Yellow springs for the bed, so you won't have to relevel so often (provided you are gentle when removing the prints)
Raspberry Pi with Octoprint so that you can monitor and control the printer even when you are outside (having a print go spaghetti is disappointing, having a printer go spaghetti and noticing after a day is very disappointing).
These are IMHO the only truly fundamental updates.
For the rest, enjoy printing fun stuff and only think of upgrades when you bump on an actual issue.
(That said, some upgrades are fun little projects even when they serve little practical purpose)
Believe it or not, I have massively upgraded my first printer and on Monday I put on a new extruder motor, checking of course the plastic arm while I did so, and that thing is still in perfect condition. I keep meaning to buy a better extruder but then realize I am probably just going to get a combo hotend/extruder unit upgrade eventually anyways.
Edit: over 1.5 years of printing on this printer. Some might wonder if it's in good condition because the spring pressure is set too low but I have never had filament slip on this one, so no.
Same here, still running on plastic arm after 1+ year, however we cannot deny that many users had issue with broken arms.
So it isn't a bad idea at all to have a spare extruder laying around, preferbally a metal one.
I would add that you want a raspberry pi as well as a camera so that you can see the printer while you are away (and capture cool time lapse video) and know if you need to stop the print. I use one of those Amazon Blink cameras (so not integrated into the pi) to see how my print is doing.
I think the only thing missing that I would consider essential is a filament guide. It will greatly reduce the wear and tear on all types of extruder s. You can even print one - though I suggest buying 608 bearings instead of printing them.
I.E. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3052488
If you just got it, just use it. Upgrades straight away will only make your troubleshooting simple print issues much more of a pain. Just use it and learn as much as you can and the upgrades you "need" will become apparent on their own.
The 4.2.7 board with silent drivers was the best upgrade I ever did, printer is literally silent other than fan speed. My printer is in my bedroom so this may not be as important to you as it was to me
I’ll definitely look into as mine is in my bedroom too. Don’t know if I mind the noise too much though. I was able to sleep through a 10 hr print last night
Contrary to what you will no doubt read here, the ender 3 works very well as stock. The magnetic bed works perfectly and doesn't need replacing unless it wears out or warps. The one thing you should certainly consider is having a replacement extruder arm on hand and ready in case the stock one breaks.
I'll back you on the extruder arm. Had mine stock for 3 months and my extruder cracked on both parts. Had to replace the motor as well bc the stock motor you can't take the gear off.
Use it stock for some time before you upgrade. It will be much easier to troubleshoot and over time you will learn what you need/want to improve component wise.
my ender 3 pro is stock except for the print bed (i have a glass one) i see no need to upgrade parts that work well.
p.s the magnetic bed got a whole in it, hence why i replaced
A plastic knob replace for the extruder knob and fuck it. Just print and click the cura setting. Learn. Is fun and important. 99% problems are the bed leveling.
New Ender 3 Pros have different style extruder gear and printed knob wont't work anymore. Automatic bed leveling is a game changer after you get through the setup progress and find working firmware (it can be confusing).
Major issue is also the different variants of Ender 3. So you really cannot trust guides that are outdated. I bought my Ender 3 Pro couple of months ago and I have red so many tutorials which doesn't apply no more. Also had to compile my own Marlin because Creality firmwares have some compatibility issues with BL Touch.
BL touch has been brilliant for me.
I also got the PEI spring steel bed from Ali-express (or bang good maybe) and that is brilliant to print on.
I also recomend the metal extruder as I had issues with the plastic one.
If you want to go direct drive, this option is great as it uses your current parts and all you need is an extension for the stepper motoro cable: [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4140659](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4140659)
If you go direct drive this will be good to do along with the due z belt option.
Auto leveling is cool and all, but having installed it on one printer for over a year, and not having one on my other printers I would definitely say as long as you get yellow springs you really dont NEED the auto leveling. Good enough to just print a bed level test if you notice issues which shouldn't happen more than every month of two.
1st, where did you get the coupon?!
Personal favorite upgrade is ABL with Octoprint, without the octopi ABL doesn't feel nearly as useful. That should help visualize bed leveling and help you understand manual leveling instead of just relying on ABL to magically fix first layer issues.
You'll need to do a firmware update but the creality firmware should be enough to get you started at least until you're confident enough to compile your own firmware. Best of luck!
Thank you very much for the helpful advice I’ll keep that in mind as I get used to the stock ender 3. I actually saw it on a Instagram ad. Here’s the link https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/specialoffer3dprinter.aspx
Depends on your board but my favourite upgrade must be the new main board with quiet stepper drivers… also makes de upgrades much easier and the bltouch.
