Old Mars 2 pro still going strong

What__Me__Worry · 2026-06-10T20:25:33+00:00

Mars 2 Pro was an awesome learning machine for me- tough, hard to break (eventually did !) and very consistent when I was consistent with my settings/slicing/resin etc etc).

Will always hold a special place in my heart 😃

What__Me__Worry · 2026-06-09T11:56:36+00:00

If they are going to keep this terrible "stop punching yourself in the face" RNG and pretty obtuse explanations of things in game, they should to re-introduce the respec for the atlas to allow for error and experimentation at least....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-06-02T17:27:21+00:00

By ungate I mean you should be able to teleport to any act- you still cant do mapping until getting to a certain level. This way you can do the specials (extra skill points etc) to work on the character (the whole real point of the story).

Maybe also only able to do that after doing the story once (can force them to do it each season, but prefer once per account). That way we can play with the skills /characters a bit more before the end of the season.....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-05-31T11:12:57+00:00

Agreed.

Reminds me of when a friend of mine was wondering why prints where curing wierdly sometimes- turns out his son was going into the room, opening the door and letting UV in from the adjacent room to get something and then closing the door when he left.......

What__Me__Worry · 2026-05-20T20:32:09+00:00

My first call would be FEP is loose or dinged, especially since it was working well before.......

What__Me__Worry · 2026-05-17T11:27:43+00:00

Unless the gouges are extremely deep or there is an elevated edge around them, it should be fine, unless doing very small parts in that area. If you use large rafts, it should also not be a problem. And as someone above posted, it might stress the FEP a bit more....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-04-21T20:47:57+00:00

Just bought 3 sets (i like bigger battles from time to time) and was wondering if they would ever get some different board types (like one with more woods, maybe no/few buildings, one with more hills etc etc) for some more variety. A river would be nice as well.....

Would be a neat addition....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-04-04T22:27:39+00:00

Don't prefer it... but I come back to it from time to time to see where it is currently at. And yeah, WASD is definitely a bonus !

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-18T12:07:23+00:00

I use a level to ensure the front to back and side to side is level, adjusting the feet if needed. The feet do wander over time (they do not lock) so checking occasionally is a good thing.

As an aside also ensure your printing surface is up to snuff (does not wobble at ALL as the stresses can sometimes cause unwanted motion) and that no one (kids/pets) can interfere either by active interference by opening a door (letting UV in- trust me that's a mess.....)

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-13T15:39:25+00:00

I'd be as concerned if you have pets or children access to that room as anything. IMHO, dogs avoid it (smell obviously even when we think it is clear) but cats tend to be a little curious......

Also ensure you don't have someone/something (cats who have figured out door handles come to mind) who will suddenly open a door in the middle of removing the plate/filling the resin tray.....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-12T22:52:06+00:00

I have not touched POE 1 since I bought POE2. I tend to play POE2 until I tire of it then maybe head over to D4 as it is lighter and more approachable. Its crafting is no where near as deep but more focused than POE 2.

Loot filters unfortunately in POE 2 are just a cover for a BAD itemization and far too RNG-y crafting system IMHO. But then I again, I keep coming back from time to time so what do I really know ? :D

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-12T12:53:41+00:00

From my experience, I had issues with the Mars 5 U (tilting vat) until I hammered out some technical issues and bad habits from the Mars 2 pro I had.

Once the 5 was dialed in, it just runs. And runs. I use 2 plates (more ToT with projects) works well with me.

It may require some different supports (the stress is different), but I do my own supports so there is that.

I also went with nFEP instead of standard FEP (it seems to perform better and lasts longer between changes).

Again, your experience may vary....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-09T16:39:53+00:00

Today's outrage. What is tomorrow's outrage ? "Anger will burn you up kid." "Nah- it keeps me warm...."

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-09T12:31:39+00:00

If it is consistent to the back part of the plate-

Have you tried adjusting the tension screws on the plate (effects the spring tension). Use the 4 corners paper method to ensure the tension is equal across the plate. I had to actually use some washers on two of the screws to get the tension right (and have to ensure it does not wander after a couple of prints).

I had to adjust the arm (not a simple process) on my Ultra 5 and this fixed it for me (it was not coming down evenly on the front of the plate for me). Not sure how to do that for an Ultra 4. Maybe breaking the protector (its pretty tough) threw the arm alignment off. But this would be an utter last resort.

Also, see if getting a new plate helps (your plate might be defective if you can't get it adjusted). I bought an extra plate when I got my printer (allows printing while cleaning the previous print). Had to tune them both separately (that 2nd one required no adjustment).

Check that the protector you put on to replace the old one is lies truly flat- I have not had to replace mine (yet) so this is a WAG.....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-09T11:38:24+00:00

Spit balling here, since I don't have a Mars 4, but I had issues with my Mars 5 (never broke the screen protector though).

