Monoprice MP i3 Mini 3D Printer - Teardown & Fixes

[@JustVlads]

New Channel: www.youtube.com/@Just_Print

[@UncleTerrkia]

My belt just popped off, been searching high and lows of how to fix it... wanna thank you for making this detailed video so I can see how the belt goes around the pulleys!

[@AimlessMoto]

Thank you for finally clearing up the price issue in the video! Very glad you've announced this to the audience.

[@plebetopro5786]

The heatsink makes that part of the printer the "cold end", and yes, it is intended to keep the filament cool. If it didn't, the filament goes soft too early, and builds up in the head.

[@Chris-ug7bi]

Nice sequence of well presented and logical vids aimed at beginners. I bought the Wanhao version of this printer around 6 months ago and have been very pleased with it. I think that fan noise is pretty normal- mine sounds exactly the same so dont think its off balance. Perhaps just needs a spacer? I printed a slide on fan protector for mine which stopped me sticking fingers and tools into the blades. The build quality and output from this printer is excellent for the price- despite being limited in size. Main issue is bed adhesion and now I use spray adhesive. After 3 or 4 prints have to clean the bed- which is a real pain!!

[@Jwmtepas]

I like the way You give good, honest feedback on a product. This is better than a Promotion video. Thanks!

[@deadinside7600]

As for the fan, the bearings are on their way out. My wanhao I3 mini started doing the same thing after a few months. Purchased a second one and it was doing it immediately out of the box. Replaced the fans on both with something higher quality. Haven't had any issues since.

[@burgerdeel]

where did you get the replacement fans? any links? I have a wanhao i3mini too

[@stevenschukert6184]

The warping of the bed plate can easily be fixed by buying a glass plate. You just clip it onto the aluminum bed, they’re very cheap around 15 bucks. You can also get very nice adhering and first layers with the glass.

[@kylestyer8240]

I have an ender 3, but have kept it pretty busy. This doesnt seem like a bad second/first printer choice. And such a small footprint

[@Dave51262]

Great videos Vlad on this printer. Very good analysis on the cause of the bed warp with that large zip tie in shipping.

[@mikewaxx]

VERY CLEVER tricks you're using. You must be quite a veteran handy man. THANX for posting.

[@curtmartini66]

I have never printed before. I am an absolute begginer. I bougbt this printer two months ago for $99 but I can not have until Christmas. So in the meantime thank you for your videos and operating experience.

[@JustVlads]

That's great! You'll love it. It's a good starter for sure, especially that it's ready to go out of the box. One thing you will definitely need to learn is how to use Cura, so maybe watch some tutorial videos while you're waiting for your printer. And if you want to make anyting from scratch use TinkerCad it's web based and pretty easy to use. If you need any help let me know. Enjoy the printer, it's a fun hobby indeed.

[@cvicracer]

Awesome video i just got this printer also

[@omaroskeno3314]

I would try using glass to print on

[@Boy777USA]

It was probably sale because they discontinued this model. I also have bought one and still pretty happy with it so far)

[@Hexauslion]

the extra headers are for a Peltier unit likely 5v or 12v and the extra fan header is also for the Peltier unit. they are thin and can create a heated bed for you. not very hot im sure but warm because you have an aluminum bed. that's the kinda mod to add.

[@juliusharper1312]

I'm almost convinced to buy this printer !! Great video thanks for sharing!

[@JosephLorentzen]

You cannot always find it for $99, but you can find a bunch that are very close.

[@ThreadRipper22]

@@JosephLorentzen If you haven't bought one yet monoprice has open box printers for $89.99 I bought one last week and it should be here Tuesday!

[@ThreadRipper22]

@Just Vlad are you using cura for this printer? I may need some advice on the printhead settings when I get mine

[@JosephLorentzen]

@@ThreadRipper22 Got mine before Xmas, open boxed, just over $100.

[@ThreadRipper22]

@@JosephLorentzen Awesome!! Is it working good?

[@zxxyz]

Nice video Vlad.

[@vcancer]

I have the original white one and that sucker is LOUD! And also I get mad layer lines with all prints. I have to print a piece to stabilize the rods on the inside. For some reason one of them is short. And I have to replace the build plate thermistor. It doesn't work so I can heat the build plate. A lot of work has to go into to get this working right just never had the time since I got my CR-10 and Ender 3.

[@marcusbrooks2118]

Wow. For PLA only this printer seems much nicer than the MP Select Mini V2 that I got. Especially since mine's also PLA-only until I rewire the bed heater. Strange that the MP i3 Mini is sold out and/or invisible in the U.S.

[@tc9264]

This model is actually made by Wanhao. You can definitely find it being sold in the US by Micro Center as a PowerSpec i3 mini.

[@lessiansaralonde620]

lol at the dog chewing on the plant in the background...

[@thisiskeithb]

This is such a great little printer, but the lack of heated bed drove me nuts. From what I've gathered, Wanhao planned to release a heater bed upgrade kit, but it never happened. If you look at the main board, there's a BED ADD header. An external mosfet & psu upgrade is required if you want to add a 24v bed, but if you add an AC-powered silicon heater & relay, you can use the stock PSU. Here's a diagram of the pinout for that BED ADD header: i.imgur.com/mZMiZ3B.jpg. Then you just need to enable the bed in Marlin & re-flash. I have a "base" version of Marlin 1.1.9 setup for the Wanhao i3 Duplicator mini & rebrands if you ever want to attempt the mod: github.com/thisiskeithb/Marlin/tree/1.1.9-Wanhao-Duplicator-i3-Mini

[@jimwjohnq.public]

I have a Monoprice Mini 3d printer that is dead, as in no power. I was in the middle of a print when it died, which of course ruined the print. I read articles on how the heated bed wiring caused problems. I checked the wires and everything looked good. I thought maybe the power supply died. I connected my backup power supply and still no power. I tried jumping the on-off switch and still no power. Is there a fuse inside that could go bad causing this issue? Any advise / information on how to get this printer back up and running would be appreciated. When this Monoprice Mini 3d printer was working, it worked really good. Thank you.

