Opinions: P3Steel, MendelMax

DocTrucker

What are people's opinions on these machines? I think the P3Steel is likely to be similar to MendelMax in terms of rigidity, but likely to be improved by a lighter bed?

I'm looking for a low fuss build that isn't likely to need the whole machine stripping down for routine maintenance such as swapping a belt guide bearing. I think this is the P3 of these two?

OBELIKS

I have P3Steel in stainless steel. It is very rigid, and for the frame itself I think aluminium would also be OK.
For the heatbed frame, I am not so sure. I am planning to test it in aluminium also, but I have a feeling it could bend.

What version of plastic parts do you plan to use? I went with Toolson edition and there are some parts that are too weak for my liking. Mostly the parts that hold the bushes (I'm redesigning them slowly). But the cooling, anti z wobble and some other solutions are great.
http://scheuten.me/?page_id=708

If you will need a box for the Duet tell me, I have something drawn (minimal size with a 40mm fan). Also be careful, the holes on left and right are not the same in case of version 2.5

Oh, maintenance is fairly easy, all parts are more or less accessible. Frame is strong enough so you can flip it to access heat bed from bottom.

Veti

Did you consider a rail version? This makes the movement more ridged.
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2567757
I found that the lmuu bearings tend to have a bit of play

OBELIKS

The solution with bronze bushes also gives you a rigid movement.

DocTrucker

I was thinking of an off the shelf collection of parts such as:

https://www.hta3d.com/en/p3steel-diy-kit

I've contacted them to see of they'd do a price for without PSU, arduino, RAMPs, extruder etc as I've broken a couple of ebay printers recently and would liek to reuse some of their parts!

OBELIKS

So frame with plastic parts and fans?

Veti

@doctrucker

so you actually just need the frame if you have parts from other printer like stepper motors etc.
https://orballoprinting.com/en/frame/8-prusa-i3-steel-frame-p3steel.html

DocTrucker

Thanks for the links. Yes, I had spotted a few ebay frames kicking about but none available with the hardware. That link does include options for the hardware, rods, bearings, and hopefullt somewhere there the printed components. Any other suggested links welcome!

OBELIKS

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/P3Steel-Prusa-i3-3d-Printer-Metal-Frame-galvanized-RepRap-Mendel-Lasercut/162700068255

Veti

@doctrucker

yes the printed parts are there as well
https://orballoprinting.com/en/frame/33-piezas-impresas-prusa-i3-steel-.html

I Have a HTA3D P3Steel. All thats left from its original format is the fame and the motors, everything else has been changed, as it turned out to be junk.

I changed the bed to an Aluminium three bearing type from FYSTEC, its holding up very well compared to the somewhat flimsy original steel one which was very floppy. I changed from the M5 threaded rod to 8mm lead screws, I use bronze oilite bushes throughout the whole printer, and Genuine titan Aero on a alloy mount.

Plastic parts are XZ Carriage mod for P3steel V1.0 from Thingiverse

DocTrucker

Priced it up from Orballoprinting and it comes in around £230 for Stainless frame, printed parts, hardware, bearings (inc dry bearings for smooth rods), pulleys/belts, and TR8 screws. Not quite as cheap as I thought it maybe, so I'll be studying this a bit further and concentrating on finishing my Ormerod rework projects first!

@calvinx said in Opinions: P3Steel, MendelMax:

I Have a HTA3D P3Steel. All thats left from its original format is the fame and the motors, everything else has been changed, as it turned out to be junk.

I changed the bed to an Aluminium three bearing type from FYSTEC, its holding up very well compared to the somewhat flimsy original steel one which was very floppy. I changed from the M5 threaded rod to 8mm lead screws, I use bronze oilite bushes throughout the whole printer, and Genuine titan Aero on a alloy mount.

Plastic parts are XZ Carriage mod for P3steel V1.0 from Thingiverse

Thanks for the warning. I'll also look into that bed you mention.

DocTrucker

Thanks all for the opinions. I've got some work coming up using RAMPs. I was going to build a ramps system for myself at somepoint but need it faster so went for the complete budget system from Orballoprinting.