A Rebel 3D Printer: Embrace Minimalism, Ditch the Screen

[@rabidralph]

That Dragon printed really well going to print it myself later

[@jakefromstatefarm8545]

How can I not trust someone with a bro flow like yours. Best hair on KZbin.

[@BV3D]

Haha! Thanks JakeFromStateFarm!

[@dennysawyer3980]

I love my M5C, and this is a great review, but I do have one correction for you - you do not have to be connected to a WiFi network to use the printer with the app. You can disable WiFi on your phone or tablet and the printer will connect to the app with Bluetooth. You do need internet access to update the firmware, and for the initial setup, and you do need a WiFi connection to your local network to print from the slicer, but you can export the gcode to a USB-C thumb drive (or a USB drive with an adapter) and use the printer offline using the app. There will be a warning that the unit is offline and using bluetooth, but just tap the Print button, select the USB tab, select the fie you want to print, and press Print. I do sometimes have to refresh the file listing (just drag down from the top), and my USB-C drive has to be inserted until it clicks, but you're not limited to just using the button or connecting to a network. Also, if your use a USB drive with a cheap USB-C adapter and the app doesn't see it, turn it over. My adapter only works if inserted into the printer "upside down." Even though it's USB-C . . . That said, I do wish the app provided a bit more control, and I wish you could control the printer with OctoPrint, but I find I don't miss the control screen all that much. And I don't get as much ringing as you got on your prints, but I also don't use AnkerMake Slicer that much because I don't like Cura, and AnkerMake Slicer is a broken version of Cura. PrusaSlicer works great, and the AnkerMake website has instructions on adding the printer to other slicers, so you're not limited to using their software unless you absolutely insist on printing from the slicer.

[@BV3D]

Hi Denny, thanks for the correction about being able to print over Bluetooth (and without WiFi). I appreciate it! 👍🏻

[@ronm6585]

Thanks Bryan.

[@BV3D]

You're welcome, Ron! Thanks for watching!

[@gamedevai]

Cool review, still pretty good results on the benchy print considering the size of the model. I made my own larger benchy using a 3D pen since I dont have any 3d printer. It took me 3 hours to complete.

[@yeroca]

You don't need accelerometers on a head that is a fixed design. They can determine the parameters needed during testing, and then just use those settings for the shipped machine. If you change the mass of the head (using a different hot end, for example), then you are saddled with doing the recalibration needed. Do you know if they are using Klipper? Hiding the firmware they use is a no-no, as far as I'm concerned.

[@BV3D]

Hi! I don't know if they're using Klipper. Even if the mass of the head and the bed don't change, it seems to me that things like belt tension would also be a factor in input shaping. The belt tension is user-adjustable (and/or the belts loosen over time), so if belt tension IS a factor, that could explain why this printer's factory calibration works well for some people and not for others.

[@yeroca]

@@BV3D Good point. I'm not sure about that either.

[@FilamentFoundry]

Another excellent video🙂

[@The_Silversunbeam]

I understand where Ankermake is going with this but I question their choices. For a first time user the novelty will wear out quite quickly and the lack of any local control will become cumbersome, turning the M5C into a $400 paper weight in short order. I also wonder what's going to happen when they decide to stop supporting the app and shut down their cloud service. It's neat, but the potential for it to become so much more e-waste is high. Great video BTW!

[@KevinLagan]

ive got two of em and i dint really miss the screen in all honesty. Kinda makes dealing with them easier ive gotten my workflow pretty optimized, through the app.

[@The_Silversunbeam]

Having to open my phone and launch the app every time I interact with the machine is a non-starter for me. Is it a nice add-on to supplement an existing interface? For some maybe, but I really think wholesale replacement long term is a bad idea. YMMV@@KevinLagan

[@brianfortenberry8832]

Do you have any suggestions on how to stop the spaghetti print on the AnkerMake M5?

[@ronalddhs3726]

Hi Bryan @BV3D. Easily a top KZbin reviewer! Thanks for the info. TLDR: Fast I3 style machine (it prints, no screen, one big button). Less jokes than usual, but the maritime terms made up for it :)

[@Enchanted3DPrints]

I guess I still have my sights set on a P1S

[@KAKAFU]

They'll come out with a Screen Addon Kit ? or someone will make one and sell it .. ..

[@t1mblumer]

I'd save $ and get a Sovol SV06 instead.

[@rampart1234]

yeah!

[@walterpolan8561]

If I add a second Z stepper in parallel to a ender3 v2 what should the Vref be without damaging the driver chip or motor?

[@themountain59]

What feature on this printer justifies to spend twice as much for it than for a ender3v3 ??

[@Perkeletricksterservantofrher]

it's funny they make it pure aluminum chassis but forget to put actually useful element like uh maybe a screen upgraded heat break and better parts cooling.

[@makedaevilmage]

imo, i hate having one button for several actions ... just put three buttons on the device ... or make it optional to just put a normal screen and controls on the device. Then again, I might not be the right person for this printer. I'm happy with my Ender 3 and cr10.

[@StumblingBumblingIdiot]

Just saw the @@ in the background LMAO I definitely don't like there is no screen. Heck they could at least offer an add-on screen for $XX and it would make it better. I am too old to look at that tiny cell phone screen to do everything :)

[@Cr4ft3r99]

They do have an add on screen now, although I think it's only for status, not touchscreen/ control

[@stldenise]

I think it's ok if a printer isn't for everyone, younger folks with phones always in their pockets will have no problem with this machine.

[@BV3D]

Yep! I like that AnkerMake was willing to experiment with removing the screen, either as a cost-cutting measure or as a way of being a little more unique in the marketplace. My phone's usually in my pocket as well, so I don't really mind using the app. But I also like having local control. So the older M5 is more my speed. But I think as long as AnkerMake sells as many M5C units as they're expecting to, it'll be a success for them.

[@LightYear_Studios]

Had the Ankermake M5 for the time I owned it I was servicing it more than making things its a Hard Pass

[@StewKeto3DPrinting]

Great review as always. I thoroughly enjoy your puns and clever scripting, too, maybe just as much as the content. But I won't buy a printer that requires me to use my phone in order to operate it. I work as a network engineer and there's too much data mining going on, not to mention daily data breaches to consider adding yet another app to my phone. No, if I need a phone and account to operate the machinery in my home, I'll pass. You used the phrase "hard sell". I can't say what the price point would be before I would consider such a machine, but as is, no more than 25% of the current selling price due to too many cons and not enough pros. Would you buy a microwave oven with just a Play button but that needs your phone to do everything else? No thank you.

[@yeroca]

You might enjoy "This Old Tony" too, if you like clever humor.

[@DouglasFish]

[@BV3D]

It just occurred to me I've been listening to his music for like 40 years. Wow am I ever old!

[@DouglasFish]

@@BV3Dyour hair tells a story

[@BV3D]

@@DouglasFish If it does, it's not a SHORT story! 😁

[@rampart1234]

Gotta give this printer a BIG 👎👎👎.