3D Printer Blog

Chako · **Reply #150 on:** June 03, 2020, 06:51:21 PM

Ok...I got fed up yesterday and decided to visit the local Walmart to find some glue sticks. I was able to procure some Elmers purple glue sticks. I tried it last night with an immediate failure. I rubbed the stuff on the glass plate and immediately cleaned it off with some alcohol because I had read someone on a forum somewhere stating they had great success doing this. I should have listened to my gut feeling. It failed. I took the glass plate off of the printer and washed if off really good. The textured side I used was a bit hard to clean very well. I decided to flip the glass over and print on the smooth surface. This time, I followed other directions to warm the bed up to temp and to put a layer of glue stick on...and to wait for it to dry. That appears to be working very well. I am in the process of printing off a figurine to test this out.

In the mail, I got my all metal upgrade extruder kit. Time to upgrade the little CR-100's plastic extruder.

Here is the plastic one. I am told that the filament wears a hole where the filament and plastic rubs together.

IMG_8534A by Chako, on Flickr

Here is the metal upgrade kit.

IMG_8536A by Chako, on Flickr

Installation was super easy, probably because it was my second kit install.

IMG_8537A by Chako, on Flickr

I have no idea what I am printing here as I am trying out the glue stick on the surface. I flipped the textured side over and rubbed glue on the smooth metal plate. Seeing as this is a non heated bed, I am curious to see if this will work. So far, it is the furthest I have gotten on a print with the CR-100. X fingers.

IMG_8540A by Chako, on Flickr

The little CR-100 does not appear to have to many upgraded pathways unlike the Ender 3. From what I can see, the metal extruder kit might be just it.

Chako · **Reply #151 on:** June 03, 2020, 09:11:22 PM

The glue stick worked wonders. In fact, I had a bit of difficulty getting the model to let go from the glass plate. Here is my failed kitty and successful Ice Age Proto-Squirell.

IMG_8543A by Chako, on Flickr

Now I remember what this will be...a monkey cup. Looks good so far. Only 37% complete.

IMG_8544A by Chako, on Flickr

If this works, this will be the first successful print from the Creality CR-100.

Don Pablo · **Reply #152 on:** June 03, 2020, 09:32:38 PM

I love that Scrat!

Chako · **Reply #153 on:** June 03, 2020, 10:15:47 PM

Note to self, the CR-100 is as loud as the Ender 3 as far as stepper motor sound goes. The nozzle fan is quieter, but then, there is only the one and it is smaller in size...and added to the partial enclosure on two sides...

Chako · **Reply #154 on:** June 04, 2020, 02:08:24 AM

I kinda like it as well Don Pablo.

Well, I finally have success with the CR-100, and a glue stick was all that was needed.

IMG_8545A by Chako, on Flickr

Seen through the window.

IMG_8547A by Chako, on Flickr

And the final product. I did have to scale the item down a lot, especially considering the CR-100 has a build volume of 100x100x80. I think I now have a dice cup.

IMG_8550A by Chako, on Flickr

Vidar · **Reply #155 on:** June 05, 2020, 02:57:54 PM

Looking good.

I regret not making better notes of my various settings and tricks for good results with various materials when I had them up and running well. It might be a good idea to do better than me at that..

With some luck I'll get to make a little design or two later this summer where the end products are actually made on the filament 3D printer. That might get interesting.

Chako · **Reply #156 on:** June 05, 2020, 06:14:06 PM

I was a bit annoyed with the CR-100. I bought it as a lark because it was just darn cute. Annoyed that I couldn't get anything to stick. Now I have 2 viable 3D printers. Makes me happy.

Good point on taking notes.

Vidar · **Reply #157 on:** June 05, 2020, 06:45:37 PM

Quote from: Chako on June 05, 2020, 06:14:06 PM

I bought it as a lark because it was just darn cute.

Ah, I struggle with that issue too. I'll have to avoid tool shops when that small Knipex Cobra comes around. Or more likely, just accept my destiny and get it over with. Knowing Knipex I'd likely have to eat pasta for week as a financial plan. (Someone is screaming no more pasta in the background - I might need a new financial model!

)

Chako · **Reply #158 on:** June 05, 2020, 08:27:28 PM

Whoey · **Reply #159 on:** June 06, 2020, 12:27:03 AM

while I don't have a printer I had seen some articles that hinted that enclosures help with both noise and temp issues. As you seem to have realized.

Chako · **Reply #160 on:** June 09, 2020, 03:19:03 PM

I wanted to print a vase as something large and interesting to do. I found quite a few over at thingiverse, and decided to pull a nice model from there and print it. I import it into Cura 4.6.1 and found that after slicing it, it is solid. I went online to find out how to print this correctly. I located a setting called "spiralize outer countour". Apparently this will print any object with single wall thickness with a bottom and no top. Perfect. However, it took me several articles online to figure out how to activate it. You have to go into Cura settings and check a box among the hundreds of other boxes (found under specialized mode section). Once check-marked, the option comes up and enables you to print a vase. After activating this and slicing the model, it looks good to go. I am now printing it in black PLA, and am very curious to see if this print will work.

Chako · **Reply #161 on:** June 09, 2020, 04:44:04 PM

So far so good. Currently at 24% completed. I have found the glue stick works best when I flip over the glass plate to print on the smooth side.

IMG_8556A by Chako, on Flickr

Chako · **Reply #162 on:** June 09, 2020, 10:11:33 PM

Came out good. I was worried taking it off of the glass plate because the wall is very thin. I ran the glass plate under water and that did the trick. It popped off relatively easy.

IMG_8559A by Chako, on Flickr

Vidar · **Reply #163 on:** June 10, 2020, 07:37:31 PM

Quote from: Chako on June 09, 2020, 10:11:33 PM

Came out good. I was worried taking it off of the glass plate because the wall is very thin. I ran the glass plate under water and that did the trick. It popped off relatively easy.

