Category Archives: 3D Printers

All my 3D Printers

Wilson II Initial Build

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I decided to build a second printer after realizing the frame of the I3 had a bit of flex in it and without the frame being anchored to a base plate it would rock on fast print moves.

I originally came across the Wilson by MJRice and liked the aluminium extrusion frame and larger 200x300x200 build volume.

Wilson TS reference photo from Github

I had printed about 99% of the parts when i was checking on the final BOM and saw that Martin had made a new Repo on his github named “Wilson 2”.

After seeing this upgrade and noting the stiffer frame, more robust linear rods, lead screw Z-drive, and non-ATX power supply, i decide that i would shift focus to the newer Wilson II design. Having to reprint all the parts was a pain but it gave me more time to dial in the I3 for better prints. Printed in translucent green PLA, the parts were completed in a few weeks with a few failures and a lot of learning.

Build Log

I3 Rework Initial build

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This printer was designed and built in 2014 after 2 years of watching and learning about the 3D printing community.

I chose the I3-rework for its abundance at the time as well as the basic simplicity of the parts needed. After a few eBay purchases for the 3D printed parts, motors, and electronics, a few more on Amazon for the ramps board and belts, I made a trip to the local hardware store. There, I was able to source the nuts, bolts, and threaded rods but couldn’t find 8-mm smooth rod anywhere that wasn’t prohibitively expensive. After visiting a friend for an unrelated project, we happened to look through his basement and found some metal in his father’s stock rack that looked correct. Taking it home it was a perfect 8 mm and is still installed on the printer to this day.

As you can see hear, the initial tuning wasnt PERFECT

Once the printer was assembled I started to learn more about why the prints were failing.

  1. The hotend cooling fan actually needs to be ON to properly cool the hotend and prevent jams.
  2. Bed leveling is a thing
  3. Prints stick to thin plywood AMAZINGLY… even a bit TOO well and they NEVER come off.

My next addition was going to be a better bed leveling setup and a heated build plate with a proper build surface.