Suggestions on initial MK3s order  

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Keep in mind that orders over a specific amount may trigger import duties. I'd order with smooth PEI 1st, then order the other parts separately.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

I only have the powder-coated steel sheet and I like the pattern very much. I only needed to use 1 side of my sheet so far (1 year in).

If you order the MMU2S I would learn to use the MK3S without it first and only when you're comfortable with it I would add the MMU.
Be advised the MMU is NOT multi-material where you can freely mix and match different materials with different properties within 1 print, but rather more multi-color within the same material. I mostly use it in single color mode to switch between different colors or materials without having to get up and switch rolls.

There is only 1 rol of filament (1kg) included with the MK3S. Since corona several Prusament colors are regularly out of stock, so I would order 2 extra rolls. You can't have enough filament, especially in the beginning where every model on Thingiverse just begs to be printed. You will also make many design mistakes in the beginning.

If you would like to experiment with different nozzles later on, I would invest in a replacement hotend. I've ordered a Phaetus Dragon hotend after I severed the thermistor wires. The Dragon doesn't need pliers to hold the hotend to unscrew the nozzle, eliminating the risk of pinching wires.

Keep your filament dry and enjoy your new hobby !!!

Greetings from Belgium
Yveske

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

If you are relatively new to 3d printing and totally new to Prusa, I would strongly suggest going with the smooth sheet at first, and get confident printing on it before trying the textured sheet.

I would also second the suggestion to get the MK3S running by it self and all dialed-in before adding the complexity of the MMU2S.  3d printing by itself has a steep learning curve, and the MMU2S has an incredibly steep learning curve with many unwritten rules and quirks to become familiar with.

For Prusa printers, the gold standard in filaments is of course the Prusa products, but I've found that many other brands give excellent results.  Hatchbox, Paramount and Reprappers all work very well for me.

A good second source of filaments which appear to be the same products as some Prusa filaments is the FilamentPM online store.  I'm 99.999% convinced that their silver-gray filament is identical to that which comes as a sample with the printer.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Just out of curiosity, I have no experience with other build plates, what are the benefits of the smooth sheets which makes it better for first time users ? I certainly had no issues with the powder coated one and do not need to use glue stick to make things stick...

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

@yveske

If printing with PLA the smooth sheet is much easier to dial in and get parts sticking than the textured sheets, especially for those 'new' to them.

Given the list supplied initially -

Absolute must haves in initial order -
MK3s, extra textured sheet (to give both options).  spare heater and thermistor for the hotend (the 2 most common parts broken when a print messes up and the user tries to fix a blob).   Extra Filament.

If you need to split for import duties (depends on your local rules and amounts)

Next order would be the MMU2 plus more filament if needed.  Hopefully you will have gotten used to the Mk3 by then so you will have a better idea of what else you will need and even if you need that MMU2 at all.

I know the OP said they would detail extra stuff at a later point but other things I would want before getting the Mk3 are silicone grease to do a proper job of greasing the bearings BEFORE assembly and a pack of silicone socks for the e3d V6 hotend that the printer uses.  I judge those as essentials.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

@bobstro

Agree with bobstro as long as the difference in shipping is not over $32.  That is the duty on an $800 order.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Thanks everyone,  

The one advantage of current Prusa orders taking 3 - 4 weeks to ship is time to order items that I am unable to get from Prusa.  So what I have put together from replies...

Prusa Order One: 

• MK3s kit with both steel sheets
• to stay under $800 I can't add much more than a glue stick

Prusa Order Two:  (how long I wait is a mystery)

• MMU2s
• Prusa doesn't allow spare parts to be ordered until after you have purchased a printer.
  • hotend thermoster
  • hotend heater
  • hotend PTFE tube
• additional Double-sided Textured PEI Powder-coated Spring Steel Sheet
• filament  (PLA, PETG orange to make future MK3s parts?)

From other sources:

• silicone grease (any specific recommendations, I found Super Lube 21030 Synthetic Grease
• silicone socks for hotend
• The new copperhead from slice looks interesting
• Rasberry Pi4   (I'm sure this will be an adventure)
• Humidity Meter to build some enclosures for filament.
• And many of the items listed in: Tools: What do you recommend?

How does this look?

M

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Prusa Order One Placed 🤠 : 

• MK3s kit with Spring steel sheet with Double-sided Textured PEI Powder-coated Spring Steel Sheet
  • This used up all but pennies of the $800 customs allowance.
  • I went with textured, as it is $5 more than smooth.

