Honest review: The Mid-2014 Printrbot Simple (Maker's Kit)

[@Agamemnon2]

Looking back on these early printers with 2021 eyes shows how much the hobby has advanced in just a few short years.

[@ajosepi1976]

I had the Simple 1401, then upgraded to 1405, then got the XL for it, then the Play upgrade, then got 2 Metal Plus machines, and still use one of them. Now planing either a Voron or Rat Rig. Man how things change and how much I have learned from you and this machine.

[@DieMasterMonkey]

I got one unopened in the box I just re-discovered. Long story. Looking-forward to building it!

[@JackBBaltzer]

I wanted to get into the 3D printing world, and after a lot of sniffing around on the interwebs, I bought the Simple Metal Kit. It wasn't hard to put together, took me about 3.5 hours from open box to printing my first test cube. It's not perfect, but I get pretty decent prints from it.

[@jean-marclugrin1902]

I got a PrintrBot Metal Simple (1403) assembled. The doc (settings) could be more accurate, but it works very well and repeatedly produces good prints at a reasonable speed. Really worth the price difference IMHO. Using Cura and MatterControl.

[@djtyros]

You clearly know a lot about these machines. Can you tell me exactly what to do to get better print outs (calibration tweeks)? My first one (wooden 2014) version is arriving tomorrow morning, and I can't seem to find a video where the person is talking through each step to calibrate it or tweak it, or explain like "see that roughness there, that's because the 'thingy' is to tight" etc.... Can you give some advice, or do a video like that? thanks

[@felixdietzCGN]

425€ as a good offer in 2014, amazing how much the market has changed! i just started and paid 230€ for a way better machine.

[@comeUMbolo]

what machine did you bought?

[@felixdietzCGN]

Julio Fontes Sá the UP! Mini (version one). Its really "old" for an 3D Printer but works great.

[@adaml.5355]

I just started and paid $200 for my printer! Ender 3.

[@john-paulhopman318]

Interesting idea to stain the wood.

[@sharxbyte]

I've had mine for quite a while now and I'm considering using the board, extruder, motors, etc. in a larger frame. overall it's served me quite well.

[@ELfromLTF]

Thanks for review, I agree with every word. Zip ties are not ideal solution, but you can buy a metal-case model (powder coated beauty). Why did you choose to take a kit, btw? I'm sure a pre-built models are more reliable, at least that's what they are saying.

[@AndrewStottisTheIndiWerWlf]

Loved your comments about Makerbot/Stratisys

[@pietro666m]

I like your videos. Your explanations and reviews are done professionally and detailed. Numero uno

[@9772783]

Great review!!! best one i have found yet. it would be amazing to get an honest review about the simple metal!

[@fabts4]

What's the problem with the Z coupler?

[@Holako92]

I ordered one. I will share my experiences later. I reckon it is a good one to start but there are better ones.

[@Wraith-Kryptos]

Lol, how much 3d printing has evolved

[@martinpanev6651]

Haha! I literally just bought one of these off Ebay for 65 bucks and I was surprised how *_DIFFERENT_* it is from my new printers! My favorite thing about the Printrbot is that it is smaller than my other printers so it sits in my desk

[@kretoooo]

hi Thomas what speeds can you recommend to get good print on the 1405 (M205,M203,M201) keep marking videos robotsavy uk have it til 360 euro

[@starwars31337]

First of all: very informative review! Is going to be shared. As a German being in the US right now and being interested in 3d printers for quite a time, i'd like to know what to think about the following comparison: Mendel90 vs Printrbot Simple Kit. I saw a Printrbot print and liked it without having been able to compare it to other printer's print. I haven't seen the Mendel90 so far. My budget is pretty limited and the above comparison is 700+€ vs 300€ (getting it in the US). I have to say that heavy tools and stuff are accessable for me. Should be mostly used for functional and daily objects - not too much in arts. I do not have any experiences in 3d printing so far. What do you think? Or do you might even have another model to suggest? Thank you so much!

[@starwars31337]

***** Thank you for your help! So do you recommend the M90 kits by nop head even though they are more than double the price of the Simple 2014 kit even for a beginner? Simplicity of assemble sounds very good to me. Self-sourcing is a little bit too big for me I think. Could you tell me about the major points which distinguish the M90 from the Simple 2014 from your point of view? Thank you once more!

[@starwars31337]

***** Thank you so much. That helped a lot!

[@dsdude500]

Great video but I would have loved to see more prints from this printer in your video!

[@jimdingle4521]

That's the cutest lil printer I ever seent

[@AndyDeMeyer]

I have a printrbot Simple 2013 that I upgraded to the 2014 Maker's Kit (1405) and for the price point it's an amazing little printer! You should check out Cam Watt's Slic3r settings for the Printrbot Simple, these do increase print quality quite a lot: www.camwatt.com/printrbot-simple-metal-slic3r-settings.html Apart from that, I also own a Printrbot Plus V2.1 with dual extruder. I must say that even though I live in Belgium, I can recommend Printrbot to anyone, even though it's a company based in the US. The support I have received from them in the past year is simply amazing. There are companies very close to home that can certainly learn quite a lot from the customer service that Printrbot delivers. PS: I am in no way affiliated to Printrbot, I'm just a very satisfied user...

[@miguelimbach5995]

Excellent review!

[@krich106]

Thats sorta crazy its held together with zip ties lol. But at same time, it costs nothing to buy more zip ties and retighten it. I guess if your on a budget, then by damn your on a budget. Nice review btw, MUCH better than the ones that first pop up.

[@tsepes29a]

the can not calibrte x,y axes the problem is her elektroniks bord g29 saam times trows all tin over te top

[@i.s.production216]

hi

[@vkhelldog]

I got one for $40 it works ok but not great lol

[@l3litz582]

gulp