Why Buy An Ender 3 In 2022?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 พ.ค. 2024
- Pick up your VOXELPLA here!:
voxelpla.com/
Love the channel? Consider supporting me on Patreon:
www.patreon.com/user?u=806627
ModBot Merch Store is now live! Get yours here:
bit.ly/3qhJ8Yl
Join the official ModBotArmy discord server: / discord
In today's video we take a look at the Ender 3. This printer was a huge step forward for budget 3d printers when it released back in 2018. I have owned multiple and preordered one when they launched. There are lots of other options out there now so why still get one? Today we look a bit more into the Ender 3 as well as the many directions you can go with it.
Subscribe To ModBotArmy For Weekly Streams!:
/ @modbotarmyy
Buy the Ender 3 (AFF):
amzn.to/3UctFpl
Video On KP3S:
• Is The Kingroon KP3S W...
Video On Creality Ender 3 S1:
• Worth The Price? Creal...
First 24 Upgrades & Mods for my Ender 3 Pro - Part 1:
• First 24 Upgrades for ...
CHEP Ender 3 Playlist:
• Ender 3
Get Return Ender 3's On Ebay (AFF):
ebay.us/AzBlvc
Ender 3 To SwitchWire GitHub:
github.com/boubounokefalos/En...
Steve Builds Ender 3 Switchwire Streams:
• Ender3 Pro to Switchwire
KevinAkaSam Github:
github.com/kevinakasam/BeltDr...
KevinAkaSam Website:
kevinakasam.com/belt-driven-e...
Purchase The MicroSwiss NG:
store.micro-swiss.com/product...
ExoSlide Website:
exoslide.com
ExoSlide Ender 3 XZ Kit:
www.exoslide.com/products/kit...
ExoSlide Extruder & Hotend:
www.exoslide.com/products/har...
Ender 3 IDEX:
enderidex.com/
Video On Ender 3 IDEX:
• Ender 3 IDEX: DIY Dual...
Purchase Ender 3 Belt Kit Here:
www.fabreeko.com/collections/...
Aurora Tech Ender 3 Belt Video:
• Turn your Ender 3 into...
Find Out About The Recreator 3d:
recreator3d.com/
Tom's Video On The Recreator 3d:
• Trash to treasure: Con...
(´∀｀)♡ As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases:
Buy now on Amazon: amzn.to/2jQAOgV
Subscribe To My 3d Printing Blog! :
Lets Get Social!
Facebook: / dopesoner930
Twitter: / dopesoner930
Instagram: / modbotarmy
Twitch: / dopesoner930
Still running my Ender 3 into 2023 😊
Mine is starting to piss me off but i still love it got a few upgrades for it so far but i definitely want a cr 30 lol
@@XxDutchysPackinxX I am planning on getting one, and i want to know what is pissing you off with it?
@@XxDutchysPackinxXgot mine 2 year ago
Put over 1k in
Next year I'm gonna buy a bambu
2024 now baby, but I'm also running an anet a8 soooo
I’m very happy to see that you enjoy the Belt mod that much :) Also I’m very glad that the mod made it to the list and even onto the thumbnail! Thank you very much for all the feedback
Thank you for the insane amount of work that you put into your mod as well as supporting it with documentation.
Because it‘s the best belt mod on the „market“. 👍😬
#beltmodgang
@@ModBotArmy- just wondering and curious
After I got Ender 3 , I was playing . the sd card fell into 3D Printing it was on accident. I put butter knife trying to get sd card unfortunately no lucky - After that - blue screen is saying No TF CARD
What should I do next ?
I’ve had my Ender 3 Pro for almost 2 years now. I’ve since upgraded it with the 32-bit 4.2.7 board, BLTouch and Micro Swiss NG direct drive kit. The Ender 3 is a printer that just keeps on giving. I’ve tried to be conservative with my modding and concentrate on things that will make the printer as care free as possible. Some of the featured mods in your video do look interesting and I have to look into them.