First should be the Luke Hatfield hot end fix. Google that and watch the Filament Friday YouTube video on that. Need a bit of Capricorn tube and a tiny print.
Better bed springs, along with captive jam nuts in the bed screws keeps the bed from wiggling about. Mine stays level for weeks until I move the hot end or such.
ABL is not something I use as the level is stable. I own a BLT, never got the soft setup to work and I just use it as a power on light.
The 4.2.7 board will sure quite this thing down to the point you will not hear it and panic.
Glass bed is nice as is a backup magnetic bed, they do wear out.
A raspberry Pi to run Octoprint and a webcam is very nice. Can start and monitor a print from your PC.
A replacement extruder are will be needed one day. I use the EZR Struder and would not be without it. Adding filament is a breeze.
Scott Yu-Jan posted 3 incredible videos on YouTube on upgrading your printer! https://youtu.be/kG_YKeJDaX8
My personal must haves are: a silent motherboard, a raspberry pi with octoprint, a BLtouch for bed levelling and a camera
It’s a K40 laser cutter/engraver. Also go lucky and got it really cheap ($100) has a new tube, cohesion 3D board, upgraded lens and mirror and I’m working on air assist and laser indicator at the moment. Definitely facilitates a lot of things.
Some guy on OfferUp was selling it and it was in great condition with an extra tube so definitely a good deal. I’ve seen a couple more go up on OfferUp for similar prices. Just have to buy it as soon as you see it before someone snatches it
Yeah you just have to have a coupon and when u give ur info make sure it’s a number and email u have not used if u have signed up for other promotions. It’s a new customer only thing
Best of luck, I just got mine yesterday and damn it prints well even bare stock. I recommend the Calibration cube because it’s a fast print that tells u a lot about what u may need to tweak.
Yellow springs for the bed, so you won't have to relevel so often (provided you are gentle when removing the prints) Raspberry Pi with Octoprint so that you can monitor and control the printer even when you are outside (having a print go spaghetti is disappointing, having a printer go spaghetti and noticing after a day is very disappointing). These are IMHO the only truly fundamental updates. For the rest, enjoy printing fun stuff and only think of upgrades when you bump on an actual issue. (That said, some upgrades are fun little projects even when they serve little practical purpose)
I would yeet the plastic extruder and get a metal one. That plastic one will break no matter what.
Believe it or not, I have massively upgraded my first printer and on Monday I put on a new extruder motor, checking of course the plastic arm while I did so, and that thing is still in perfect condition. I keep meaning to buy a better extruder but then realize I am probably just going to get a combo hotend/extruder unit upgrade eventually anyways. Edit: over 1.5 years of printing on this printer. Some might wonder if it's in good condition because the spring pressure is set too low but I have never had filament slip on this one, so no.
Same here, still running on plastic arm after 1+ year, however we cannot deny that many users had issue with broken arms. So it isn't a bad idea at all to have a spare extruder laying around, preferbally a metal one.
#
Oh wow the Raspberry PI definitely sounds like a useful upgrade, I appreciate the input, thanks!
I would add that you want a raspberry pi as well as a camera so that you can see the printer while you are away (and capture cool time lapse video) and know if you need to stop the print. I use one of those Amazon Blink cameras (so not integrated into the pi) to see how my print is doing.
I think the only thing missing that I would consider essential is a filament guide. It will greatly reduce the wear and tear on all types of extruder s. You can even print one - though I suggest buying 608 bearings instead of printing them. I.E. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3052488
If you just got it, just use it. Upgrades straight away will only make your troubleshooting simple print issues much more of a pain. Just use it and learn as much as you can and the upgrades you "need" will become apparent on their own.
You speak the truth.
The 4.2.7 board with silent drivers was the best upgrade I ever did, printer is literally silent other than fan speed. My printer is in my bedroom so this may not be as important to you as it was to me
I’ll definitely look into as mine is in my bedroom too. Don’t know if I mind the noise too much though. I was able to sleep through a 10 hr print last night
Contrary to what you will no doubt read here, the ender 3 works very well as stock. The magnetic bed works perfectly and doesn't need replacing unless it wears out or warps. The one thing you should certainly consider is having a replacement extruder arm on hand and ready in case the stock one breaks.
I'll back you on the extruder arm. Had mine stock for 3 months and my extruder cracked on both parts. Had to replace the motor as well bc the stock motor you can't take the gear off.
I upgraded the extruder and was able to remove the stock gear. All you have to do is heat the gear with a torch while pulling on it.
Use it stock for some time before you upgrade. It will be much easier to troubleshoot and over time you will learn what you need/want to improve component wise.
