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I'm really starting to consider building my own printer (I really, really, really want one. Really. Did I mention really?). The Rostock MAX looks pretty much perfect, it's got the build volume I want, the reputation, and besides that its a pretty sexy printer. I mean delta? It's just awesome. I have access to aluminum extruded parts, as well as a laser cutter. Assuming I can cover those on my end, does anyone know a rough estimate of what it would cost for the other parts (extruder, electronics, etc)? Not looking for a detailed report, just a really ballpark range on what it would take. Any help would be good. Maybe one of you will say something like $1,000,000. Maybe that would help me get over not having a printer

There isn't really a ton of markup on most printer kits.

The electronics are the bulk of the cost, SeeMeCNC doesn't use the cheapest electronics and steppers, so you could probably shave some dollars there.
If you are going to DIY there are probably easier printers to source and build even deltas.
But roughly 100-250 for the controller (depending on the corners you cut) 100 for 4 steppers, 100 for the Hotend, you'd probably need to buy the arms and platform and ancillary cheapskate parts, extruder etc from SeeMeCNC, say 100-200, you'll need a heated bed $60, borosilicate plate , extrusions, wiring, fasteners etc etc....

Basically it all adds up, you'd need to put together a spreadsheet to get a real estimate, and don't forget to include shipping, the reason kits make sense to a lot of people, is the shipping can be a killer when you have to ship from 4 or 5 different vendors.

You're already selling parts, etc so I'm wondering why you ask.

Buy the kit, you'll be happy.

Basically the extrusion and laser cut parts are the cheapest things that's what I thought

Yeah, the kit really is at a nice price for all of that. Shipping really does kill. Makes me wonder how you SeeMe is making a profit at all!

JohnStack wrote:You're already selling parts, etc so I'm wondering why you ask.

Buy the kit, you'll be happy.

Haha, I sell the dampers so I can put money towards a printer. I'm really hoping no one asks how to install them, because I have no clue . Right now a printer is kind of a "once I leave the house and go to college" project, but it never hurts to start saving for it now and getting some of the parts. My parents are wary of my projects now though, having a heater and molten plastic around might be one too many things for them. But college isn't too far away, so it's worth thinking about!

You would be hard pressed to source the parts and do it for less money than the Rostock Max costs. If you can afford it the kit is the way to go.

If you're serious, go through the entire assembly manual and collate all the parts and hardware into a shopping list.
Figure out where to source each part from and how much it will cost to do so, including shipping if you can't find it locally.
Ramps 1.4+Arudino Mega+Drivers will be cheaper than Rambo, but you'll need a greater understanding of how to configure both hardware and software.
LCD and front panel are a luxury feature, you can omit them and still function.
Even the stuff you think you can make yourself likely has a materials cost.
You'll have to buy someone's extruder, that's a pretty easy cost to nail down once you decide which.

Anyway, once you've done all that work, add it all up and that'll tell you how to proceed.

If you are really hard pressed for $$s - I mean really hard pressed, I might take a look at a Mini Kossel. Personally, I think for the price difference (about $300), a Rostock Max is the right route to go - primarily since it's tried and tested. The R2 is excellent.

I would not take the acquire your own. Eaglesoar is right. It's easier to buy the kit - plus you get warranty on everything. That's something people generally discount - but with SeeMeCNC, it's a real thing...

Yeah, I know the idea of building and sourcing it yourself seems cool but for the first one I would go with a kit like the MAX v2. Trust me, I am designing my own printer and had to source all the parts and bits and pieces on my own and purchasing from so many different vendors is such a pain and so expensive, I've got well over a grand, probably closer to 2 grand invested into my prototype and you always seem to forget how much stuff like screws, nuts, washers, extra wire, ect. costs, its the small stuff that really sneaks up on you, before you know it you're like "Oh Sh*t did I really just spend this much money!!?" lol. So I think consensus is to go with a kit, if you choose the Rostock Max kit you will be very happy and you still get to build it from the ground up, SeeMeCNC just sourced all the parts for you. And I'll tell you what the guys at SeeMeCNC are absolutely F*@king incredible!!! They will go out of their way and pull from their own pockets to help their customers, never have I had better service with anything! I mean anything at all not just 3d printers! Go with the Max kit, you'll be happy you did!

Eric wrote:If you're serious, go through the entire assembly manual and collate all the parts and hardware into a shopping list.
Figure out where to source each part from and how much it will cost to do so, including shipping if you can't find it locally.
Ramps 1.4+Arudino Mega+Drivers will be cheaper than Rambo, but you'll need a greater understanding of how to configure both hardware and software.
LCD and front panel are a luxury feature, you can omit them and still function.
Even the stuff you think you can make yourself likely has a materials cost.
You'll have to buy someone's extruder, that's a pretty easy cost to nail down once you decide which.

Anyway, once you've done all that work, add it all up and that'll tell you how to proceed.

I bet if you do what Eric suggests here you will find that you are going to spend more than the kit costs!

Hah! Well you all have convinced me. I'm really one of those guys who figures "I'll just build it myself", but in this case it's just easier and cheaper to get a kit (especially with warranty, support, and an active user group!). Plus, right now I don't know much about 3d printers, so better for someone else to have made the mistakes before I do

So- the savings has begun!

Don't worry. You'll be making custom homemade pieces to customize it soon enough

astroboy907 wrote:Hah! Well you all have convinced me. I'm really one of those guys who figures "I'll just build it myself", but in this case it's just easier and cheaper to get a kit (especially with warranty, support, and an active user group!). Plus, right now I don't know much about 3d printers, so better for someone else to have made the mistakes before I do

So- the savings has begun!

Great decision!

astroboy907 wrote:Hah! Well you all have convinced me. I'm really one of those guys who figures "I'll just build it myself", but in this case it's just easier and cheaper to get a kit (especially with warranty, support, and an active user group!). Plus, right now I don't know much about 3d printers, so better for someone else to have made the mistakes before I do

So- the savings has begun!

You will not be disappointed! I love my Max, building, upgrading, modding it, and of course using it has all been a wonderful experience, I have learned a lot, made a lot of good friends on here and loved every minute of it! I remember when I was dreaming about getting a Rostock Max, I would always go to the SeeMeCNC site and check it out and searched for everything about them on the internet, the wait time for the shipment was the worst!!