I got the $100 ender 3 pro microcenter deal. No regrets. Still mostly stock too. Been using it a couple times a week with good results (aside from issues with specific filaments but that's not the machine fault)
Edit: bought 6 months ago mid 2022
I’ve been getting into 3D printing via a few older machines but I don’t know anything about coding and I have an office job so tinkering has always been something I’ve done when needed and without any training, just mucking around trying to fix stuff. The Ender 3 series is intimidating for someone like me but I also love the idea of modding the hell out of one and using it as a base to learn how to do all this stuff.
I guess if I can find one cheap like you I will take the plunge and see how it goes because there certainly is one helluva community for that machine.
You’ve been killing it it’s really great content. Enjoyed the options and now has been considering the future of my ender3 pro.
You've become my favorite 3d printer channel. Another great video. Had no idea there were those belt convertions. Might have to give it go with my Ender 3 V2 that's sitting around
I started my 3D journey 5 months ago with the E3 V2. This machine has taught me so much about 3D printing its crazy. Sure there are a lot of printers with more and its great if thats what you want. But I wanted to learn about how these printers work and the all that you can do with them. Theres so much to learn about 3D printing the Ender 3 is a perfect machine to learn on and with. its like Barbie for 3D printing, accessories everyhere.
I agree
I just finished the silent mod for my E3 V2 using noctua fans, the project has been a blast and the result very satisfying
I'm also using belted z system form Kevin aka sam, for bout year, and it's very good, enjoying it on my ender 3 non pro
Mine arrives tomorrow :D
For people outside of the US who cant get a $100 deal on an Ender 3 the Sovol SV01 Classic is a great buy, its an Ender 3 open source clone with direct drive and a silent 32-bit board, Meanwell power supply, 240 X 280 X 300 build size, filament runout detection, optional BL Touch, dual Z leadscrews + dual motors and all for $199 its a no brainer!, even getting an Ender 3 for $100 and upgrading it to these specs would cost at least $300
I'm surpriced how ender 3 have held up the time, and its still the go-to budget printer. I have mine, just took it back to work printing petg at 245c and have enclosure. I have done small but beneficial mods to it. Not yet planning to do any other mods but as I saw I have plenty of options! Thx for the video! 👍
I have an ender 3 pro for 2 years now am doing a switch wire conversion and it's going great so far keep up the awesome content bro
Nice to see your channel in its intended place, modding printers rather than just another review or build channel…. 👍🏾
I agree. Having gone through several printers and modding them I recently got 2 Ender 3 Pros and an Ender 5 all between $80-100. Many printers have mods, but as soon as you start mixing and matching parts together you usually run into issues and have to back track or change your plans. Haven't had that with the Enders.
Super informative video. Well done bru
I bought my Ender 3 a year ago not knowing anything about 3d printing. It now has a Micro-swisse NG extruder and is running Klipper firmware. Those upgrades have transformed my printer both in terms of quality and reliability. I can't recommend the Micro-swisse enough - it's fantastic!
I just bought an ender 3 v2 as my first printer. I'm loving it so far, already printed a filament guide and ordered springs for the bed leveling, but watching this might have started a new addiction for me xD
Good video, pointed out the best reason to purchase an Ender 3 - as a set of parts to start a mod with. I never had a 3, instead bought the Ender 5 when it first came out. I now have three sitting in a corner all with many mods, but have moved to 2 Rat Rigs and an Ender 5 Plus.
Thanks for the mention. I still like a stock Ender 3 Pro (with minor mods) but you showed a great array of Ender 3 mods. Well done.
Great comprehensive video! We do the same, buying Amazon returns on eBay, then re-fitting them with ExoSlides for our print farm units. looks like the competition is about to get tighter for those units!
Haha Oh no! I already noticed there were less. I am sure it may be seasonal as well and after Christmas there will be many more return units.
i would absoluitly love to see a weekly "budget" upgrade from a stock ender 3 v2 or equivalent! i only have a few prints done with mine but would love to see what effective upgrades can be done by printing parts, or purchased.
Another great video as always!
I got started 3D printing in 2017 using a Tevo Tarantula. The next printer I purchased was an Ender 3 and it is currently printing ABS parts for an Ender 3 Pro to Switchwire conversion. They are great little printers and can be tuned well stock or taken over the top 'Pimp My Ride' style.
I made a Ender IDEX mod I call the Ender Arrow, it will be released as open source in 2023.
