)
DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE {250, 250, 3, 15} (see Marlin settings thread; 3 on Z works with Kysan motors and 1/4 microstepping)
DEFAULT_MAX_ACCELERATION {750,750,500,500} (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ACCELERATION 750 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_ZJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
DEFAULT_EJERK 10 (see Marlin settings thread)
MANUAL_FEEDRATE {100, 100, 2.5, 5} (want less than or equal to DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE; 5 is about the limit on 1.75mm, 3mm requires lower)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Extruder
Nozzle diameter: 0.40mm
Extrusion multiplier: 1.00 (have not tried other values; I'd normally adjust flow at the printer)
Extrusion width: Auto (print dependent; using manual on many thin wall parts to reduce thin zigzag infill)
Retraction box: checked
Retraction distance: 2.0mm (filament and print dependent)
Extra restart distance: 0mm
Retraction vertical lift: 0mm (threaded rods on Z would lead this to be slow)
Retraction speed: 15mm/sec (to match 15mm/sec setting in Marlin DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE)
Coast at end: checked and set to 1.6mm (under evaluation) 
Wipe at end: checked and set to 5mm (sometimes causes artifacts on external perimeters at the wipe distance)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Layer
Primary layer height: 0.20mm (nozzle physically adjusted for 0.20mm gap with bed and hot end at printing temperature)
Top solid layers: 3
Bottom solid layers: 3
Outline/perimeter shells: 2
Outline direction: Outside-in (print dependent)
Print islands sequentially: unchecked (have not tried this)
Corkscrew printing mode: unchecked (have not tried this)
First layer height: 90% (note bed is adjusted for 0.20mm nozzle gap using S3D leveling tool)
First layer width: 125%
First layer speed: 75%
Start points: use random start points for all perimeters

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Additions
Include skirt brim: checked (print dependent)
Skirt layers: 1
Skirt offset: 4mm (set to 0mm for brim)
Skirt outlines: 3 (2 was a bit lacking on some small prints)
Include raft: unchecked (I've never tried a raft)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Infill
External fill pattern: rectilinear
Interior fill percentage: 20% (print dependent but 20% seems to provide adequate top layer support)
Outline overlap: 15% (been experimenting with different values but back to this currently)
Infill extrusion width: 100% (have not experimented with other values)
Minimum infill length: 5mm (have not experimented with other values)
Print sparse infill every 1 layer
Include solid diaphragm: unchecked
Random infill placement: unchecked (not sure where one would want this)
Infill angles: 45, -45 degrees

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Support
Generate support material: unchecked (print dependent)
Support extruder: Primary (only have one)
Support infill percentage: 20% (print dependent)
Extra inflation distance: 0 (have not experimented with other values)
Dense support layers: 0 (have not experimented with other values)
Dense infill percentage: 70% (have not experimented with other values)
Print support every 1 layer (print dependent?)
Horizontal offset from part: 0.80mm (easier to remove than the 0.3mm default)
Upper vertical separation layers: 1 (have not experimented with other values)
Lower vertical separation layers: 1 (have not experimented with other values)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Temperature
Extruder temperature identifier: T0
Extruder temperature controller type: Extruder
Extruder relay temperature between each: (neither layer or loop selected)
Extruder wait for temperature controller to stabilize: checked
Extruder layer 1 temperature: 215 degrees (filament dependent)
Extruder layer 4 temperature: 210 degrees (filament dependent)
Heated bed temperature identifier: T2
Heated bed temperature controller type: heated build platform
Heated bed relay temperature between each: (neither layer or loop selected)
Heated bed wait for temperature controller to stabilize: checked
Heated bed layer 1 temperature: 0 (this and subsequent layer temps print filament dependent)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Cooling
Layer 1 fan speed: 0
Layer 4 fan speed: 2% (print and blower dependent)
Blip fan to full power when increasing from idle: unchecked (leads to undesired pause with nozzle sitting on print)
Adjust print speed for layers below set duration: unchecked (print cooler used instead)
Increase fan speed for layers below set duration: unchecked (print dependent)
Bridging fan speed override: unchecked (have not experimented with bridging)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - G-code
Option for 5D firmware: checked
Option for relative extrusion distances: unchecked
Option to allow zeroing of extrusion distances: checked
Option to use independent extruder axes: unchecked
Option to include M101/M102/M103 commands: unchecked
Option for firmware supporting sticky parameters: checked
G-Code axis offsets all set to 0
Update machine definition using settings: checked
Machine type: Cartesian
Build volume: 200mm x 200mm x 200mm (printer dependent)
Origin offset: 0, 0, 0
Homing direction: all set to min
Flip build table axis: Y checked

