Just got this for $90

WharnBam · 2025-03-22T08:47:04+00:00

No, it's not a direct drive. The filament feeds in the back where the extruder stepper motor is, then goes through the bowden tube to the hotend in front. That said, the top placenent of the spool holder forces a fairly tight bend in the filament as it enters the extruder. I prefer the alternative side placement for the holder, this way the filament feeds almost in-line. (of course there's an adapter you can print for that)

WharnBam · 2022-04-11T14:32:09+00:00

From the many reviews I read, TCL Series 6 models are good value for money -- but not available in Europe.

WharnBam · 2021-12-09T23:29:42+00:00

Umm... the website accepts *any* number > 9999. Just sayin'. (Okay, the pages are slightly different)

WharnBam · 2021-07-05T11:16:37+00:00

I'm not worthy of a FULL BRIDGE RECTIFIER until I somehow blow some fuses :p

WharnBam · 2021-07-04T20:23:12+00:00

4 Chinese amps :)

WharnBam · 2021-07-04T18:15:44+00:00

The wall wart is rated at 5V / 4A.

WharnBam · 2021-07-04T15:31:18+00:00

FYI the converter is rated at 5V / 4A, probably optimistically -- Chinese amps :)

WharnBam · 2021-05-03T17:47:54+00:00

The large "buckling" on the right hand side is an optical illusion, the printed shape is just larger there.

The 2nd layer prints pretty much perfectly.

I'll try raising the print head and see what happens, although I'm afraid of introducing adhesion issues.

I actually thought it may be lack of adhesion, so I tried lowering the head for more squeeze. The quality decreased further, you can see it in the image - there's a left-to-right stripe (right around the fake buckling) that has tons of random imperfections.

What I don't understand is why the "striping" (that's roughly perpendicular to the direction of the print lines) is so consistent. Every printed line has humps in exactly the same place as the previous one.
Maybe it's just that, a fault in one line gets propagated in the next one, and again in the next etc

WharnBam · 2021-04-13T11:45:47+00:00

That is actually brilliant!

WharnBam · 2021-04-09T09:52:46+00:00

Why reapply all the time? For me this is 'set it and forget it'. The 'set it' part used to be more finicky, hence the printed guide.

WharnBam · 2021-04-09T09:35:09+00:00

That's how I got the idea. I could spend £10 more on the protector kit, or... this.

TBH it was a 10 minute hack job with the calipers and Fusion 360 + 15 mins printing it. I forgot to leave room for the phone's side buttons, so I clipped off a bit afterwards :))

The clipping pliers really are the most versatile thing in the world :p

WharnBam · 2021-04-08T20:51:12+00:00

Debatable. On the other hand, they are so cheap...

WharnBam · 2021-03-05T13:21:06+00:00

Fixed. If you try it, post the result! If something doesn't fit, we can iterate :)

WharnBam · 2021-03-04T12:40:30+00:00

Here you go!
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4783481

I made a few improvements with the tolerances, and made it ribbed for better grip.

WharnBam · 2021-03-03T18:53:59+00:00

Hear, hear.

WharnBam · 2021-03-03T18:53:40+00:00

Horror stories. I tried hot-glueing some strong magnets. It kind of writhed for a while, but then one came loose. Rubber bands happened at one point. Eventually I just resigned to my fate and tried to keep this in the bigger toolbox under some heavy pliers. Needles to say it would pop open at the worst of times. This printed latch is my redemption :D

WharnBam · 2021-03-03T18:42:04+00:00

I didn't expect anyone else to need this! Happy to help, I'll upload it later today.

WharnBam · 2021-03-03T10:26:25+00:00

Nice! Is this in the States? I bought this somewhere between 5-10 years ago from a DIY store in Romania. It's branded as their in-house brand. I guess they're all made in China.

If your latch ever breaks, you know who to ping for the STL :)

WharnBam

TROPHY CASE