It's a full MGN rail machine with dual belt lifts for Z run from a common drive axle and motor that is tucked under the frame at a 5:1 ratio. That allows the spool holders to remain on top but it also means relocating the mainboard from under the printer. The downside of Z belt lift is the x carriage is heavier with IDEX and usually drops when steppers are turned off. For that I added a simple servo brake so it stays put vs crashing into your print, was a simple mod to Klipper code to automate the brake. The dual direct drives are as narrow as possible, about as wide as the BMG extruder they use with V6 hotends.
I've been talking with a company to produce and supply the aluminum parts I made by hand in case others just want to buy machined parts. I run klipper with an Octopus and it's been doing great, have not tried it with Marlin.
Great video. I converted one of my Ender3 v2’s with the switchwire mod as per Steve Builds video series. It really improved the print quality considerably. I have one more E3V2 left and looking for a mod for it. Your examples will be a great resource!! Thanks.
Awesome vid as always. I have the Ender 3 pro (first and modded printed) FLSUN Q5 (second) and, just opened up my Ender 3V2 and can't wait to mod that bad boy.
My 1st printer is/used to be an Ender 3 V2. It is really a great machine to learn on especially since you can often get it for around $200. Highly recommend the enders for beginners over basically all of the competition. You might not get the best quality, you might have some issues that others do not, but in the end you will have more knowledge into how printers actually work and how your slicer affects them. Personally, I also say beginners should stay away from auto bed leveling systems (ABL) as it is much more important to properly learn how to tram your bed rather than always letting software correct your errors.
I started with a ender 3 pro then got a ender 3 v2 shortly after and then ordered a voron 2.4. Both my enders have the bondtech lgx and belted z mod along with some other smaller things. They are great budget printers to mod
I own a ender 3 pro and I started my 3d printing hobby about 8 months ago when I got it, although not completely obsolete and there are many better choices regarding stock printers for the price, but I'd still recommend it, I learned soo much not only with 3d printers, but also flashing code to pcb boards, electric work, and even some gcode. If you have the chance and you like tinkering then I recommend picking one up
I just bought an Ender 3 a month ago and I'm loving it! I've had it running for several hours a day and it's great.
My first printer was an Ender 3 V2, which I have since converted into a custom IDEX machine with linear rails and Stealthburner toolheads. I also recently bought a Pro from Microcenter, and immediately swapped to an SKR board running Klipper firmware and a better cooling duct before even turning it on. Though I gotta say, as much as I love my Ender 3's, I kinda wish I had started with an Ender 5 and gone down the path of converting it to coreXY.
Great video as always!
been working with cnc laser cladding for 10 years. I was looking for a replacement for a mtb part, couldnt find it or when i did it was sold out. thought about 3d printing, dearched for companies to print one, found out that buying a 3d printer was the best step as these companies were charging waaaaaay too much for just a few hub spacers.
Ender 3 pro was one of the cheaper options but had the best reviews and overall score.
One week in and i am printing polycarbonate, carbon fiber nylon and carbon fiber pla, after some mods and upgrades.
It all works the same as the Sinumerik CNC machines i work with (except for the g-code language differences of course) and i have 0 regret of buying the printer. i am even getting requests from firends to print them stuff and i can buy at least pone full spool of filament for every piece i sell them.
So it's actually making me money.
3d printing is nice, i like it!
I just got an Ender 3 Pro for Christmas. I will definitely be looking at the mods mentioned in this video.
Just picked up an Ender 3 Pro about a month ago with that $100 deal at Micro Center.
Definitely got me into this hobby and have already added upgrades and am looking at more, on top of looking at getting a higher end machine to add to my collection
I started with an ANET A8, and it's still going strong and producing better results than the Ultimakers we use at university. With proper care and maintenance, you can achieve awesome things with the simplest and cheapest machines. During the years, i've had many many machines. And when asking me, which 3D Printer someone should get in 2022 as a beginner or an advanced user, i'd recommend the Ender 3 S1 or the Artillery Genius Pro. I wouldn't recommend a "normal" Ender 3 or ANET A8 anymore.
