Welcome to the SeeMeCNC Community

Hey guys,

This 3D Printing community looks a bit more active than reddit.com/r/3dprinting, so I think I will hunker down here a while and learn new things.

I was wondering if it is better to buy the kit or the hardware first. I want to use the Printrboard with my build for ease of use and mac compatibility (my machines are mac and I dont want to play with Mach3 for obvious reasons).

What would you say?


Oh, and thanks for welcoming me to this board



About me: I own a Macintosh repair store in NYC.
*Macintosh Technician [Apple Certified]
*Mac/iOS Developer

Buy the hardware - plus motors, it sounds like you have a Printrboard.

I have my H-1 built attached to a Sanguinololu 1.3a board running Repetier Host/Firmware. I make daily prints for things I need (usually late at night when I have time) and have had no problems with my setup.

Interestingly enough, I was worried by not using Mach3 I would not 'learn' G/M-code. Quite the opposite, I am actually going into the g-code and making tweaks as I see fit. I think in the next couple of years there is going to be a push in the 3D reprap community to standardize on a communication protocol (codes).

And welcome to the board!

michaellatif wrote:Buy the hardware - plus motors, it sounds like you have a Printrboard.

I have my H-1 built attached to a Sanguinololu 1.3a board running Repetier Host/Firmware. I make daily prints for things I need (usually late at night when I have time) and have had no problems with my setup.

Interestingly enough, I was worried by not using Mach3 I would not 'learn' G/M-code. Quite the opposite, I am actually going into the g-code and making tweaks as I see fit. I think in the next couple of years there is going to be a push in the 3D reprap community to standardize on a communication protocol (codes).

And welcome to the board!

Hm, I think that would be a good idea. I am just worried about not understanding how to control most printers, however the cheapness of the kit and expandability might just be perfect to satisfy my 3D printer 'fix'

I think you will like that board. I have the Gen 6, which is similar, but doesn't support a heated bed. That was a lot of fun working out and a little costly as well. I'll eventually document what I did to get it right, but those are issues you will likely not see.
I felt the opposite about not being able to use Mach 3.
I have three other cnc machines and soon 4 that are Mach controlled.

Good luck with it. It is a blast learning to use the printers as long as there aren't mechanical and electrical problems. At least not many and hopefully none difficult. That does take away from the experience some, but you still get the feeling of accomplishment when you get it sorted out.
Looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold here even if you are on a Mac. Maybe especially since you are. Welcome aboard.

Leeway wrote:I think you will like that board. I have the Gen 6, which is similar, but doesn't support a heated bed. That was a lot of fun working out and a little costly as well. I'll eventually document what I did to get it right, but those are issues you will likely not see.
I felt the opposite about not being able to use Mach 3.
I have three other cnc machines and soon 4 that are Mach controlled.

Good luck with it. It is a blast learning to use the printers as long as there aren't mechanical and electrical problems. At least not many and hopefully none difficult. That does take away from the experience some, but you still get the feeling of accomplishment when you get it sorted out.
Looking forward to seeing your adventures unfold here even if you are on a Mac. Maybe especially since you are. Welcome aboard.

Yea, I am really looking forwards to this forum and 3D Printing. I have always had issues with my projects, so I assume there will be a few here and there. I pray for nothing major though

Nice quip about my Macs btw