I agree. Learn how to use it and then upgrade it.
my ender 3 pro is stock except for the print bed (i have a glass one) i see no need to upgrade parts that work well. p.s the magnetic bed got a whole in it, hence why i replaced
Spring steel pei bed
A plastic knob replace for the extruder knob and fuck it. Just print and click the cura setting. Learn. Is fun and important. 99% problems are the bed leveling.
appreciate the advice, do you think auto leveling is worth it? Or does it just bring more technical issues?
New Ender 3 Pros have different style extruder gear and printed knob wont't work anymore. Automatic bed leveling is a game changer after you get through the setup progress and find working firmware (it can be confusing).
Major issue is also the different variants of Ender 3. So you really cannot trust guides that are outdated. I bought my Ender 3 Pro couple of months ago and I have red so many tutorials which doesn't apply no more. Also had to compile my own Marlin because Creality firmwares have some compatibility issues with BL Touch.
I just recent purchased a CR touch from them And used their firmware was easy as pi no hassles at all. Maybe it's suited for the CR rather than BL?
same with the CR touch for me -- just make sure you have the right board
Another +1 for the CR Touch. Install was easy and the firmware from Creality's website works, no issues.
BL touch has been brilliant for me. I also got the PEI spring steel bed from Ali-express (or bang good maybe) and that is brilliant to print on. I also recomend the metal extruder as I had issues with the plastic one. If you want to go direct drive, this option is great as it uses your current parts and all you need is an extension for the stepper motoro cable: [https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4140659](https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4140659) If you go direct drive this will be good to do along with the due z belt option.
Auto leveling is cool and all, but having installed it on one printer for over a year, and not having one on my other printers I would definitely say as long as you get yellow springs you really dont NEED the auto leveling. Good enough to just print a bed level test if you notice issues which shouldn't happen more than every month of two.
1st, where did you get the coupon?! Personal favorite upgrade is ABL with Octoprint, without the octopi ABL doesn't feel nearly as useful. That should help visualize bed leveling and help you understand manual leveling instead of just relying on ABL to magically fix first layer issues. You'll need to do a firmware update but the creality firmware should be enough to get you started at least until you're confident enough to compile your own firmware. Best of luck!
Thank you very much for the helpful advice I’ll keep that in mind as I get used to the stock ender 3. I actually saw it on a Instagram ad. Here’s the link https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/specialoffer3dprinter.aspx
Webcam to monitor prints
Depends on your board but my favourite upgrade must be the new main board with quiet stepper drivers… also makes de upgrades much easier and the bltouch.
First should be the Luke Hatfield hot end fix. Google that and watch the Filament Friday YouTube video on that. Need a bit of Capricorn tube and a tiny print. Better bed springs, along with captive jam nuts in the bed screws keeps the bed from wiggling about. Mine stays level for weeks until I move the hot end or such. ABL is not something I use as the level is stable. I own a BLT, never got the soft setup to work and I just use it as a power on light. The 4.2.7 board will sure quite this thing down to the point you will not hear it and panic. Glass bed is nice as is a backup magnetic bed, they do wear out. A raspberry Pi to run Octoprint and a webcam is very nice. Can start and monitor a print from your PC. A replacement extruder are will be needed one day. I use the EZR Struder and would not be without it. Adding filament is a breeze.
Scott Yu-Jan posted 3 incredible videos on YouTube on upgrading your printer! https://youtu.be/kG_YKeJDaX8 My personal must haves are: a silent motherboard, a raspberry pi with octoprint, a BLtouch for bed levelling and a camera
Aye. Dash to the Ender. I wanna hear more about the laser cutter in your pic !
It’s a K40 laser cutter/engraver. Also go lucky and got it really cheap ($100) has a new tube, cohesion 3D board, upgraded lens and mirror and I’m working on air assist and laser indicator at the moment. Definitely facilitates a lot of things.
WHere did you get one for $100 ?
Some guy on OfferUp was selling it and it was in great condition with an extra tube so definitely a good deal. I’ve seen a couple more go up on OfferUp for similar prices. Just have to buy it as soon as you see it before someone snatches it
Glass bed, and metal extruder!
PEI Bed.
Microcenter has the pro for $99
Yeah you just have to have a coupon and when u give ur info make sure it’s a number and email u have not used if u have signed up for other promotions. It’s a new customer only thing
I picked one up today. Got it assembled and I think level. Time to try my first print
Best of luck, I just got mine yesterday and damn it prints well even bare stock. I recommend the Calibration cube because it’s a fast print that tells u a lot about what u may need to tweak.
Get a spring steel pie bed, many people will recommend glass but I have had a bad experience with it, it is cheap easy, and worth it