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Just searching the interwebs for some openbeam kossel parts and came across this kit for $259 with free shipping to some countries. (no heated bed)

Not sure if it's worth it, but that seems cheap for what you get.

http://www.reprapmall.com/index.php?rou ... uct_id=114

Nothing there looks like quality parts, so I'd say you're actually over-paying. Extrusion is dirt cheap. Those plastic parts are likely garbage. The hardware is cheap, the electronics likely knockoffs that would cost $30. Might be okay for a toy for someone to play with.

See this terrible printed effector as their promotional picture...

yea, you're probably right. I know the Openbeam kossel I'm building is approaching the cost of a v2. Hopefully if performs just as-well.

Tincho85 wrote:See this terrible printed effector as their promotional picture...

Untitled-1.jpg

lol, looks like that pink hard bubble gum.

[img]https://mbetharmstrong.files.wordpress. ... 03/gum.jpg[/img]

I wish i could print in bubble gum..

We probably COULD print in bubble gum. I'll be converting my max v2 into an experimental mad scientist rig to try things like that and Silicone, Epoxy (PRINT WITH JB WELD!!!), etc.

i just bought a cheap prusa i3 for $255 shipped. The majority of the parts and frame are very flimsy. It took me hours leveling and squaring the frame. In short, the quality of print is 2 out of 10(10 being excellent quality) after calibration. Even calibration blocks are hard to print out of the box. While a well designed and better quality parts like the Rostock, you can assemble, attempt a decent calibration, and quality of your printed parts can be about 6 out of 10 or in par w/ machines that cost around 2k$ With better calibration, you can get 8/9 out of 10...IMHO.
Upgrading the cheaper parts to better parts and taking more time(a lot more time) to calibrate and trouble shoot may not be worth the money/time from buying the cheaper machine. But if you don't really care about quality of prints and you just want to slap something together and print, then the price may be worth it. I bought the cheaper variant since I had mods and improvements in mind, already. Plus, I wanted to learn another machine, so it was worth it to me. But then there are times when I step back and say, damn, what a pain in the ass! Taking lots of my time! Now I have to replace this, that...etc. At this point, in my build, i'm going to disassemble everything to replace rods and linear bearings since the cheap parts have too much play.

I purchased the Folger Tech metal framed i3 Prusa kit for 299 (b-day gift). My son wanted to get into 3d printing so we picked up the kit to get his feet wet. He's not one to tinker with stuff like this, so we'll see how he handles the assembly.

As for the parts kit, it looks decent enough. Verified the rods and extrusion are straight but that's about it. The printed parts look exactly as pictured, with some crazy vertical banding.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231572342806

KAS, good choice on the kit! I got the Sunhokey Prusa; https://www.3dprintersonlinestore.com/f ... usa-i3-kit

In my scenario, I went cheap to see what I can learn and improve. But yours is only 30$ more w/ extrusion tubes instead of my acrylic frame. That right there is great! Also, it comes w/ the LM8UU bearings, which I'm going to upgrade mine. From my previous post, i can barely print a calibration block. Judging from the ebay pictures of your kit, seems to include all the proper upgrades for the cheaper variants. I bet, just a good calibration and you should get pretty good quality out of it.

KAS wrote:I purchased the Folger Tech metal framed i3 Prusa kit for 299 (b-day gift). My son wanted to get into 3d printing so we picked up the kit to get his feet wet. He's not one to tinker with stuff like this, so we'll see how he handles the assembly.

As for the parts kit, it looks decent enough. Verified the rods and extrusion are straight but that's about it. The printed parts look exactly as pictured, with some crazy vertical banding.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231572342806

I built a Folger Tech Kossel 2020. The extruder was weak so I replaced it with a geared version. The acrylic spool holder broke off in a few minutes. I recommend checking thingiverse for printable upgrades.

I like this version of the Kossel with magnetic arms and a better looking printer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kossel-3D-print ... RK:MESE:IT

Eaglezsoar wrote:I like this version of the Kossel with magnetic arms and a better looking printer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kossel-3D-print ... RK:MESE:IT

That's a new one I haven't seen yet.


My son wont get the kit till the 13th. I'll take pics of everything then. I have a ton of upgrades I can toss his way, but I want him to get a grasp of what sucks first.

KAS wrote:

Eaglezsoar wrote:I like this version of the Kossel with magnetic arms and a better looking printer.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/kossel-3D-print ... RK:MESE:IT

That's a new one I haven't seen yet.


My son wont get the kit till the 13th. I'll take pics of everything then. I have a ton of upgrades I can toss his way, but I want him to get a gasp of what sucks first.

It was one of the better looking Kossels that I have seen and the magnetic arms would be cool for rapidly changing out hot ends. I planned on getting one in the Spring if I
can find the money.