Seeking advice choosing a multi-color printer - eviltoast

Hello,

I am trying to figure out which printer with multi-color capabilities to buy, and I’d like to hear some other people’s opinions.

Note: I can’t buy Bambu Labs products, so please do not recommend one.

Current options:

  • Prusa Mk4 and MMU3.
  • Voron 2.4-style (either Formbot kit or Sovol SV08) and ERCF, and eventually DAKSH toolchanger.
  • Ratrig V4 and the upgrades when they come out.
  • Creality K2 Plus (when it comes out).
  • Qidi Q1 Pro and the rumored multi-color unit.

My current thoughts:

  • I am happy wait a bit if that’s the best option.
  • I like the fact that the MMU3 mechinism doesn’t waste as much filament as some other mechanisms. It’s easier for me to pay more up front for the mechanism than constantly keeping tons extra filament in stock.
  • The potential for a Voron to be upgraded to a toolchanger with DAKSH is intising.
  • High print quality is important to me, although I can’t imagine any of these would result in bad quality.
  • Prusa XL is outside my budget :(

Please let me know your opinions, and thank you to anybody who read this far.

  • Bartsbigbugbag@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    edit-2
    5 months ago

    That’s wild, I’ve put dozens, maybe even hundreds, of days print time onto my MK3S+, never followed any maintenance regimen. The only issue I’ve ever had was with the MMU2S, and it was a printed part so I just printed another and it’s been going for days print time again. Voron is a sweet beast, if you go that way, buy a kit. Self sourcing was an expensive endeavor and frustrating at times.

    Did you build your MK3S+ or buy a prebuilt?

    • capably8341@sh.itjust.worksOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      5 months ago

      Admittedly, I bought it used. However, it had very little use and was a prebuilt model. I’d be surprised if that has much to do with the issues I’ve had since I didn’t have any issues the first month or so.

      The issues I’ve had have been all over the place from fans breaking, to having to reflash the RasPi I put in it, to it digging the nozzle into the build plate and ruining it. At one point, the print lifted off the build plate and clumped up to the point I had to replace most of the hotend, although that could happen on any printer I guess.

      I think I’m leaning towards a Voron kit. Self-sourcing sounds awful.