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Buying parts for RepRap 3D printer builds - input required

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    #1

    Buying parts for RepRap 3D printer builds - input required

    Greetings all,

    We have been putting together a guide to building your own 3D printer. We are writing a series of articles to take people through that process and we are using a Prusa i3 rework as an example.

    Currently we are on part 2 - Buying your 3D printer parts. We haven't quite finished buying parts yet so haven't completely finished the article.

    We would be very grateful for peoples input on sourcing the different parts and what things to consider when selecting the different parts so any experiences you have had with respect to this aspect of building a 3D printer would be much appreciated.

    The idea is for the series to be of general assistance, i.e. we are using the Prusa i3 as an example.

    Best regards,

    iDig3Dprinting
    Tags: None
    #2
    Hi,

    I also have built 2 Prusa i3 Hephestos printer, and sourced all the parts myself (Shared it here http://www.3dprintingforum.org/threa...phestos-Part-1).
    Most of the parts came directly from China. So Bangood and AliExpress. The Hotend is from E3D from the UK. The smooth and threaded rods came from a local shop (2printbeta.de).
    The Aluminium Plates have also been sourced locally, including the screws. The BOM was at around EUR 370 per Printer (~ USD 400 ).

    It was cheap, yes, downside was tho that the parts took up to 2 months until delivery ... but yeah, i had time

    Comment

      #3
      When you shopped for the parts how did you decide which parts to buy, was it on price alone?

      Comment

        #4
        Not fully. Ofcourse the price was one of the main reasons, but I also always checked for the ratings when available. So when deciding for example which arduino clone or heated bed to buy I did not pick the cheapest one, but cheapest one from the best rated ones Needless to say, I had some fails. Some parts that did not get delivered, or the first patch of heated bed that came without a thermistor all of a sudden. But, and that is very nice on AliExpress, all of the problems where fully refunded, so no issue on that.

        Comment

          #5
          But there are also many different variants, Stepper motors for example. How did you decide between the different models available, ignoring the physical dimensions?

          Comment

            #6
            For decision on what parts to use I mainly used the reprap wiki at http://reprap.org/ and checked the recommendations there. Then cross checked on what I can get from the sellers.
            Sometimes also the other way around, searching for the parts first and then consulting the wiki on those. For the NEMA17 Motors there is a very good list of recommended steppers -> http://reprap.org/wiki/NEMA_17_Stepper_motor. """the most commonly used stepper motors in Reprap based 3d printers are the kysan 1124090/42BYGH4803 or the rattm 17HS8401 or Wantai 42BYGHW609"""

            Comment

              #7
              I built the reprap Funbot i1. Following the supplied BOM I was able to source everything from the US at very reasonable prices.

              ebay - All electronics including stepper motors, MK8 Extruder
              ServoCity - Smooth and threaded rods, bearings, coupling adapters
              Bolt Depot - Screws, nuts, washers, etc...

              Other materials were purchased at local hardware stores.

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