Recently purchase a used Makerbot Replicator 2, which was previously owned by an engineer. I was reminded of the lesson I learned when I bought my first car, Ford Pinto Station wagon…from a mechanic.
So far its pritty good with my Makerbot (afterall the Pinto was only $300) . I experimented with the limited supply of filament that accompanied the purchase.
Prior to purchase, I was advised to do a “bridge test” by a trusted source. As a pre-purchase print test I chose Bridge Calibration test from Thingiverse.
The print only took 16min so it was a good test to see how the printer would behave post to post without support. It was acceptable enough, so I carted it home.
The next print was my Sherlock bust, which was taking a bit long with the black and I ended up breaking his hand off. Tried Sherlock for in green and failed at his brain – how ironic.
I got tired of failing with difficult prints so I downloaded the Shamrock Coin, terrific and satisfying quick little print and lucky too! I increased the roof and floor to 1mm.
My final print of the eve as I am getting down to the last of filament is the Castle Tower
The machine seems to be having a challenge with those top turrets, could be something to do with the filament not having tension on it as it is just coiled on my desk – will try again with my new filament that arrives tomorrow!!