Detailed setup / usage of a Creality Ender 3 (3D Printer).

Ender3-Setup.txt

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ASSEMBLY / SETUP GUIDES:
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Assembly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me8Qrwh907Q


Print bed leveling:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eqTmb01cBk


Tightening feeder tension (with extruder shims):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5Zl2NJpbsg


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UPGRADES:
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Bowden Tube fittings (not essential to begin with, but these are much better than the ones supplied with the printer and you will want to replace them eventually):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DC594D6/


Clips to secure bowden tube ends:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BCJ4JCCR/


Clips to secure print bed:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XTRX7G


PRO clips to secure print bed (may not fit over middle drive belt area, don't secure where extruder may hit it):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KT37KRW


Extra nozzles:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071SFMJQ1/


Micro SD to SD extender:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9JIUU0/


Filament (eSun PLA Pro Gray):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EKEMUEK/


Upgraded aluminum extruder for Ender 3:

https://www.amazon.com/3D-Extruder-Aluminum-Filament-Creality/dp/B07B96QMN2/


Ender 3 Cable Chain:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2920060


Ender 3 Filament Guide:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2917932


Ender 3 Display LCD PCB Cover:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2858209


Creality Ender 3 board fan guard:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2935204


Ender 3 Cable Clips:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2960375


SD Card Extender holder for Creality Ender 3:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2918770


Ender 3 Extruder Tension Fix:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3066664


Ender3 #1 Part List:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2886192


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SOFTWARE INSTALLS:
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Ubuntu: sudo apt install slic3r wings3d cura


Cura seems AWESOME for 'slicing' STL files into gcode files (for your particular printer to use). THE PACKAGED VERSION ACTS UP, GET THE APP IMAGE VERSION DIRECTLY OFF GITHUB (or use the Windows version).


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OTHER TOOLS / SUPPLIES:
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Isopropyl alcohol pads (for cleaning print bed):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08DDBHX3D


Fill in gaps with probond wood filler:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0086D2L0A/


Small scraper / leveler for filling gaps after printing:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FM8FDS4/


Medium-pointed acrylic markers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZL4DLTK


Fine-pointed acrylic markers:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZG2VF8


Acrylic sealer (clear coat over acrylic paints):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003W0A19U


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PERSONAL NOTES:
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Z stop should be AS LOW AS POSSIBLE, so extruder is ALREADY VERY CLOSE TO PRINT BED #WITH THE LEVELING ADJUSTERS TIGHTENED ALL THE WAY DOWN# (tighter springs mean less re-leveling in the future, as they won't go 'out of whack' as easy). YOU DON'T NEED TO RE-LEVEL VERY OFTEN THIS WAY! Just RE-check the leveling once a month or whatever.


Initial bed leveling should be with a piece of printer paper, paper should BARELY be able to move when a good INITIAL gap is set. Use a leveling test print before trying any real prints. THIS IS ONLY FOR AN "IN THE BALLPARK" LEVELING. After doing that, you need to get the extruder nozzle SO CLOSE TO THE PRINT BED THAT IT MAKES THE FEEDER CLICK #JUST A LITTLE# (NOT TOO MUCH THOUGH!) DURING THE FIRST LAYER ADHERING TO THE PRINT BED (SUPER-ESSENTIAL FOR A CLEAN PRINT!). #AFTER THE FIRST LAYER#, THE FEEDER SHOULD #BARELY EVER CLICK#, OTHERWISE YOU COULD BURN OUT YOUR EXTRUDER FEEDER MOTOR!


55 degrees celcius is a good print bed temperature for CLEANLY REMOVING #LEVELING TEST PRINTS# FROM THE PRINT BED (not too hot, so test patterns easily peel right off). FOR #REGULAR NON-TEST PRINTS#, #ALWAYS# COOL THE PRINT BED / ENTIRE PRINT TO ROOM TEMERATURE BEFORE REMOVING, OR YOU CAN WARP THE BOTTOM OF THE PRINT WITH PRINT BED HEAT!


If the extruder's feed motor / gears "click" #HEAVILY#, IT CAN BE AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT THINGS:

1) If the nozzle is TOO CLOSE TO THE PRINT BED, the extruder CANNOT PUSH THROUGH FILAMENT WELL. YOU CAN BURN OUT YOUR FEED MOTOR THIS WAY!

2) If the SPOOL OF FILAMENT HAS A SLIGHT TANGLE.

3) You need to add extruder shims to the feed mechanism (see video link below), to feed it with a better grip on the filament.


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