Just picked up my first printer, a used Ender 3 Neo. Excited to outgrow it and start my mod rebuild haha
currently in the process of converting my E3V2 into a Switchwire! printing parts as I watch this :)
I started back in February this year with an E3 V2, with the specific goal of just having something to mod and tinker with. I have not regretted the decision. At this point I’m confident I could purchase almost any printer from eBay that is “broken” and make what I want out of it. I’ve spent more money than I care to admit on my first and only machine, but I’d like to say it’s been worth all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained. At this point I’m even tempted to purchase older or broken SLA machines and repair those to working order rather than spend a small fortune on a new one.
I own an Ender 3 but it's been collecting dust for the past couple years. I did some mods like SKR mini E3, BL Touch & part cooling and it was an okay printer. I currently have an MK3S+, a couple Bears and a couple Vorons that are taking up the space that I have available and are better printers than the Ender 3. A Switchwire conversion for it sounds like an interesting project so maybe someday I'll do it.
I started with an Ender 3 pro and still have it with the Ender idex kit on it I have the first kit in the UK I have loved my modding journey with it.
Solid!
Top KEK!
Peace be with you.
I used to own an ender 3, then an ender 3 pro, but I got sick of manual bed leveling. At the time I wasn't aware of all the mods I could add and I just sold it. I bought a Neptune 3, but the auto leveling barely worked and there was no way to manually adjust it, so I returned that. I then pre ordered an x1 carbon and it just recently arrived and I love it. It is so fast, the auto bed leveling works perfect everytime, and the prints look beautiful. I run an Etsy shop and this machine has been a lifesaver. I plan on buying an ender 3 and doing the dual extrusion mod.
That belted Ender 3 conversion kit blew my mind. I'll have to pick another ender just to do that mod. Holy!
Just about a week ago, I picked up an Ender 3 V2, and so far I absolutely love it!
I would like to add that the original Ender 3 not only became the ideal "tinker" 3D printer because it is not only very easy to modify, but also because Creality open sourced their firmware. That opened up a LOT of information about the inner workings, and gave people the opportunity to tinker not only mechanically, but also on the software side. It paved the way for alternative electronics like BTT motherboards.
Sadly Creality stopped open sourcing their later products. Especially their core x-y series are a "black box" in that respect, and it would not surprise me if that contributed to the unpopularity of those models. They where not really great "out of the box", and would probably could have been massively improved if people had access to the inner parameters used in those machines to make adjustments. Creality choose to be secretive and shot themselves in the foot here in my humble opinion.
Lucky enough for the latest S-1 model there seems to be a fan Marlin project going on to improve the standard stock firmware and improve and expand the settings you can do from the LCD screen. So far there are no alternative main boards available (and honestly the stock main seems to be not bad at all, besides the 256Mb limitation that is). Maybe E3D will release a Revo version of the Sprite extruder (not the whole assembly of course) in the near future? Well - You can dream and hope yes?
My favorite ender mod is my personal “Prusa Bear Ender” mod which is basically the ender frame running a bear mod. I really just like the reliability of prusa printers and it prints so well with the dual z axis
fantastic compilation of E3 projects/products.
Wow. This is great. I knew about none of this and have and Ender3 Pro. Waiting for Prusa XL…but a lot of this could be fun to play with going forward
For my first, and only, printer, so far. I went with the Homers Tarantula. I has been a fascinating journey; learning about 3D Printing, and modding the hell out of the printer, while the community has been growing the FDM 3D Printing paradigm by leaps and bounds.
I bought my first Ender 3 v2 back in Feb 21. I've made a few changes to it but nothing changed mechanically. I updated the hot end shroud cover and updated the fans to Noctua. I also added a Raspberry Pi with Octoprint. I also recently added a CR touch and upgraded to a PEI plate. I've been thinking about updating some other hardware but didn't know what do do next. Thanks for the video. I'm thinking linear rails, direct drive, or maybe dual Z next.
i got an ender 3 2 yearts ago and just upgraded to a artillery sidewinder x2 and holy shit did it make me love printing again its so stable and never fails i can just press start walk away and when i come back its printing great
Cooper Zurad’s ‘Valentine’ mod for the Ender 3 is also an interesting one. Uses the kinematics system and an electrochemical etching reaction to cut sheet steel.
Hey I know that guy!
