I enjoy tinkering and doing hands-on projects, so I’ve been looking more into upgrade options recently. While browsing around, I came across a Prusa MINI+ Dual Z-axis upgrade kit on Printables, with a full parts list and an assembly video. It caught my attention mostly because I’ve been enjoying DIY projects lately.
I agree with this.
That said, if the person who is asking for recommendations loves to build, then a half DIY printer is a good option. Something like a Voron which can be built “to stock” or modified as desired. I just got a 2.4r2 up and running. The software tuning wasn’t bad thanks to SuperSlic3r and the default profiles.
But if the person just wants a printer? Yeah, I’d direct them to one the more finished products available now like a Bambu or the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.
Yeah, fair, I just wanted to make sure nobody has wrong expectations. Back when the Prusa Mini was new, off-the-shelf printers were much worse than they are today, and DIYing a printer could actually be a good deal if the goal was to have a good printer (and not specifically something to tinker with).
Nowadays, if you DIY a printer it’s going to be more expensive while performing worse than an off-the-shelf printer.
I think in most cases that’s true. I basically never recommend anything that needs major assembly. I don’t think the average person wants a hobby, just a way to make things they see online. And that’s totally fair. I wanted the hobby.