cheap DIY 3d printers

I built a MendelMax 1.5 for about $450.  Very sturdy unit.

Dear Roy,

  I'm a mentor for a high school robotics team and as part of our off-season learning projects we are also building a MendelMax 1.5.

  Yesterday we got most of the electronics installed and ran a test print in the "air".  We have not installed the print bed yet so we just moved the z zero up a few inches and let it run.  Worked fine, amazingly enough, but I shouldn't have been suprized, my kids are pretty smart.

  In anycase, we'd love to chat with you about your experiences (since as you, ours is widely sourced and home built) about your experiences.  It would be great to understand your print platform and which up-grades (since it seems 10 come out a day) you are pursueing.

  If you're interested, I can be reached at:

docdavies2005@gmail.com

Doc

I'm pretty sure we're slowly maxing out on beta testers

You can try applying in a mail to customer support, but I can't promise you're still gonna be in for the draw.

If you do, be sure to tell us why we should choose you

were can i find the boad and steper motors for cheap

Hey Billy

I've bought most my boards and motors off ebay now when it gets to hot ends i get mine from either Lulzbot or Makerbot.  Just watch out some of that stuff on ebay is cheap but not high quality.  I've purchased some non Pololu stepper drivers and they failed only after a short period of time.

Nate

Nate,

I have gotten several JHeads from http://hotends.com for teachers that did not want to build their own. Pretty good quality control so far.

VR,

Kalani

Thanks for the link Kalani I will have to try one of those hotends.

Nate

wat about this place http://printrbot.com/shop/printrboard-electronics/    and http://printrbot.com/shop/kysan-motor-large-motor-for-all-printrbots/

Hey Billy

Yes those parts will work together.  Ive never used the Printerboard but most my motors are Kysan.  Remember that you will have to modify the firmware depending on your setup.

Nate

how much would u chang me to print stuff for me http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:53708 im going to m,ake it look like this http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:53708

or how much will some chang me to make one for me  and mod a paper shader and  make FIlastruder  with it

Hey Billy

I couldnt tell you how much it would cost as im not sure how much material and time it would take me to either print the parts or make the printer.  I currently have some others projects going and dont think i would have time to do this.  I was asked by another member to possibly be a technical editor for a book he has coming out and would like to dedicate as much time as possible to this.  Sorry about that.  My advice would be to check out ebay or reprap forums as there is always people with parts or willing to print parts for others.

Nate

Hey Billy

I couldnt tell you how much it would cost as im not sure how much material and time it would take me to either print the parts or make the printer.  I currently have some others projects going and dont think i would have time to do this.  I was asked by another member to possibly be a technical editor for a book he has coming out and would like to dedicate as much time as possible to this.  Sorry about that.  My advice would be to check out ebay or reprap forums as there is always people with parts or willing to print parts for others.

Nate