I got my first Ender 3 in 2018 (when they came out) and I still have it, it has gone through quite a few changes. Currently running a Micro Swiss direct drive (not NG... YET), an SKR Mini E3 V3 running Klipper via a raspberry pi 3B, dual Z screws, a BL Touch. I love to tinker, I also have a second Ender 3 that is slightly modded, SKR E3 v1.2 w/touch screen, a BL Touch, still running the stock extruder! (I also have 6 other printers, delta's and core xy and prusas.)
I bought an Ender 3 v2 about a year and a half ago. I have several mods. Bed springs to silicone rubber, Micro Swiss direct drive, Slice Engineering Copperhead heat break, Red Squirrel duct, quiet fans, extended the Z height to 350mm, dual Z axis motors, put larger fans on the mainboard and power supply, flashed the system with Jyers firmware and UI, added a BL touch, printed a bed handle and extended the feet by about 30mm to get more air under the PSU and mainboard. It's no speed demon but it's almost completely silent when printing and the prints are top notch.
The upgraded board for the v1 ender 3 was huge. Hard to believe how much louder the machine was with the original board. And it's easy to add a BLTouch with the upgraded board
Got an Ender 3 for Christmas, which is my very first 3D printer. I never really got one because I didn't think I'd have anything to print. Now I've got a list and am basically printing something every day. As far as customization goes, I've some minor 3D printed parts and I've installed OctoPrint and Klipper onto it so I can access it anywhere on our LAN, as well as created some custom gcode so I can change the filament mid-print so I can change colors at certain layers. While I don't have prints from other machines to compare, it does seem to print nicely once the settings are dialed in.
I'm still running an old CR-10 mini, its been such a solid printer for me, finally giving it a holiday and updated Marlin ro 2.1, adding Klipper, a dual Z axis kit, and BL Touch...
ive had my ender 3 pro for a little while now and have had a lot of fun slowly upgrading it. having the touch an glass bed in shiping right now
I bought one last year and added a bi-metalic heartbreak for higher temp filaments. Bout all I really changed. Been working fine for me.
Great video! I had an Anycubic Kossel that stopped working; then i bought and Ender 3 from a friend for 100€ and finally I mix them up to create a core XY Voron style printer, and OH BOY, it's fucking awesome. I also designed a tool change mechanism from scratch and it works flawlessly. Very impressive to see it running!!
I have had my ender for six years now or so.
It’s been through so many modifications it doesn’t even look the same anymore, but it’s still one of my most reliable
This video is highly relevant to my interests.
Still running a Ender 3 Pro that I bought for my first printer back in 2019. It is pretty much stock except for some printed upgrades. I’m one with if it’s not broke don’t fix it but when it does upgrade the part to something better. I also manly use it for RC stuff so it doesn’t get used hard.
I just bought one last week in 2024 and boy let me tell you how much fun i'm having with this thing.
Same
It's great to see the Ender 3 is still going strong and forming the basis for so many interesting conversions. The versatility of open source 3D printing never ceases to impress. Creality3D was initially feeling regretful that making an OSHWA printer was allowing for so much clone activity. But the machine has achieved its longevity precisely because it boldly set standards for an inexpensive yet decent commodity printer which have been largely followed across the market. And it opened up this huge secondary market for mods that is bound to sell more Enders. I think we can call this one a win for the RepRap ethos.
I just converted my original Ender 3 to direct drive (I designed the head myself) with BMG clone and Volcano hotend, and switched to Klipper firmwere.
And the printer works just fine!
I look forward to seeing your Exo Slide extruder and hot end video. I wonder how it compares to the Micro Swiss NG?
I have a stock Ender 3 Pro V1 and I'm definitely going to do the Kevin AKA Sam upgrade. But I'm wondering what printer head I should go with.
An s1 was my first printer and it worked great out of the box.
I love my Ender 3V2, full silent mod with the briss fang is a great mod.
A friend of mine donated a brand new Ender 3 v2 to me last month and I've been having a blast finally being able to crank out some retro computer stuff that I wasn't able to do without a 3D printer. I had previously bought a super cheap Threed K1 as my very 1st 3D printer and that thing broke after only 1 hour of usage and zero successful prints. I can't express how happy I am with my Ender 3!
