Flashforge Creator Pro vs PowerSpec 3d Pro??

[nsarzy]

I am currently looking for a 3d printer and originally I was looking at the Flashforge creator pro as it had what I needed, mainly the dual extruder, but just now I came across the Powerspec 3d pro from MicroCenter and it seems to be the same printer but just from a different manufacturer. The price on the powerspec is much less, 799$ according the email from microcenter but I'm not sure if lower price means less of a quality.

I've read but not sure if it true that the powerspec uses mk 8 extruder vs the mk 9 in the flashforge and the powerspec doesn't accept sailfish or gcode, is this true?

Does anyone have any input on the comparison between them?

[jfkansas]

I am currently looking for a 3d printer and originally I was looking at the Flashforge creator pro as it had what I needed, mainly the dual extruder, but just now I came across the Powerspec 3d pro from MicroCenter and it seems to be the same printer but just from a different manufacturer. The price on the powerspec is much less, 799$ according the email from microcenter but I'm not sure if lower price means less of a quality.

I've read but not sure if it true that the powerspec uses mk 8 extruder vs the mk 9 in the flashforge and the powerspec doesn't accept sailfish or gcode, is this true?

Does anyone have any input on the comparison between them?

It is still made by FlashForge. The only main difference is it has be reported the power supply isn't as strong as the Creator Pro. The power supply can be upgraded for far less than the difference between 799 and 1349 though.

[jdg56]

I have the PowerSpec, and I cannot find a single bit of difference between it and the Flashforge. All the little add-on doo-dads for the FF Pro work fine in my PS Pro. If it is not an old unit, it also comes with sailfish already installed, as far a I can tell. I think the primary difference is the paper sticker on the front that says PowerSpec.

I've been in this forum, treating the PowerSpec printers as just another Flashforge, and have not had a single bit of different behaviour.

I guess I'm waiting for that single bit of difference to come bite me in the butt, but I'm not very worried about it.

The PowerSpec doesn't come with the free starter rolls of filament.

Cheers,

John

[jdg56]

It is still made by FlashForge. The only main difference is it has be reported the power supply isn't as strong as the Creator Pro. The power supply can be upgraded for far less than the difference between 799 and 1349 though.

I'd be interested to compare the model number of the power supply against the FF Pro. I haven't turned mine over yet to look. What's the model number of the PS in the FF Pro? I know (from troubleshooting my dear departed PS Creator X) that it's a 24V low-profile PSU that comes in a few different amperage ratings, but I don't remembe what that one used.

Cheers,

John

[Bassna]

Not sure spec-wise, but Flashforge support is worth the price difference alone in my opinion.

[nsarzy]

Thanks! I think I'm going with the powerspec pro. And I'm assuming since the powerspec supposed uses MK8 extruders, I could buy the flashforge upgrade kit and use that since they're basically the same, right?


I guess I could also print the upgrade but just need to find what type of spring is needed.

[Geoff]

Thanks! I think I'm going with the powerspec pro. And I'm assuming since the powerspec supposed uses MK8 extruders, I could buy the flashforge upgrade kit and use that since they're basically the same, right?


I guess I could also print the upgrade but just need to find what type of spring is needed.

Nothing wrong with Mk8 extruders, I still run one side of my original FF with a MK8 and the other side an MK9. They do flex filament much better than the mk9.

You know what I did when my spring sprung out and got lost? I used the spring from a retractable ball point pen. I just needed to cut the length down so when it was compressed it did not flop in half. Yep.. it provided enough push to grip the filament and I haven't changed it since. The spring ends sit in cavities, as long as the spring fits in there its cool. Most of my repairs have been made from using parts around the house... old laser copier rods (which happen to be 8mm and the perfect length for a flashforge X gantry...)

[curious aardvark]

Now that's a useful tip :-)

Far as I know the powerspec is a flashforge.

[catalyst]

Now that's a useful tip :-)

Far as I know the powerspec is a flashforge.

I have owned the PowerSpec for 2 days now. Its been printing pretty much non-stop without issue. I bought the Dremel (Rebadged Dreamer) but that will be going back since it prints PLA only. So far I like it. I just don't understand ReplicatorG enough to really push this. It was easy with the Dremel's LOW/Standard/High Settings. lol. I also haven't figured out how to use the dual extruders, yet either. :-)

[ssayer]

My Powerspec has worked without issue so far (knock on wood). Seriously, once you really take a look at it, there just aren't that many components and every one of them can be easily found and bought if needed.

The only thing I've yet to add, and will, is an active cooling fan for printing thin/wispy PLA (which IMHO is needed with any of these printers). It'll happen...

as to RepG, I used the older version of Makerbot, until I bit the bullet and bought S3D...