1st Printer: HE Reprap Prusa i3 DIY Kit

[danrodz]

I didn't mean to sound like I was majorly complaining. It's more fustration at all the added hassle of identifying everything. For example, all the hardware (screws, nuts, bolts, etc) are in small ziplock bags without any labels, except the ones for the lcd screen. So the first step is getting everything identified and determine it's purpose.
I'm excited to have it and want to get it assembled. Also, I love putting things together. I still have my legos, constructs, robotix, k-nex. It will just take longer then what I'd like.
As for my plans, get it assembled and comfortable with printing and working with it. Then start modifying it. The only things I'd probably do right off is get a geckotek build plate, and or a different hot end (one of the 2 mentioned). Then eventually move the extruder to where the hot end is (or is it better to keep it mounted to the frame?). And down the road play with the double nozzle, but that's a ways off.
I'm just excited to have this new "toy," and want to do all these things with it. But I know, 1st things 1st. Get it assembled, and learn how to use it as it is 1st. Then start to play with it.

I totally understand your frustration. However, think of it this way...although you will be aggravated as you put the kit together, your learning experience will be outstanding. You will learn the harder way what each piece of your printer is and what it does and where it goes and how it interfaces with the parts around it. That hard earned knowledge will be invaluable as you then start to mod and expand your machine and more than likely build a new one. You will totally OWN that machine and that is worth a lot in my book.

With that said, as intimidating as it may seem, you can go a very long way by carefully examining the picture. That will at least give you some ideas of the major assemblies and then you can work from there. As amazing as these machines are they really aren't that complicated.

[dtiger1138]

With that said, as intimidating as it may seem, you can go a very long way by carefully examining the picture. That will at least give you some ideas of the major assemblies and then you can work from there.

I agree Danrodz, just I was at the point of needing to know what screws get used when and where, and also identifying which screws were which. 1st time I've worked with metric screws. But thanks to all those who've helped with links or otherwise, I think I've gotten a handle on this (famous last words). As you can see, I've made progress.

But I've also hit a snag. I 1st grabbed the wrong smooth rods. I had the ones for the X-axis. The problem is though, when I slide the bearings onto one of the rods, I ended up with 4 of the tiny ball bearings coming out (1 from 1, and 3 from the other). It was a very snug fit, and they didn't seem to slide all that freely. I did used them on one of the rods in the picture. They move much better.

This brings up 2 questions:
1) Will the missing ball bearings have an effect on performance, therefore I should replace them?
2) Do I need to replace the rods for the x-axis if they are doing this to the bearings?

Thanks again