Build Blog 1

So I am starting my build of my new Prusa Mendel. And of course the wiki for reprap goes down right off the bat. Not completely down but the build page is giving me a 404 :(

Luckily it wasnt down for long.

Step 0: Good Music Playing..... check

Step 1: Frame Triangles
2 footed frame vertices... check
1 frame vertex... check
1 bar clamp... check
3 370mm M8 threaded rods... check
14 M8 nuts and washers.... check

Check

That's one side, now I get to repeat with the other side.

I had a little trouble getting the not footed frame vertex into place on the seconds side but nothing that bad. I think it was because I didn't have the nuts tight enough on the footed rod.

Step 2: Front Threaded Rods
2 assembled frame vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
1 y motor bracket... CRAP. I dont have this piece yet :( lets see if I can move onto another part

Step 3:
2 assembled frame  vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
14 M8 nuts and washers... check
2 M8x30 fender/mudgaurd washers... check
1 608 bearings... check
2 294mm threaded rods... check

Wait a minute, So I went back and watched the video associated with instructions and the missing y motor bracket looked different (and kind of like a part i did have) so I went and confirmed the part with they guy I got them from and yes, I have all the parts for step 2... back to step 2..


Step 2... Take 2:


2 assembled frame vertex triangles... check
2 bar clamps... check
1 y motor bracket... check
18 M8 nuts and 19 washers... check
1 608 bearings... check
2 294mm threaded rod... check

So I had to remove one side from step 3 in order to get step 2 connected but it all turned out ok.

Step 4: Top Threaded Rods
2 assembled and connected frame vertex triangles... check
2 z motor mounts... check
12 M8 nuts and 16 M8 washers... check
2 440mm threaded rods... check

Easy peasy :)

Step 5: tightening the frame
2 bar clamps
4 M8 nuts and washers
1 440mm threaded rod

Unfortunately I dont have the recommended frame jigs, but I will get them if I need to rebuild.
Getting the threaded rod through the bar clamps on the sides was crazy hard because the bar clamps were slightly too small. In the end I ended up grabbing out electric drill/screw driver and drilling it into place.

And at this point is where things got a little complicated with the build because I am building a slightly newer version than the one that the instructions made. I added the 2 smooth bars the move the plate forward and back but those needed linear bearings instead of the PLA bushings. getting the smooth bars through the bar clams was a nightmare. I had to get the drill and drill the bars through and that only worked part of the time. Often I had to first drill through one of the threaded bars and then force the smooth bar through >.<

Also at this point I started to not be sure if I had the correct pieces so I decided to stop for the day (my head was starting to hurt badly as well).

I think there are some electronics that I have to start soldering before I attach the heated plate. Hopefully I will get a chance to work on that later in the week.

Start time: 5:40pm
End time: 9:34pm

~(' ')~