Rostock Max V2 as first 3d Printer

[milp]

Hi there,

I'm planning to buy the Rostock Max V2 as my first 3d printer. My focus will be making cases and acessoires for diy projects of all kinds and printing parts for my car. That's why i need one that can handle ABS filament and has a lot of printing space, so i figured this might be the best one.

Assembling the Kit might be a bit of a challenge but i think it will be a good learning experience and won't be impossible to do. I'm somewhat experienced in messing around with all kinds of technical stuff, working as car mechanic and doing various arduino projects that involve everything from 12/230V motor regulation to climate control. Currently i'm working on getting my own arduino based washing machine control unit done.

Since i live in germany i will probably order it from robosavvy.com, to avoid paying 300+€ in toll and taxes.

I've already assembled a list of ebay links with all the tools. Seeing i would even need wrenches in imperial sizing.

However i wanted to ask some questions before i get started:

- What about this 'disappering purple' glue stick that is mentioned in the manual? Do i really need that special kind? What is it for? I'd rather see if i could improvise something than order a 25$ gluestick over ebay. What does it do that a simple 40 cent gluestick can't do?

- Other than the tools and things advised in the manual and some filament, what would you recommend buying along to get started? Like for a MIG welder i would definitely order some spare nozzles because sometimes they tend to weld shut. Is that the case with 3d printing? Are there any other weak points or things that might need replacing from time to time?

- Any other tips and advice about this project in general?

- Is there a place in europe to buy spare parts from incase i ever need them?

- Can i get started printing ABS with this printer right away or are there recommended adaptions? Or would you advise me start off with PLA until i'm a little more experienced?

- Can i just use any spool of 1.75mm filament of any type i desire? Or are there spool size limitations? Are there filament types it does not support?

I'm looking forward to starting my journey into the promising world of 3d printing

[beilmandesign]

- What about this 'disappering purple' glue stick that is mentioned in the manual? Do i really need that special kind? What is it for? I'd rather see if i could improvise something than order a 25$ gluestick over ebay. What does it do that a simple 40 cent gluestick can't do?

I use the purple but is is readily available here in the US. It melts and creates a film that your parts will adhere to. When done I scrape it off with a razor blade. I don't see why another type of glue stick would not work as well.

- Other than the tools and things advised in the manual and some filament, what would you recommend buying along to get started? Like for a MIG welder i would definitely order some spare nozzles because sometimes they tend to weld shut. Is that the case with 3d printing? Are there any other weak points or things that might need replacing from time to time?

The only thing I would suggest is buying filament with your kit. I bought both PLA and ABS. You will need ABS to build the fans shrouds (see the end of the build manual). It was easy to use & I had no issues with it. If you have any electrical problems, read/search these forums.

- Any other tips and advice about this project in general?

Read the manual carefully, and go slow. No need to hurry. Be a perfectionist and you will be rewarded with a great machine.

- Can i just use any spool of 1.75mm filament of any type i desire? Or are there spool size limitations? Are there filament types it does not support?

The kit & its software will come pre-configured for 1.75 PLA, ABS and Ninjaflex. Stick with the 1st two when you start out. The read up and explore.

Good Luck!

[jckrieger]

I recommend using 1 kg spools, as they seem to fit the spool holder just fine. It's going to take some work to get my 3 lb string trimmer line to work on the spool holder.

You shouldn't need to buy too many imperial wrenches. 8 mm = 5/16" and you can use an adjustable wrench for the big nut on the hot end. Of course, I have both English/metric wrenches in my toolbox, so I don't see any problem owning a few. 1/2" is handy for rusty 13 mm fasteners and 3/8" is also useful for 10 mm hex heads.

[milp]

Thanks, yeah the imperial wrenches and allen wrenches aren't too many, it's just all new to me that such a thing even exists.

So you do actually require ABS filament to fully finish the printer? That should be on the required materials/tools section of the manual then

Another thing i wanted to ask is the following:

At http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers/rostock-max it says that the min. layer thickness of the rostock max v2 is .02mm, here at seemecnc it doesn't mention layer thickness at all, only X/Y (.1mm) and Z resolution (.0125mm). How do those values correlate, could someone please clear that up for me?

[add1ct3dd]

Thanks, yeah the imperial wrenches and allen wrenches aren't too many, it's just all new to me that such a thing even exists.

So you do actually require ABS filament to fully finish the printer? That should be on the required materials/tools section of the manual then

Another thing i wanted to ask is the following:

At http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers/rostock-max it says that the min. layer thickness of the rostock max v2 is .02mm, here at seemecnc it doesn't mention layer thickness at all, only X/Y (.1mm) and Z resolution (.0125mm). How do those values correlate, could someone please clear that up for me?

You ideally do to make the fan shroud for the hotend, so I'd say yes. You don't need much, so if you can buy 20-30m or so (just so you have alot of spare just incase), then you'd be sorted .

[milp]

A kg of abs and pla filament each was on my to-buy list anyways, i was just saying that it should be on the 'required things' list for the manual. Imo it's kinda misleading that it isn't listed there.

What about the layer thickness/resolution though?

[hugepanic]

Since i live in germany i will probably order it from robosavvy.com, to avoid paying 300+€ in toll and taxes.

Servus,

are you sure robosavvy.com is cheaper in the end?

Right it is 1110€ euro if you order from seemecnc. This includes the todays USD to euro exchange rate, shipping and 20% taxes. (i have never payed more thant the 19% tax in the last years).

From robosavvy is see 1190€ + shipping. I don't know how much the shipping is, but even 20€ shipping would be 100€ extra --> 9%
Do you think buying in UK/europe is better in the end due to the quarantee they have to give you?

Basically I am in the same boat, just have to decided where to buy and what additional stuff i need....

best regards

[milp]

Servus

I did a quick comparison:

Ordering from Seemecnc you would pay approx. 1193.65€ for the whole deal (printer, shipping, taxes, toll), calculated at http://www.wolfpaw.de/import/ using 1.227 as exchange rate. 6-10 bsns days shipping time.

Ordering from england you would pay 1264,83€ for the whole deal (checkout page price including shipping and VAT) 3-5 bsns days shipping time.

From my previous experiences ordering things abroad i can tell you that messing around with all the toll and tax stuff often includes driving to the nearest toll office (Zollamt) where you have to do all the formalities, which would mean taking a day off of work for me. Sometimes, when Deutsche Post handles your package, the mailman or your local post office will charge you for it and handle everything, but i've rarely had that happen.

So in order to have everything go quick and easy i still tend to order it in england.

No idea about the warranty from either the supplier or the manufacturer though, i sent robosavvy an email asking about that.

Also, could someone please clear this up?

At http://www.3dhubs.com/3d-printers/rostock-max it says that the min. layer thickness of the rostock max v2 is .02mm, here at seemecnc it doesn't mention layer thickness at all, only X/Y (.1mm) and Z resolution (.0125mm). How do those values correlate, could someone please clear that up for me?