Hi

[Luis Rivera]

Hey guys I received my ExtrusionBot this Monday (November,4) after a bit of problems since Mark told me the old shipping guy had forgot to send my kit. Anyways my kit has a few things that I'm going to assume shouldn't be like this and I was wondering if anyone has had this problem and what you did to solve it. I tried contacting Mark but I assume he wont respond till tomorrow at least. Anyways first off my kit only had 2 blue or green buttons don't know since I haven't turned them on yet. Also I found that my aluminum barrel where the thermocouple apparently goes... well the threading was done maybe at an angle or so it seems from close inspection so I cant screw it enough for it to grab onto enough aluminum. So my thermocouple keeps falling off since it cant grab to more than half a turn due to the threading. By the way I have only tried screwing it twice since I know forcing it might remove the threading I didn't wanna keep going till I asked it this had happened to anyone else. 

On a related note I noticed you guys have been modifying how the guts are arranged did you have to extend the cables to be able to do this? Did you guys make custom enclosures for the electronics? I'm still not at that part so I was wondering if you guys sell any of your custom mounts or have the print files I could probably use. 

Has anyone done any better quality build tutorial that you could link me to?

In worst case scenario if this turns out to be more than I can handle anyone here interested on buying my kit semi-assembled? (Ill pay for shipping if I can get close to full price on the parts)

[Herb Winters]

Hi Luis,
Welcome to the Group. I put my responses below.


On Tuesday, November 5, 2013 6:55:14 PM UTC-5, Luis Rivera wrote: 

Anyways first off my kit only had 2 blue or green buttons....

you should have received two switches with Blue Lights and one switch with a Red Light. you also should have a key switch and Red push-in power on indicator.
 

Also I found that my aluminum barrel where the thermocouple apparently goes... well the threading was done maybe at an angle or so it seems from close inspection so I cant screw it enough for it to grab onto enough aluminum.

 Yes this is a common problem on some kits it will work but only hanging on by 1 thread on others kits it will not even work at all. the fix is simple.
take the thermal couple look at the tip it is about 1/8" thick (the part that goes inside the threaded hole and presses up against the pipe. ) take a file or grinder and remove about 1/3 of the end of the thermal couple tip then it will screw in perfectly. Don't go crazy when you tighten in as the aluminum is soft. it only needs to be tight enough so that it will stay in place. if you have heatsink compond I usually stick a little bit in there but it will work without it.

On a related note I noticed you guys have been modifying how the guts are arranged did you have to extend the cables to be able to do this?

Can't speak for the others But My version does not need changes to the length of the Ribbon Cable but does need to have it routed out the opposite side of the plastic optical sensor bracket. as for the rest of the wiring I always change the wiring to 18ga min.

 Did you guys make custom enclosures for the electronics?

YES, I have posted a link to the STL file on this group somewhere But I can't seem to find it. so here is another copy
https://www.youmagine.com/designs/355/embed
also I attached a picture of the part.

I'm still not at that part so I was wondering if you guys sell any of your custom mounts or have the print files I could probably use.

YES, I can print the parts for you for a small charge I also offer Assembly service I will assemble the Kit for $150 see the post about assembly if needed.

Has anyone done any better quality build tutorial that you could link me to?

I hope to have something next week just working the bugs out now. I should be able to post a complete set of instructions with Pictures and STL files on how to build the kit the way I am assembling the kits here at ECS for people.
 this way if you would like to do it yourself and you have the time you will be able to.

In worst case scenario if this turns out to be more than I can handle anyone here interested on buying my kit semi-assembled? (Ill pay for shipping if I can get close to full price on the parts)

Let me build it for you I have taken several peoples kits at different levels of completion and finish them here. even if you decide not to keep it it will be easier to sell the assembled unit on ebay than a dificult kit.
At $150 + shipping I am not even making Minimum wage (But I am having fun :)  if you really want to just get out now then send me a message with the price you want for the kit and I will let buy it as long as it is reasonable.

[Raymond Luo]

Luis, welcome.

Please let me know if Mark eventually replies you, he hasn't replied any of my 3 emails since september.

[Luis Rivera]

Hey guys yeah Mark replied and he said he would be sending me the switch and Herb I think ill give the filing of the thermocouple a try since I doubt they will send me a new part or anything. If it proves to much i will surely let you know for the assembly. if you were to buy my kit what would you consider a reasonable price?

[Steven Yaeger]

Herb, if you are really thinking about spending $140 more for a kit that has been powder coating, buying a powder coating system might be a more affordable option...

I powder coated mine with a powder coating gun I got at a local auction (for about $10), a dollar or so worth of power from Harbor Freight, and a small toaster oven I picked up at Bed, Bath, and Beyond for about $30 (after using the wife's coupons).  It was the first time I ever powder coated anything.  It was much quicker and easier than painting.  And the finish turned out nice and tough.

Harbor Freight has a Powder Coating gun on sale for just under $60.  If you use one of their 25% coupons from their flyers, it brings the price down to around $45.  So $45 for the gun, $30 for the oven and about $6 for a bottle of Harbor Freight powder coating powder.  So for just over $80, you can by a powder coating system, that can powder coat anything you can fit in the toaster oven...

[Herb Winters]

@Steven Yaeger,

it sounds easy when you say it but so many times I just into somthing like this and find I need to learn a lot before I can do anything useful.

it us tempting though. I may try it sometime Thanks if the introduction on how to do it I was not fimiliar with the process.