My first 3D Printer Build!

[loganj13]

Relatively soon I will start building a 3D printer. As I've probably told you at one point or another, I'm a broke highschool sophomore, so I won't have the money to start until April or May, so this project may take a while but I'll get there. I intend to buy a Printrbot Simple Makers Edition, which is a kit that costs $349. I am going to do some relatively cheap yet amazing 3D printed upgrades/mods which will make it into an insane 3D printer.

Specs before upgrade:
Build area:  101x101x101
Speed: Reccommended 60mm/s maximum
Material: PLA only
Extrusion: Single Direct Drive and Ubis Hotend
Resolution: Max of .1mm
Enclosure/Fans: 1 Fan, no enclosure
Size: 380x300x280mm
Time: Assemble in less than a day
Cost: $350
Overall abilities/quality: Not too good, but great for its price.

Specs after I do the upgrades:
Build area: 406x406x406mm
Speed: 120mm/s maximum
Material: PLA, ABS, NinjaFlex/FilaFlex, Nylon, etc
Extrusion: Dual Direct Drive and Ubis Hotends
Resolution: Max of .1mm
Enclosure/Fans: 4-8 Fans, depending on how much is: Enclosed with filter for fume release.
Size: Unknown, likely at least double of above
Time: Assemble above printrbot in a day, print upgrade mods for a week or two, assemble in another twoish days.
Cost: Approximately $600-$700, due to addition of: 4-8x8 HBPs, second extruder, dual extrustion board, roll of PLA necessary to print mods, buildtak, wood/acrylic for enclosure, modified soldering fume hood or filter for fume release.
Overall abilities/quality:
Compared to Makerbot Replicator 2(5th gen): INSANE! Resolution is equal, speeds are better, 10 TIMES the build volume, able to print with way more materials, has a second extruder (=different materials at once), heated build plate, enclosure for better temperature control, 1/3 THE PRICE, customizable, doesn't have the crappy "smart" extruder.
I'm super pumped to make this, and will document and post the hell out of my progress! Wish me luck!

[Martink1974]

I got a second hand k8400 to start as was kit somebody could not put together , few missing bits but got it together and I was away , it's a pretty good printer with a few design flaws , after spending much time reading community posts I thing best value printer realy is a prusa a place in uk does a kit with upgrades that is good value

http://ooznest.co.uk/3D-Printer-Kits/Prusa-i3-Kit

Think that's what I should have started with it prints abs like a champ and can be upgraded to do anything you would ever want has direct extruder for easy printing of flexibles auto bed levelling , and huge user base

[loganj13]

Thanks, I've heard good things about Prusas. I like this mainly because the basic setup is cheap, and the upgrades I'm doing are designed by someone outside the company, and aren't sold as kits Ill have to buy everything individually myself, which will be annoying but way cheaper. (I don't know if Prusa is different or similar, thats just what I know about Printrbot.) I mean, that Prusa looks really nice and like a solid printer, but 500 pounds is over $750, if all my upgrades go as planned, the Prusa wouldn't be nearly as capable. That and the fact that I'm short on $$$ is why I'll go with the Printrbot I think, because I can get the printer kit for $350, and then do the upgrades as I get the money.