About the Recreator 3D, seems like a really cool project and much cheaper than building a shedder and filament extruder for PET bottles...
Already printed every part needed and I have all electronics, so i'm going to "recycle" them and make one!
In near future, i'll make a video building one on my channel ✌
Picked Up my second ender 3 pro from Microcenter for $80. Added all the upgrades and still came about $80 under what a V2 would cost. I'm happy with that.
I started with the Ender 3- standard. I still have and use it. I wasn't sure i would enjoy 3D printing so i bought the cheapest printer that reviewers liked. 8 months later I have 6 3d printers, all of them modded and one designed and built by myself (with many Ender 3 parts.) I love this hobby! 3D printing/ designing/ modding engages my ADHD brain like nothing I've done before.
Not gone beyond the step of having more than one, yet but yeah with you in everything there.
💯 on the (only) reasons to buy an Ender 3. It's a project platform with a plethora of compatible manufactured and printable parts for mods or turning it into something completely different. Not a product that makes any sense to buy and run stock.
I own an original ender 3 I got in 2019 and recently bought an original ender 3 for my 15 yr old cousin for Christmas. I got my Ender 3 in 2019 for $189 and last Dec they were on sale for $132. My power supply is modded to include a usb power port on the power supply to run a USB light bar I also added a noctua fan.
When I chose to dive into 3D printing, I wanted one that was low cost, reliable and well known to tinkeres. I likened it to the Toyota Camry of 3D printers. It has been exactly that for me.
I got an Ender 3 Pro a few weeks ago. I didn't honestly know a lot about the different models or I probably would of bought a different one.
However, I do actually really enjoy tinkering. And realized really early on that I can do a whole lot to this little machine and make it my own.
I'm confident in saying I've already spent more than I should have and most definitely could of had more bang for my buck if I just bought a fancier machine upright.
Dual gear extruder, BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3, glass bed, part cooling upgrades, etc. She does what I need her to and she's pretty quiet so I'm happy.
Running my Ender 3 v2 in 2024. Got it couple month ago used and it's kind of my new hobby :P
Yep! I have the Ender 3 Pro. I got it in March from Microcenter for $100. I am currently doing the Belted Z mod from Kevinakasam after that I will be building my own IDEX with dual nossles. I not sure if you call it an IDEX at that point with 4 exturders on it! You forgot to mention the Ender Extender kit. I just finished the that project. It's great! But there is a learning curve to building it and I would recommend to buy a bigger bed then the one that comes with it.
I just got an Ender 3 v2 for Christmas. My first printer.
My Ender 3 v1 is still going strong. Added a glass bed and an all metal extruder. Those, combined with CHEP's ultra fast cura profile make it a very fast , high quality machine
My 3D priting jurney have started 6 months ago when I purchased Ender 3 max. I bought it for 250€. It is curently my only printer. A few months ago I’ve started to mod it, but i quickly realise that it is not as easy, as it is on normal Ender 3, mainly becase of the bigger size and many upgrades I have to design my self and upgrades that I can’t print is harder to source. I’ve added sencond lead screw, dual gear extruder btt skr v3 and I currently working on setting up octoprint via btt cb1 and pi4b adapter and some other upgrades.
I like my ender and I like to thinker with it, but it is time consuming and harder than I would like to.
I have an Ender 3 that I originally nodded to a dual-z, with linear rails on the x and y and the original micro Swiss DD kit. I just picked up an "unrepair" E3 on eBay to do the belt conversion. The printer cost me $75 shipped to my door so now it's just a matter of getting the conversion kit.
I have two ender 3 pros, one I intend on turning into a XL 400/400/300 and the other will be converted to a dual extrusion printer. Big plans for 2023!
I’ve got a S1 Plus that is pretty much stock except for a new fan bracket and PEI sheet. I also have a base Ender 3 running a Sprite Pro, CR Touch, silicone bushings, and a PEI sheet all on Klipper. Pretty soon I want to do a linear tail and Kevinakasam comversion
You had mentioned the biqu b1. I have one but recently purchased a s1 that has taken over as the daily. I want to do something with it because it’s what got me into printing but haven’t really seen anything mod wise. Do you have any recommendations?
