M2 Make Gear 3D printer.

[pinballlooking]

My M2 MakerGear 3D printer kit should be here Saturday. This is my first 3D printer so we are looking forward to getting it.

It's print area is 8" x 10" x 8" Build Area
"Typical layer heights are between 0.3mm and 0.1mm but sometimes go below 0.05mm"

M Series 3D Printers | MakerGear


I think I will setup a small work bench in the garage to put the printer on. I read the fumes printing ABS can be bad and it can take a very long time to print. The noise can stay out there.

[Daox]

Very cool. Is it a toy or for work? What are you looking to print with it?

[pinballlooking]

I took the plunge for a couple reasons. I have two boys 10, 11 I want to inspire their imaginations that they can make all kinds of things.

We make some pinball mods I plan on using this to make some of them or at least prototyping them.

I have been watching the 3D printers evolve and it is time for me to quit researching them and try one out. There so many choices!


Here is a short video with someone printing with it. The first prints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4R6E6WC-hU

[ecomodded]

Great tool.

I imagine you could make molds with it for casting parts or make a item and cast molds from that , either way its good at making prototypes

[Mikesolar]

That looks very cool. There are so many of them now and I am waiting for one that can do higher temp plastics like Delrin or teflon (that one is dream)

[where2]

In the grand scheme of things, that's pretty inexpensive as technology goes. I still remember what my dad paid for our Apple ][+ back in 1979.

Looking forward to some photos of your projects. I've seen some photos on other forums of one of a kind projects people have printed, and it looks like a handy device to have, especially if the spool of source material is affordable to replenish.

[Mikesolar]

What made you pick that particular unit?

[pinballlooking]

Originally Posted by Mikesolar

What made you pick that particular unit?

There are so many choices out there it makes it hard to pick one. I read a lot of reviews where people second and third printer was the Make Gear M2. They were very happy to move up to the M2.

I wanted to be able to print ABS and PLA out of the box. This is Maker Gear third printer release I did not want anyone’s first release. They always learn from the other releases.

This printer is made in the US a big plus for me if at all possible (price features etc.) I like to support North America business.

Good printer support. I emailed MakerGear support on Sunday and they got back with me in less than 30min the owner and they were not even open. Some of the other printer MFG sometimes never answer a question.

MakerGear is known for its super good support and still being able to order replacement parts.
No hassle warranty.

This printer is made from Laser cut steel and anodized aluminum. This allows the printer to have very good tolerances. “Typical layer heights are between 0.3mm and 0.1mm but sometimes go below 0.05mm. “ Not many under $1,500 printers can do this.

A decent size build area. 8”x 10” x 8”
A heated bed a must for ABS printing
I wanted rails and bearings that would last a long time and if they went bad you could order parts for them.

I also wanted a printer that would not need things replaced as soon as I got it just to make it work well. This may sound funny but in the lower priced printers this happens a lot.

Here is my second print pretty cool. My first print got ¾ done and the hot end jammed. I did not have filament tension adjusted right. I cleaned it and adjusted it. Then I printed this about 7 ½ “ cylinder. This is one of the three items on the SD card to test out your printer.

[pinballlooking]

I put it together on Saturday I started about noon and was done about 10 pm. I took my time I wanted to do it just once and start printing.
Then adjusting it and testing motors stop switches before printing took some time.

I am glad I got the kit I know how it works much more than if I bought it all together.

They now assemble some of the harder things for you. This was a nice touch as I am sure this keeps the kits much easier to support.


I ordered their recommended software today. I was trying some open source and I am sure this would work good I just don’t know enough just yet to get all the settings right.

[ecomodded]

Sweet it uses ABS and PLA , We all know how strong ABS is and PLA is earth friendlier being made from plants and sugars.