IMG_8559A by Chako, on Flickr

Single pass thickness? That does sound thin!

Chako · **Reply #164 on:** June 10, 2020, 07:50:19 PM

Agreed. Surprisingly enough, I filled it with water and it did not leak.That to me is a miracle. It does make a nice decorative piece. I am printing a different model right now.

Chako · **Reply #165 on:** June 10, 2020, 10:58:38 PM

The latest print using the spiralize outer contour mode.

IMG_8571A by Chako, on Flickr

Vidar · **Reply #166 on:** June 11, 2020, 02:29:39 AM

You certainly seem to keep your printers busy!

Chako · **Reply #167 on:** June 11, 2020, 02:56:48 AM

derekmac · **Reply #168 on:** June 11, 2020, 05:50:59 PM

I really like that last one. Do you happen to have a link to it?

Chako · **Reply #169 on:** June 11, 2020, 06:22:35 PM

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2376777

derekmac · **Reply #170 on:** June 11, 2020, 08:27:01 PM

Quote from: Chako on June 11, 2020, 06:22:35 PM

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2376777

Chako · **Reply #171 on:** June 13, 2020, 12:43:51 AM

Printing out a retro rocket model right now.

If I had known how much fun having a 3D printer would be..I would have gotten one sooner.

Chako · **Reply #172 on:** June 13, 2020, 04:06:45 AM

And the completed rocket in black PLA. I scaled it larger from the original print size. I think it turned out very nice.

IMG_8581A by Chako, on Flickr

This model did not require any supports.

Chako · **Reply #173 on:** June 18, 2020, 03:50:36 PM

I took my time and I did it. The task was easy but harder because of the lack of good instructions. I was forced to watch multiple videos on how to install a BigTreeTech TFT35 E3 V3.0 and the BigTreeTech SKR Mini E3 V1.2 before starting this upgrade. I was a bit worried to bork something up during the install. I had my tablet next to me and I paused a few key videos during this install.

I started off with the screen upgrade. It wasn't at all clear on which video port to use. There were 3. I figured I woud install the screen and test it out on the board that came with the printer, but quickly found out after digging deeper in the lack of literature, that I could not activate touch screen with the Creality board.

With that in mind, then I had to figure out which cables go where, and did the motherboard upgrade at the same time.Apparently, you only need to use port 3 and the serial port on both as they were both BigTreeTech parts. Otherwise, i would have had to use only Port 1 or 2 on the LCD screen to the LCD port on the Creality main board. A simple sentence or two explaining this would have caused a lesser sense of confusion.

Here is the original Creality main board. It is V 1.1.4.

IMG_8584A by Chako, on Flickr

The majority of the leads are well labeled. I had to label only 2 plugs which wasn't all that bad. Here is the upgraded SKR Mini E3 v1.2.

IMG_8592A by Chako, on Flickr

This board is a huge upgrade over the bare bones Creality board. I will install the BLTouch auto bed leveling kit once I do the needed online video and article readings. At least this upgrade has the proper hookups for it without having to resort to little daughter boards which interfere with the main compartment closing properly.

So after a slow go, I turned on the printer and got this right away.

IMG_8587A by Chako, on Flickr

I can either go with the classical left, or the touch screen right. I can also press the main knob down for a few seconds to access this screen in either mode.

This is the classical view. A little different from that shown with the original mainboard.

IMG_8590A by Chako, on Flickr

This is the touch screen interface.

IMG_8589A by Chako, on Flickr

I tested both the nozzle and heated bed and everything appears to be working properly.

Next step is to install the auto bed leveling sensor and see how that works. Not sure if I should also flash the board as well. Need to read more I guess. I might also have to do better cable management. I have not installed the cover with the cooling fan on as of yet.

Chako · **Reply #174 on:** June 19, 2020, 12:59:01 AM

Got me some problems. I bought the official Creality BLTouch kit. Apparently, the wire included is different to what is required with the BigTreeTech SKR mini E3 board. Not sure what to do. Got to think about this one more I guess before I proceed any futher.

Chako · **Reply #175 on:** June 19, 2020, 03:06:05 AM

Ok, well I made some progress. I figured out that I needed to switch 2 wires around in a 3 wire DuPont connector. Everything appears to be working somewhat...just need to figure out how to flash the bios, and to find the right files online to do that. That will be for another day.

Chako · **Reply #176 on:** June 19, 2020, 01:38:12 PM

Well I am test printing something right now and I will say, the printer is a whole lot quieter. no more stepper motor noise. I still haven't flashed anything as of yet. I do have the BLTouch installed but nothing appears to work...I am certain I will have to find a firmware to flash to get that working.

Chako · **Reply #177 on:** June 19, 2020, 05:41:33 PM

I am struggling with the bad english instructions and often times confusing statements. With that said, I found several .BIN files and figured out which one I needed based on how I wired it on the motherboard. Changed the name to firmeware.bin and rebooted the printer with the micro SD card inserted, and it installed right quick and I now have a working BLTouch auto-leveling feature.

The hardware install was a bit entertaining...and so was the software update. Now I think it works...as it just did its 9 point measurement.The BLTouch sensor glows a nice bright red...and turns blue when taking the measurement. Visually, it all seems to be working.

IMG_8594A by Chako, on Flickr

A side bonus, the red glow is enough to light up the model during use.

IMG_8596A by Chako, on Flickr

And the test print, a low poly panther. Printed this one before I did the firmware update...which I just finished about 10 minutes ago. this was more a test to see if I still had a working printer after doing the motherboard and LCD upgrade.

IMG_8597A by Chako, on Flickr