Question about some hardware I found

fcwilt

Hi,

I've got to scrap my cheap Chinese CoreXY machine. I only bought it to see what CoreXY was all about. But its flimsy cantilever bed is really frustrating.

So I am going to replace it.

I've been doing "spring cleaning" and taking inventory in my workshop. I ran across a BOM kit for a HypercCube Evolution (2 Z axes) and a BOM kit for a BLV MGN12 Cube (3 Z axes) with the metal bits.

Are either of these worth putting together?

I have enough hardware and electronics so the only "cost" would be my time.

I'm would like to avoid a retail machine as I hate to move away from the Duet world.

Any input is welcome.

Thanks, Frederick

Phaedrux

I've heard good things about the BLV cube.

droftarts

@fcwilt I'd call the Hypercube (2016) and BLV (2019) '1st Gen' CoreXY machines. The BLV uses a lot of 20x40 extrusion.

For self-builds, there seems little point in building anything other than a Voron (0, 2.4 or Trident) at the moment, just because it gives you lots of options for toolheads. I think other notable self-build options are the RatRig Vcore 3 or 4 (though uses 30x30mm extrusion) and perhaps the VZbot. There's a couple of other newcomers, but nothing that has got a significant following, as far as I can tell.

Ian

DIY-O-Sphere

@fcwilt said in Question about some hardware I found:

I would advise against the Hypercube. There are a few weak spots.
There are almost no original parts left on mine.
I prefer the BLV, but I would build the frame differently.
If you want to build a up-to-date printer, I would recommend a RatRig V-Core.

fcwilt

@droftarts

Thanks for the feedback. While I wasn't think of buying a new kit I will consider going that way.

Frederick

fcwilt

@DIY-O-Sphere

Thanks for the feedback. While I wasn't think of buying a new kit I will consider going that way.

Frederick

droftarts

@fcwilt said in Question about some hardware I found:

While I wasn't think of buying a new kit

I assumed you would be building something from your pile of hardware!

Ian

fcwilt

@droftarts

I was but others mentioned kits I could buy.

Worth becoming aware of them even if don't see myself spending the money.

Frederick

Phaedrux

I think the BLV has a fairly large community, so there are probably mods and changes that could improve on the base.

fcwilt

@Phaedrux

When is that ever NOT the case.

I don't think I've seen or read a review that concluded the printer was perfect and nothing could be done to improve it.

Frederick

fcwilt

@DIY-O-Sphere

After much study and thought and good fortune I decided to take your advice.

The idea of tossing both of those, at the time, rather costly BOM kits was not agreeable.

But then just the other day an HVAC tech was at my home doing a annual checkup and happened to see the 3D printers in my workshop.

He mentioned that he had a nephew that was very interested in 3D printing.

I asked if the nephew might be interested in the BOM kits, plus a bunch of stuff I no longer wanted.

He called the nephew and the answer was yes, he did want them.

So having found a "good home" for them I was comfortable in ordering a RatRig V-400 300x300, the hybrid variation.

Just today it homed for the very first time.

Frederick

DIY-O-Sphere

@fcwilt
That is a good option. I hope you both have a great time with them.

fcwilt

Hi,

Well I spent a couple of days striving for a set of Z axis end-stop sensors I was happy with.

Tonight the bed did it's first "auto level" using the end-stop sensors.

Worked just fine.

Next step - design and install the hotend and related bits and pieces - like a pair of Z probes.

Frederick