Greetings from Kalamazoo, Michigan

[velocilobster]

Hi there.

My name is Tom, I am a 25 year old programmer from South West Michigan. Just got my first 3D printer in the mail: a Rostock MAX v2. Currently, I am waiting on an Amazon shipment with my RTV and Kapton tape, but I am going to get started tonight, and should hopefully be done by the beginning of next week!

While this is my first printer, I am pretty familiar with 3D printing (I work at http://quantum3dprinting.com), and have been around a printer for 2 years or so.

I've got a pretty fair amount of experience with linux systems and R-Pi/Arduino, so I am also excited to see what kind of modifications and trouble I can get myself into down the road.

I'm already too excited to get started printing.

[ramai]

Hey Tom, I just got my printer too. Have fun peeling all the tape off! It took me about 2 hours while I was watching National Treasure. Are you going to paint your edges? I opted not to on account of it being a lot of extra work, but it looks pretty cool.

[velocilobster]

No, I don't plan on painting...but I got the black version.

I would probably paint it if it wasn't black though, nothing looks quite as well as black hardware!

[Jimustanguitar]

Hey Tom!

Are you involved with the Kalamazoo Maker's Guild? If not, check them out!

[ramai]

Hey Tom!

Are you involved with the Kalamazoo Maker's Guild? If not, check them out!

best name for a makers guild I can think of

[velocilobster]

No, but I plan on it. I am also planning on going to a MakerHive meeting eventually. Thanks for the suggestion!

[BenTheRighteous]

Kalamazoo huh? Do you work for Flowserve?

I've been out there a few times. It gets cold in the winters. I strongly advise moving south.

[CRPerryJr]

Welcome from a fellow Michigander. Please give a shout if you need any assistance. I'm still rather new too, but I may help you head off some "gotchas" I came across while building and calibrating my Rostock Max V2.

[ramai]

Lets hear a few of the "gotchas" you ran into. I'm mid build, so I'm curious.

[CRPerryJr]

Lets hear a few of the "gotchas" you ran into. I'm mid build, so I'm curious.

The two that got me during the build are: (Taken from my build log)

1. Instructions mention a string to strip the 18 ga. wire sheath. (Step 6, pg 80) Mine didn't have that string, but I used the bare wire to the same effect.
2. Orientation of the top plate is important, but not mentioned in the instructions. I put mine on upside down, and had to take it apart to flip it over. (Step 7, pg 91-94)

During initial calibration:
1. Read, Reread, then Follow the instructions on each and every step.
2. Calibration is an art, not a science.

[ramai]

Thanks, that's helpful. You're keeping a build log? What a great idea, I like that.
I ran into the same issue with the 18ga wire. I had to come up with a different kind of "fish" (ended up using filament) only to find a nice sturdy wire in the 22ga.
I'm nervous about the calibration. I remember how long it took to get my printrbot jr dialed in.

[Jimustanguitar]

No, but I plan on it. I am also planning on going to a MakerHive meeting eventually. Thanks for the suggestion!

See you at The Hive!

[velocilobster]

Okay, I finished my build last night. Started my fan shroud, and it seemed to be printing well, in fact the prints start out better than they do at the office with our Type A Series 1. But about 30 minutes in the glue came loose and I needed to go to bed...so it will have to wait until tonight.

My only "real" gotcha was that I didn't quadruple check that I ran all of the wires up the posts. I realized as I was plugging in my RAMBo that I forgot to run a pair of layer/shroud fan wires. I ended up running it under one of the wheels on the cheapskate on the Y axis post...seems to be working well, and I honestly didn't want to take everything apart again and risk having a stripped out nut or weakened melamine connection.

You also might want to install the spool holder at the same time as the extruder, it was pretty hard for me to install the spool holder after with a normal size screwdriver. While a tiny one fits, you can't get enough torque to thread through those nylon nuts. Maybe my hands are just too big though.

Only thing I wish I did better was the silicone application on my hot end, there were a few small air bubbles (i think) around the resistors and that caused some smoke/popping when I was calibrating it, scared the heck out of me.

[velocilobster]

I remember how long it took to get my printrbot jr dialed in.

I have never calibrated a printer myself before yesterday and it took me about 30 minutes. It is incredibly easy and the manual walks you through it very well.

I almost wish it was more technical so I could have gone through it faster...haha.

[ramai]

Great job, I can't wait to see your first successful print.
I'm still not done but I'm getting close. I'm about to install the hot end. I have the trick laser top hat and light ring though so I'm trying to figure how they fit into the picture.
The hardest part for me so far has been installing the carbon fiber arms from trick laser. You have to thread nylon washers onto 6 posts a quarter turn at a time and it takes hours.

[jmpreuss]

Hi there.

My name is Tom, I am a 25 year old programmer from South West Michigan. Just got my first 3D printer in the mail: a Rostock MAX v2. Currently, I am waiting on an Amazon shipment with my RTV and Kapton tape, but I am going to get started tonight, and should hopefully be done by the beginning of next week!

While this is my first printer, I am pretty familiar with 3D printing (I work at http://quantum3dprinting.com), and have been around a printer for 2 years or so.

Apologies for not welcoming you sooner but I have been on vacation. I am a member of the above mentioned Kalamazoo Makers Guild and part of the team trying to start a local maker space. The Guild typically has a monthly meeting at the AirZoo the first Saturday on the month, though I don't know when the July one will be (check out the meetup website http://www.meetup.com/kalamazoo-makers-guild/ ). We have a large number of SeeMeCNC users, at last count I think there were over 20 Rostock max/Orions in town.

I am curious about your company, being its filament and I live 4 miles away. Is it just an admin office or is there a filament warehouse there?

Anyway, welcome to the forums and to our area.

[velocilobster]

PM Sent jmpreuss

[Eaglezsoar]

Great to see that you purchased a Rostock Max velocilobster.
I checked on your Company's offerings and will be purchasing the ABS when it becomes available.
Happy Printing!

[velocilobster]

Glad to hear!

No clue when ABS will become available, I haven't heard much about it since I finished the website.

Make sure to try a free(ish) sample!