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Other
Default printing speed: 100 mm/sec (6000mm/min)
Outline underspeed: 50% (seems to be optimal value)
Solid fill underspeed: 50% (seems to optimal value)
Support structure underspeed: 80% (have not tested)
X/Y axis movement speed: 250 mm/sec (to match setting in DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE)
Z axis movement speed: 2.5 mm/sec (to match setting in DEFAULT_MAX_FEEDRATE)
Filament diameter: 1.68mm (filament dependent)
Bridging unsupported area threshold: 50 sq mm (untested)
Bridging extrusion multiplier: 100% (untested)
Bridging speed multiplier: 100% (untested)

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Process Settings - Advanced
Start printing at set height: unchecked
Stop printing at set height: unchecked
Non-manifold segments: heal
Merge all outlines into solid model: unchecked
Thin wall behavior: Allow gap fill when necessary
Allowed perimeter overlap: 10% (have not tried other values)
Only retract when crossing open spaces: checked 
Force retraction between layers: checked (retract while we wait on slow Z movement)
Minimum travel for retraction: 2mm (print dependent)
Extruder ooze rate: unchecked
Only wipe extruder for outer-most perimeters: checked (need to better understand this)
Tool change retraction: settings ignored since I only have one extruder

*** Simplify3D v2.2.1 Machine Control Panel Settings
X/Y axis jog speed: 100 mm/sec
Z axis jog speed: 2.5 mm/sec (OK with Kysan motors and 1/4 microstepping)
Extruder jog speed: 4 mm/sec (5 is about the limit for 1.75mm filament and 0.40mm nozzle)

Feb 21 2015: Numerous settings revised per lessons learned
Feb 15 2015: Infill percentage to 15%, outline underspeed to 80%
Jan 21 2015: updated misc to reflect baseline for ripple test prints
Jan 21 2015: unchecked the wipe option due to external perimeter artifacts noticed at the end of the wipe distance
Jan 17 2015: increased Z in MANUAL_FEEDRATE to 2.5 mm/sec as well
Jan 15 2015: retuned Z motion settings again; added support detail; added machine control panel settings
Jan 14 2015: checked coast at end and wipe nozzle options in extruder settings
Jan 12 2015: checked Y axis in flip build table axis
Jan 11 2015: DEFAULT_STEPS_PER_UNIT back to 4000 for Z since stepper driver is reconfigured back to 1/16 microstepping; updated to Simplify3D version 2.2.1
Jan 5 2015: unchecked blip print cooling fan to full when coming up from idle
Jan 4 2015: Initial population of current settings

[printbus]

With having a newer printer, with the motors that don't get hot, are the Kysan motors something to consider later on?

Probably not, unless perhaps if one of your motors dies. If that be a Z-motor, I'd replace both to keep them the same. An advantage of using the Kysan is you'd at least have the full specs for the motor available to you.

Any chance you may be able to provide links to the replacement rods and nuts you ordered? I bent the tops of mine trying to get them into the clear plastic tubing the first time around and would like to swap em.

I cut them myself from 1-meter stainless steel rods obtained through Grainger - their P/N 25DM77. I use Grainger for as much hardware as I can since stuff gets shipped for no charge to the local Grainger store. Can't imagine what the shipping cost would have been on the four-foot tube my $2.60 USD threaded rod came in. SS nuts from the local Ace Hardware were used. I see the rods are now $2.70 USD. Must have been a price increase at the beginning of the year.

[gmay3]

I cut them myself from 1-meter stainless steel rods obtained through Grainger - their P/N 25DM77. I use Grainger for as much hardware as I can since stuff gets shipped for no charge to the local Grainger store. Can't imagine what the shipping cost would have been on the four-foot tube my $2.60 USD threaded rod came in. SS nuts from the local Ace Hardware were used. I see the rods are now $2.70 USD. Must have been a price increase at the beginning of the year.

Many thanks! I made a cart for a threaded rod (P/N 25DM77) and M5 SS nuts (P/N 22YK31) with shipping for $16.57. Very surprisingly, the shipping is only $10 so I might just go for it