[@bran9380]

Thanks! This was really helpful.

[@multilecful]

There is a facility on the board to fit a wifi controller board. I used an esp8266 board, it powers up fine but the firmware needs to be changed on the motherboard. Not for the light hearted. Also mine seems to get through thermistors. They fit in the hot end. If I was you I would get some spares now plus an extra heater capsule as the 24v heater is not off the shelf. All available from Aliexpress.

[@JustVlads]

Thanks for the info!

[@multilecful]

www.aliexpress.com/item/1PC-6x20mm-Ceramic-Cartridge-Heater-12V-30W-24V-40W-for-CNC-3D-Printer-Prusa-Mendel-Print/32816791895.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.34c84c4d2PVMbU 100K ohm thermistors available locally, pretty standard, get a few with the 2 pin white 2.5 idc connector 1M long should be a direct replacement.

[@TheDracfink]

would this printer be able to do rims for a 1:25 scale model car?

[@helmer5667]

Yes

[@TheDracfink]

@@helmer5667 ty

[@helmer5667]

Cool idea!

[@Dailyfiver]

I have one of these and the belt that controls the bed position snapped. Any idea where I can get a replacement for it?

[@KataraVtuber]

Hi Vlad. im wondering if this printer can print multicolor in one object? If yes, pls show how. Tq

[@halfcaf1105]

It's because this an old model and a newer one is out for sale already. They are just trying to push what stock they have left.

[@Biff8899]

What printer is this exactly, it is not a monoprice select min v1 or 2, the insides are completely different, there it no easy to remove back panel at all, no internal psu, and either the video is mirrored or everything is on the wrong side vs the monoprice ones, so what is it exactly??

[@eyes21st]

Thanks

[@bruceakers7003]

what are you using for CAD software.....especially for a beginner that may not want to initially invest much $?

[@exadorthecat3346]

After moving my printer, the print head crashes into the post when I try to level or print. Any suggestions?

[@tdscwhelan]

13:59 you unplugged it from the mains...right?

[@JustVlads]

Yes, it was unplugged. Thats usually the rule of thumb for me before i take anything apart.

[@bran9380]

@@JustVlads *usually*

[@stephenrogers7886]

I like this printer but I can't find it here in the UK for that price 😒 . I bib like the video 👍

[@unclegamer6705]

Would have been easier to add a thin glass plate to the top of the bed for leveling.

[@gilkintanah2013]

What program slicer do you use?

[@can3dprint746]

Great info

[@FUBAR19]

Can you make a 1/87 scale model. I’m interested in buying one but I will be using for 1/87 scale models

[@JustVlads]

Look into SLA 3d printers.

[@FUBAR19]

Just Vlad yes sir thank you for the information I appreciate it

[@crcfran]

Im looking for this one but cannot find it at this price range, in monoprice.com is sold out, anyone knows where to look?

[@faumnamara5181]

Idle check of ebay in UK the next model up to this is being sold for £15.11 ($25) including shipping - so thought worth a purchase.... but being so cheap waiting to see if its a scam...... if not YAY ! Seller seems to have a few of them apparently new not second hand. ​

[@Chris-ug7bi]

A few ads like this have appeared on Ebay over the last week or so- they disappear after a few days so are either scams or listed in error. Depending which version you go for they range £160 to £240 but I think tbey are all identical (the i3 ones).

[@neva-surrender]

What do you do if it clogs?

[@SKTWoodDesign]

Great Videos - Want to get one to make jewellery!

[@JustVlads]

Look into an SLA type printer.

[@manuelc2034]

Hi I bought this printer can you send me the file to print the plastic for the table springs

[@JustVlads]

www.thingiverse.com/thing:3056318

[@dimyetienne7237]

This would be great to make cheap toys for children.

[@3rdaxis649]

Why do I keep seeing videos about this printer but can't find it ANYWHERE.

[@MC14001]

This printer is has better motors than my Monoprice Select Mini V2 wtf monoprice also has better internal componets

[@berencam]

No it doesnt

[@MC14001]

@@berencam Yes the Monoprice Select Mini v2's z stepper motor is a circular Chinese piece of crap and the the whole z axis is a lot worst than this printer.

[@berencam]

Yeah it's a circular one. But it is just as accurate as the square one.

[@kitt28]

its not even a $100 dollars anymore :(

[@darrengelly138]

Got the Cocoon version for Christmas, what a piece of shit. Wasted so much time on failures, wasted 3 1kg rolls of filament wire A burning out, extremely disappointing entry in to 3D printing. Manufacture tried to help but lost interest. Waste of money and timo😡😡👎👎

[@paulwills7902]

Stop saying 'Guys' every other word

[@travislogsdon5381]

Please stop saying $100 in the video description. The printer can no longer be purchased for that price.

[@TechOut]

Just got an open box for $86