Prusa Order Two: 🙄 

• MMU2s
  • I will wait to use it till I've got a handle on MK3s
• Spare parts
  • hotend thermoster
  • hotend heater
  • hotend PTFE tube
• 2x Spring Steel Sheet With Smooth Double-sided PEI
• 1x Double-sided Textured PEI Powder-coated Spring Steel Sheet
• prusament
  • PETG orange to make future parts for printer or even hop in on mask making
  • Now to research filaments

Did I miss anything?

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Posted by: @markfr

[...]

Prusa Order One: 

• MK3s kit with both steel sheets
• to stay under $800 I can't add much more than a glue stick

That's how I'd order the main printer.

Prusa Order Two:  (how long I wait is a mystery)

• MMU2s
• Prusa doesn't allow spare parts to be ordered until after you have purchased a printer.
  • hotend thermoster
  • hotend heater
  • hotend PTFE tube
• additional Double-sided Textured PEI Powder-coated Spring Steel Sheet
• filament  (PLA, PETG orange to make future MK3s parts?)

With the exception of the powder-coated sheet, you can order all of these from US suppliers (Filastruder, FilamentOne, PrintedSolid) and likely save money on shipping. 

[...]

• The new copperhead from slice looks interesting

I wouldn't jump into significant hardware mods without mastering the basic printer. If nothing else, support may not be able to help much if you swap out major parts.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Posted by: @bobstro

Posted by: @markfr

[...]

wouldn't jump into significant hardware mods without mastering the basic printer. If nothing else, support may not be able to help much if you swap out major parts.

 

Take this comment from Bobstro to heart.  I learned this mistake form my Ender-3.  I gave up to early and now I have a heavily modified Ender-3 that is tough to upgrade.  It is more Prusa like than Ender like.  That ios nto a bad thing unless I have to upgrade and then I have to install personalized firmware.  Because of my haste, it took me over a year to get it printing.  

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Thank you bobstro  charles-h13, I will head your advice and stick to Prusa stock parts. Fortunately I am trainable in my old age.

With the 3 week backlog on MK3s kit, I have time for research/training.

This forum and everyone's help played a part in deciding on Prusa.  Sidewinder was considered but there are so many intangibles with Prusa.  but let's face it, I did it for the gummy bears.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

I keep these extra parts on hand at all times.  It allows me to quickly swap to get back to printing.  I order a lot from Amazon to get them by Prime.  

1. A fully assembled hotend from e3D
2. Heater cartridge
3. Thermistor for e3D V6 or Knock Off 
4. Blower fans
5. Hotend fans

I also order them from Prusa and you can order them from Printed Solid.  

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Fedex just handed me my kit!!!  I know what I'll be doing this weekend. 

Someone had suggested using Super Lube instead of the grease pre-applied during assembly.  I would love for more information on this.  

Thanks All!

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Have fun mate! Just one thing, the textured sheet. I ordered only that one first and very soon after the PEI one. Now after nine month I do only print on the PEI sheet.

I would recommend you to start with PEI sheet at the begin, if you dont have any experience with printers. I had some issues since I have the Prusa (which is my first printer) and most of them where because of first layer adhesion on textured sheet. ; )

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

something like this might be what you are looking for.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Super-Lube-3-oz-Tube-Synthetic-Grease-with-Syncolon-PTFE-21030/202932687

it's what i use for the linear bearings.

RE: Suggestions on initial MK3s order

Posted by: @markfr

Fedex just handed me my kit!!!  I know what I'll be doing this weekend. 

Someone had suggested using Super Lube instead of the grease pre-applied during assembly.  I would love for more information on this.  

Thanks All!

There are two schools of thought here.

One is that TFM says that no additional lube is required and to just assemble as is.  This is the way I did it, and it's been running for several months, almost daily, with no lubrication issues.  Every so often I put a drop of hardware store synthetic  oil on the rods, and every so many so oftens I rub a bit of Superlube on the rods.  I figure that since Prusa has a few thousand of these machines running in their 'farm', they know what is necessary and if any more lubrication is needed at assembly, they would have said so.

The other school of thought is that the supplied lube is junk (used only for shipment) and there's a document floating around from one of the bearing suppliers that states this.  The proponents of this think that if you assemble with the original lube it will destroy the printer and keep the country from winning the war.

Realistically, I'm sure that the Prusa folks have determined that the stock lubrication is adequate for the intended purpose over the expected lifetime of the unit, with proper periodic maintenance, of course.

You will find proponents of both schools of thought here, some quite outspoken.  😉

I think there are more important things to worry about, such as whether water-based solvents or organic solvents are better for cleaning the print sheets.  😉