Anet A8 Printer and Loctite

[bostonman]

This was my discussion upon getting this printer that you spend more time printing upgrades than using it.

I could just toss the printer and get a better one, but for a few reasons, I'd prefer keeping this. Had I not messed with the frame, and left it as is, the printer would still be in great shape.

[evac]

Why not just switch to an aluminum frame?
Something like: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2263216

All the hardware can be easily sourced and it's relatively cheap.
In my case, I think total cost was around €50, all from eBay.
You can find EU sellers where you can purchase cut-to-size pieces of aluminum extrusion, and all the other hardware is easy to find.

I would highly recommend it as it is a world of difference from the crappy original frame.

Edit: I didn't see properly and mistook your flag for UK, so never mind about the EU sellers, but I would guess it would easy to find also in US.

[Ranayna]

Yes, i used a screwdriver.
It's also not an issue with the threading of the screws, if so, then only with the start of the threading.
The nuts in my kit were just too small and turned with the screw, so i had stop them spinning. Sometimes my fingers were enough, sometimes i needed that small screwdriver. Once i got the nut engaged, once there was enough friction on the nut i could let go. I then tightened a bit more, but only enough that when i put my finger on the screwhead i felt no movement, and turning my finger on the screhead did not loosen the screw again. I would *never* have imagined that the acrylic is sturdy enough to use a power tool.

There are replacement frames on ebay. You can get an acrylic one like the one you have for less than 20 bucks, i was not able to find a metal frame for less than 70, but did not look all that long.

[bostonman]

I have seen the metal frame kit. Also, unfortunately the acrylic being sold is only a few pieces and doesn't include all the ones I need.

The metal frame looks quite good, however, I see two problems: the first is the pieces to hold things together are 3D printed which implies they are weak points in the frame. Also, most of the prints I've printed with the printer have been more than suitable for my needs. Spending more money on trying to improve the design seems a waste and ideally it would make sense to buy a much better quality printer (>$2000) should I have the need to print more accurate parts.

It's too bad the directions don't give better assembly instructions on their intentions of how tight to make the screws. Looking at how the pieces lock together, it seems the screws just need to be turned until they catch. If this is the case, I image extensive use would cause them to loosen. On the other hand, if I use safe (and I emphasize this word) Loctite (safe for plastic) on the screws, I need to assemble, align, remove the screws, and apply the Loctite. Using the Loctite as the frame is being assembled will cause issues trying to loosen them once the frame needs to be aligned with the threaded rod.

[Ranayna]

Do you already have mounted your printer on a base board?
I think that has contributed a lot to the life of mine, since i can move it around without any flexing at all. And i am doing that regularly, since i do not have much bench space.

In the beginning before i had the base board, every time i picked it up it went horribly out of alignment and needed a lot of readjusting.

[bostonman]

Yes, it's mounted to a thick sheet of plexiglass that was enough, but I improved it by framing the bottom with 2x3s.

Also, I printed the brackets to hold down the threaded rod along with the front and rear bracket brace. I've also printed the Hulk support, but hadn't installed them yet.

[bostonman]

Just a quick update.

I screwed two pieces together without using Loctite; these were sections of a broken piece that weren't subjected to Loctite prior; basically pieces I plan to throw away.

First I tightened the screw to where it caught. Basically this was loose enough that it would probably unscrew with the slightest vibration.

Next I tightened the screw with approximately the same amount of torque used when I applied Loctite the first time.

After I went quite tight, and finally tighter than I would normally go to really stress the acrylic. In all cases I waited at least one day between tightening the screw more, and, although I haven't checked it today, as of yesterday, I didn't see any cracking. Also, I tried stressing the piece a bit by gently bending it and this also didn't cause any cracking.

These tests was to check how tight to safely make the screws, and whether the acrylic is really brittle. It seems the Loctite does quite a bit of harm to the acrylic because before when using the Loctite, I hadn't tightened the screws tight, and I applied just a bit of pressure on the frame. The piece literally crumbled into tiny grains with the slightest force on the frame.

Without using Loctite, I can tighten the screws tighter than before, apply bending force, and the acrylic holds up.

[bostonman]

After many days, I tried making the screw tighter, and, after about three-days, the acrylic still looks good.

At the moment, the screw is beyond a safe torque and the acrylic is still holding up. Thankfully this has given me more confidence in assembling the new pieces. Once I begin assembly, I plan to put much less torque than what is on the test pieces, so I should be safe; providing I don't use Loctite.

[bostonman]

Quick question about a base.

I've seen others have mounted their printer to a base. I went to Home Depot and Lowes to look for wood, however, everything was warped just shy of being a pretzel.

Does anyone who has mounted this have any advice on where to buy a nice flat surface piece of wood?