New to 3D Printing, Starting with C2 - Suggestions?

Hello all! Just wanted to introduce myself and see if anybody had any useful day 1 tips for a green enthusiast looking to learn more about 3D printing. I'm as fresh as they come, looking for suggestions on preferred software with this printer as well as any tips/tricks that apply to maintaining and running the machine at its full potential. I've watched a lot of reviews and videos of the Robo C2 and it sounded like a good jumping-off point for a beginner. Thanks in advance!

 

Where are these reviews? Because the only reviews I've seen are reposts of a single video posted to Youtube and websites that copy/paste Robo's on publications on the printer.

 

I'm glad you said something. So as it turns out when you click on reviews for this on Amazon it just links you into the R1 + review forum. As you said reviews for the actual C2 are sparse, which actually set off a bit of an alarm for me. A product out for 5 months should have more than one Youtube review to its name. After researching a little more I found a printer I liked a lot more in the same range (FlashForge Creator Pro). As it turns out UPS also beat my C2 to shit, so rather then return and wait for a new C2 I returned and got a FlashForge. Haven't printed a thing and I'm already upgrading!

 

It's somewhat of an especially weird time to get into 3d printing because there are now an absolute ton of options out there that can be made to work.

Flashforges have historically been known to be really solid machines once you got familiar with Sailfish firmware and how to configure slicers to generate files it can use (Cura and Slic3r and other free slicers did not used to support them, not sure how things are now).

People are going to be really upset for not waiting until the end of this year when a lot of really hyped printers come out from various manufacturers.

 

Flashforge creator pro is good, nothing fancy but works well. Friend had one, it was like my maker-bot replicator 2.

I wouldn't bother with dual extrusion on it, my friend actually removed one nozzle so it was out of the way.

 

A lot of people just used the second extruder as their "spare" and changed tool callouts in G-code to use the 2nd extruder whenever they had to do maintenance on the 1st extruder (that way the printer could keep on printing things).

 

People are going to be really upset for not waiting until the end of this year when a lot of really hyped printers come out from various manufacturers.[/QUOTE]

Don't really care much about the hype, more about the functionality. It took a solid three years to get printing PLA and ABS to become a standard, which means any printers on the cusp will have growing pains before they become viable options for a savvy shopper (with a limp wallet). After having some hands on time with the FFCP, it fits my needs perfectly. If I end up enjoying the process of 3D design, I will probably spring for a newer, high end printer.

 

The hype from people that aren't new to hobby-level 3d printing is specifically because of the functionality.

 

If you say so. Seems to me people who aren't hobby level don't really consider machines that are sub-$1000 in cost, as they can't really handle the volume or quality demanded of industry professionals. As I said, before I drop 10k on a machine I'm going to tinker on a $800 machine. I want one that is easy to learn and has the bare essentials, the only thing the C2 was missing was a decent sized heated platform and consumer support, both of which the FlashForge has. PLUS, most of these models under $2000 use the same generic parts for hardware (same screws, nuts, bolts, etc.) which means you are literally shelling out that extra 1k for a little extra speed and clarity. Not worth it. I'd rather make the jump from 1k-10k and get a commercial level machine....in time.

 

LOL if you think I'm in any way defending any of the machines Robo sells.

 

I actually was interested in the R2, and was about ready to commit to the extra $500, but there's just not enough feedback on the machine. Specs are promising, I like the design (not that it matters) and the connectivity solutions are awesome. It was a tough call, I was also looking at the LulzBot Mini and Prusa Mk2, but both seemed a little more technically demanding for a beginner. I may be wrong about that though, considering how simple assembling/disassembling the parts of this machine are. Seems like the real challenge is design, which I wouldn't really needs a balls-out platform to learn on, just some good software. Again, I'm pretty green, so all of this is just outside perspective. I'm always open to suggestions.

 

Lol nah, honestly most people in the Robo forums seem to have a distaste for their machines. I was just saying for top-of-the-line printers, my wallet is too thin. I would splurge on a 2k-3k printer but I just don't see that added value there. So I'm gonna see whats up with my 3D design affinity, and then go all out on the next machine. For that, the C2 probably would have worked fine, but a combination of the missing heated platform and Henry Mc-HookHands at UPS finger fucking my package...I changed my mind.

 

I have heard this a lot. So should I remove the second extruder from the platform entirely? Or just leave it connected and don't use it?

 

One of the reasons I was drawn to it was that it was so similar to the MakerBot Replicator model, as well as a cheaper iteration from QIDIC. I figured since there were 3 popular machines with the same base design, engineering and software support for the machine would be incredible. Honestly it was one thing missing from Robo that really bothered me, there just doesn't seem to be that much community support or interest.

 

Nah I don't need plug & play, its nice but I'm not adverse to tinkering. I was actually waiting on the C2, the R2 looked nice but like you said, no real feedback to speak of. Just didn't want to take that extra 5-600 dollar gamble, but I have nothing against either machine.