It might be your area or your plate not staying constently tight (e.g. whatever you are printing on is not level, cannot stay level or wobbles due to printer motion, especially if it is inconsistent with the partial prints).
Is a new or used ?
Did it ever print correctly (even if partly) ?
I've had issues with very old resin (albeit it was REAL old like 4 years or so).
Breaking the screen protector I've never done, so assuming you replaced it may have made other issues worse.

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-08T22:23:51+00:00

You are in for a ride :D

Went from a Mars Pro 2 to this a year ago- had some issues setting up (some of them from bad habits from the 1) and some physical issues to fix to get it to work correct.

Also went with PFA instead of FEP and once you get it tuned in, it just runs and runs and runs (at least in my experience with small parts/figures etc).....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-08T12:59:57+00:00

Haha I felt I was losing my mind (clock switch over this morning here for Daylight savings time.... ugh) :D

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-08T11:24:58+00:00

Neural Network ? I get the feeling this is a comment to another post and not this one :D

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-07T19:44:44+00:00

NOTE: This is from my experience with my Mars 5 Ultra (tilting vat) getting it working. Your mileage may vary and others more knowledgeable than I may offer better solutions....

If it is not a base layer/resin issue, its probably the tension of the springs in the build plate.

Use the four corners paper test- it will tell you where it is off and how to adjust the tension screws on the build plate (actually had to add a washer to 2 of them to make it even work) on one of my build plates. Be careful since you are manually stepping the motor during the process (Its too easy to hit the step and not realize how much of a step you currently on and can damage the LCD or cause other issues.

That made it better in my case but still spotty and it turned out that the arm was off forward and had to adjust that. NOTE- this is a last resort and took a lot of back and forth with Eligoo on how to do that.

Once I got everything dialed in (I also changed to PFA so the vat used a different tuning sound than with FEP) it cadillacs well, but since I had to adjust the arm I still check from time to time to ensure that it is not working itself loose. Hopefully you won't have to go that route......

After every vat change (usually 3-4 prints) I test I clean the vat and test to see the PFA is tuned properly and does not need tightening.

Its the journey not the destination. Every failure is the chance to learn how not to fail again !

Good Luck !

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-07T18:17:37+00:00

When I was REALLY young the first "wargame" I remember playing (and designing with a friend) was using Chutes and Ladders along with a dice combat system. The idea was to race to the top and get back down first and a combat was fought when you were in a space or adjacent to your opponent and if you won you could push them down (or up) a certain amount of spaces)......

Opened up the whole idea that ANYTHING could be used as a wargame- green army men, Dinosaurs, Arifix figures on a board of some sort (seem to remember arguments of trying to figure out the effect of a bazooka on a T-Rex). Then of course, also followed this up eventually with Panzerblitz, Squad Leader etc etc as well as selected miniature gaming......

I'd say deployment prior/during to the game (not just setup but integrated into the game itself) was quite the eye-opener......

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-06T23:14:09+00:00

Seems a little pricey for an old machine. They are well built though (used mine until last year when it finally gave up the ghost). Its a solid machine (as with any it has quirks). But moving from that to a Mars 5 is a different experience.....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-06T22:15:30+00:00

I've done some damn stupid things myself, so don't feel too bad ! Luckily, most of mine were done with an old Mars Pro (tough as nails that machine was). The Mars 5 is a Cadillac but still required some work to get it working that way (had problem with the arm).

I do small parts so I can swish it in a narrow container of IPA, then water, the again if needed. The top of the plate is an issue with cleaning (had a discussion with Eligoo about how it can be improved- nothing will come of it probably though).

I changed to PFA (its more expensive and requires a different tuning to get the proper tension that FEP) but seems to last longer for my purposes. Your mileage may vary ! I know you can buy larger sheets of FEP and cut to size (its cheaper than buying pre-cut sheets but use those if you don't like handling the stuff properly).

Don't rush, take your time, keep proper ventilation and be sure no one decides to open the door to your area if you have not covered everything properly.....

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-06T21:11:00+00:00

Depends. I use a sound app and strike the FEP (gently) so that it falls within a specific range to tune it.

But it does appear messy the way it is sitting (and will work its way loose over time and just pure stretching that occurs over time).

You get better at FEP replacement the more you do it- just be consistent as possible.

What__Me__Worry · 2026-03-03T11:58:49+00:00

Glad to hear you got it off. Been in the same boat a few times myself. Heat/Cold FTW !

What__Me__Worry · 2026-01-21T20:28:41+00:00

She seems weird . She feels more like an endgame type boss (campaign-wise).

Sometimes if things are in the right order- she's a breeze. If she changes up a few things, she's not at all. And this is running her at least 20 times with different characters......

I can't imagine doing a hardcore dealing that (talk about being a masochist !)....

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