Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Part 3 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x, Again, and its on its Way!


(continued from Part 2)

Good News Everyone!  So I just talked to my contact, Dominik, at Makerbot, and tomorrow they are shipping me out my new Makerbot Replicator 2x!

So I should have it as soon as Friday, but more likely next week sometime. I'll make additional updates with the progress/out come once I receive the 2x and confirm its an actual Replicator 2x, dual extruder!  That's when the REAL fun will begin!

Dominik and the Makerbot support staff have been awesome and I'll be recommending them to all of my friends and co-workers who are looking to purchase a 3d printer.  That is as long as makerbot's shipping dept sends the correct one that is ;)

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Part 2 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x! I Returned a Makerbot Replicator 2!


(continued from Part 1)

I was panicking. Maker Faire was only this weekend and I had only purchased a 1 day pass! I quickly sent of an email to the Makerbot SOA, Dominik, who gave me his card when I purchased the 3dprinter. I made a quick post on g+ of my woes of how and of the frustration that I was now feeling and not being able to print because I had to pack everything up and hope I could get let into the fair so I could do an exchange for the right model. I couldn't sleep that night until at 4am I finally fell asleep exhausted.

The following morning I woke up bright and early, made a post to Make on g+ directly asking for assistance as the number on the receipt went straight to automation, and I also called the SOA who I also could only get his voicemail.

It was then i decided to get there at 10 when the convention opened and would call Dominik again to see if he could come get me at the gate and work this issue out.

I arrived, because of traffic, at around 11:15 depite leaving at 9:40 as it supposed to be a 30min car ride.  I had the for thought to bring a hand truck with me to carry those boxes back to the Maker Shed Store.  When I got to the gate, I believe Jennifer was her name, sympathized with me and told me if I couldn't ring Dominick she would walk me in over to the Maker Shed, which she eventually did.

I then found Dominick and he indicated that indeed I could return the printer but however because Makerbot shipping department they completely dropped the ball and had boxed up and shipped out from NY Makerbot Replicator 2's in what Dominick was told to be Makerbot Replicator 2x's.  I'm not sure if there is a problem with Makerbot's Shipping Department because of other similar instances you can watch a video about HERE where this guy is claiming he only received what appears to be a empty chassie of a Makerbot, (which I think sounds like more of scam to me, but with this snafu who knows!)  Hopefully when my unit is shipped out there will be nothing wrong.  I expect some heads are going to roll on Monday for the shipping snafu's.


So Dominick indicated they didn't have ANY 2x's so I just wanted to return the machine and get my card credited back.  Dominick from Makerbot and Product curator for Maker Shed indicated that it wouldn't be an issue to credit my card, it did take a bit of back and forth to do a return on their ipad store software but it was accomplished.  For my troubles (along with having to pay for gas, pay for parking and my time and effort to lug this box back up to San Mateo from San Jose where I live) The gave me a free spool of filament in my choice of color (black) as well as a getting started Makerbot book, and in addition free shipping when I order another 3d machine on Tuesday. (I'm calling Dominick to order and make sure I get a Replicator 2x)


This is why good customer service is KING no matter what business you are in.  There were other printers right by the Makerbot in the Maker Shed, including the Ultimaker, I could have at any point said "fuck it I'm through with Makerbot Industries and I'm going with another 3d printer.  But both Dominick from Makerbot and the Product Curator Michael from Maker Shed took very good care of me, and its the SOLE reason that I'm sticking with the Makerbot Replicator 2x and Makerbot Industries.

I'll make a new post if something goes wonky with the shipment of the new printer, or if I again receive a Replicator 2 instead of a 2x.

(continue to part 3)

Hope you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by!

Monday, May 20, 2013

Part 1 - Maker Faire - I Purchased A Makerbot Replicator 2x! I Returned a Makerbot Replicator 2!


Hello Readers!  You might be a bit confused by the title of this post, please let me explain my adventure with attempting to purchase a Makerbot Replicator 2x from Maker Faire 2013 in San Mateo.

I've been wanting a 3d printer ever since I saw my first reprap in action and then the Makerbot Cupcake.  I was hooked.  However, I placed a few criteria that had to be met before I would purchase any of the 3d Printers.

These were:

1. Dual Extruder.  It had to have a dual extruder so that it could be able to print out two materials at once either for dissolving supports structures or for a combined material say a rigid plastic with a rubber stretch silicone material for unique models and structures.  Also if I wanted to print in TWO colors that would be nice too ;)

2. Large Build Area.  The Build area had to be at least as large as a sheet of standard paper, e.g. 8x10x8, but then I refined that at 8x8x8, so a nice large qube!  (This I deviated a bit from.)

3. Accurate.  I'm still going to at some point pick up (or maybe make) my own stereo lithography printer which is the ultimate in fine detail when it comes to 3d printing, but from the cupcake to the Replicator there has pretty significant increased in the resolution between version of printers.  I wanted at minimum 100 micron layer resolution.  

With those met I would purchase my first 3d printer.  So when last year at Maker Faire in San Mateo, I noticed they were selling the Makerbot Replicator which seemed to meet all my requirements except the build area which is 11x6x6, I decided to wait until the dual extruder version came out.  Then they announced they metal Replicator 2 and its twin with a dual extruder the 2x.  I made decision that if the following year they had the 2x instock at Maker Faire that I would pick up the printer.

I saved all year long, and when it came time to purchase my Maker Faire Tickets I did so with the thoughts of that weekend I would be printing 3d objects to my hearts content!  Then the weekend arrived and we raced out to the convention center in San Mateo.  

I had a wonderful day taking pictures using a rig I constructed out of a light changing pole which you can find here on my photography blog, http://www.cluniephotography.com and Maker Faire was almost over, so we headed to the Maker Shed and low and behold I was told they had the Makerbot Replicator 2x in stock! WOOT!

I discussed the pros and cons of the dual extruder vs the single extruder ultimaker, Hey Ultimaker if you would have had a dual extruder I would have gone with your machine as the prints looks ot me a bit "finer" than the makerbot. (this is something I think they're doing with their software, e.g., either better cutting objects up for a better print or their printers were really "dialed" in to show off the quality.)  I then decided the ability to print out two materials was far more important, and purchase the Makerbot Replicator 2x! I paid $2799 and carted the box home.

Much to my dismay when I started to unpack it at around 10pm I noticed a few oddities in the unpacking video and manual.  I quickly looked and found only 1 extruder nozzel!  I then looked at the front name plate, it said Makerbot Replicator 2! Noooooooooo! They had given me the wrong model!

(head over to Part 2!)

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