I have an Ender 3 I bought a little over 2 years ago with the two upgrades being the CR Touch and a 32 bit motherboard
What I love about the ender 3 is that creality just upgrades it themselves but keeps the og ender 3 for those who want to tinker with it
That conversion to a switchwire isn't a bad idea. Been looking for something that can be enclosed and was thinking that a Voron 0.1 is too small and a Voron 2.4 is getting up there, so was looking at the trident or switchwire, knowing now that I can hack apart a used ender 3 to get most of what I need seems to be a logical move from a cost and size standpoint.
My first 3D printer was a DIY one and still in progress after 2 years trying to get it working nicely...
When I bought a Ender 3 V2, i just loved it how it worked nice out of the box...
Now I have 2x Ender 3 V2 and the DIY printer needs to be finished 😂
I've had an ender 3 since 2018. so far I have installed a bltouch ABL sensor, an all metal (still mk8 clone) hotend (so i could print abs without burning ptfe which is a carcinogen), a bmg clone (still boden) extruder, have needed to swap out mainboards twice (the stock one's usb port just came off one day, and on the btt skr mini e3 1.3 that i replaced it with, one of my drivers died, so i replaced it with a btt skr mini e3 3.0 which has way better cooling), i've replaced the standard build plate surface with a magnetic springsteel pei sheet that's 2-sided (smooth on one side and powder coated textured on the other, i prefer the smooth), i've replaced SO MANY v-slot wheels (they wear out reasonably quickly but they're cheap), and I built a custom cardboard-box enclosure for it so I could avoid warping for abs parts. I also installed klipper on it because it's WAY easier to change parameters and it's way more straight forward, which also means i've mounted a raspberry pi on it as well and a webcam which allows me to remotely initiate and monitor prints. Most recently I printed all the parts I needed to build my 350mm LDO Voron 2.4 kit which is now almost done.
I have the sen3d idex kit on a ender 3 with a 400x400x500 xl conversion also. Kane is great and a lot of help.
I started just over a year ago and I've modded my 3pro several times. All metal hotend, direct drive extruder, and several of the tack-on printables like the micro SD to full SD cards. I don't see myself stripping it down for parts any time soon!
I actually just this Black Friday bought an Ender 3 for really cheap (around 130-60) and it's served me very well the past month! I don't think I'll end up modfing it for some time...
I own 2 ender 3s with all the standard mods. I still recommend the ender 3 to anyone who wants to get into 3d printing because for the most part it just works and there is endless help for it on TH-cam and elsewhere online.
Many reasons to buy an Ender 3. Large selection of parts and upgrades parts to choose from or upgrade to. Repairs are on an average very cheap and quick to do. A vast array of optional store bought or 3d printed DIY upgrades or variants. The option of buying machines super cheap to use as parts machines. I can buy a used or sale Ender 3/Pro for under $100 to a bit over, then put a $10 metal extruder, Capricorn or Tuff Tube, a nice copper with wear resistant coating and bi metal heatbreak, buy metal spacers to insert in printed solid bed mounts, then pick a BL Touch or TH3D EZ ABL kit then flash the firmware. Now I have a very good printing dependable machine that I can print ABS, nylon, PC, PetG, and CF blends by tossing it in a tent for a total of around $200 or less.
Oh and I spent less time in the total build and I didn't spend almost a grand for a machine that will serve me no better but does come with $.99 bag of gummies, petg printed functional parts, and freaking zip ties in key areas.
I have an ender 3 clone, the voxelab aquilla. BUT it had the sprite pro extruder, and klipper.
I bought a used Ender 3 for a friend. It cost $80 and I spent another $12 buying a new metal Extruder Assembly. What a killer printer it is. I had a hard time giving it to a friend. I have 4 FDM printers (and 2 resin), but I still want to get another Ender 3 for myself.
Was wondering if the z expansion is worth the investment
That Idex kit seems really interesting.
I might get that if it’s possible to upgrade it to use Microswiss direct drive hotends so it can also run tpu and high temp materials like cf nylon.
I got an ender 3 pro about 4 years ago and I just got an ender 3 v2 at micro center for $99! I couldn't help but pick one up for that price