Creality Ender 3 V2

Contrast#

Pros#

  • Very inexpensive for what you get
  • Quick assembly
  • You will learn a lot of things
  • Local ability to purchase and, at times, get parts for

Cons#

  • Lots to do with leveling as the included springs are shit
  • Z-offset work comes after bed leveling since the springs can also raise or lower the bed
  • The bed itself isn’t always ‘flat’ so a bed mesh sensor really helps
  • Flexible build plate is not included as I find it much more convenient Flexible Plates
  • Mesh bed leveling option is not included but pretty easy to add on

Check out the filament recommendations and commentary.

Either Pro or V2 (S1, which is new, has many of these upgrades already)

BLTouch#

  • $45-$50, and suggest you buy a real one not a knock off
  • better leveling for printing cause nothing is ever perfect (bed mesh leveling)
  • life be easier as your bed ‘changes’ this can address minor float
  • Amazon (affiliate)
  • Microcenter (show them Amazon page to match price)

Better bed springs#

  • means you will be futzing with the changes less on keeping the bed level
  • BLTouch can take care of minor things but it can’t do everything
  • Amazon (includes nicer knobs) (affiliate)
  • Microcenter (show them Amazon page to match price)

Microswiss DD+AMH#

Microswiss Direct Drive + All Metal Hotend

  • Enables easier printing of TPU, which is flexible, and less weird issues with bowden and plastic extruder
  • Amazon (affiliate) $100
  • Microcenter $100
  • Plated/hardened nozzle as brass wears out especially when you start playing with more exotic filament (composite metal, wood, glow-in-the-dark)
    • Microcenter ($22) - like above but plated brass - will wear out faster than above but you’re gonna need to burn a lot of filament to notice
    • Microcenter ($20)

Flexible plates#

These really make life easier and the size you want:

You want this size: 9.25"*9.25" (235*235)

  • BuildTak direct ($67-70 for intitial kit)

    • Then buy yourself 5 PEI sheets and just use the PEI sheet for everything but TPU.
    • For TPU use the original buildtak surface or use blue painters tape (you have been warned)
    • Additionally buy another flexible plate so you can swap easily - one with PEI and one with the original surface and use what is best for the job (do not print PETG on the original surface or you will be very sad; I was when I did)
    • Additional sheets have their own costs of course, and the extra flexible plate - you’ll burn about $120 in total but the 5 sheet PEI pack will last a long time. I have used 2 PEI sheets up so far so still have more in the storage box just in case)

  • Creality (local at Microcenter )

    • works decently
    • magnet works great
    • sheet is thin so if you have a material that has a lot of shrink it could pull up a bit but you can get this kit locally