Fighting with computers

I thought my troubles were over once I've got all the parts for building my 3D printer, including the replacement for some defective parts. As usual, I was wrong: Once I have finished building it and tested all the electronics it comes the moment to select a working firmware. There are several choices for RAMPS hardware but I selected Sprinter firmware as it includes acceleration control plus many people use it. But firmware alone is not complete till you've added all the different adjustment parameters so your hardware works together with the firmware the expected way (ie. a 10 mm move in the G-CODE causes a 10 mm move in your printer). I was excited because once I tested with a thermometer that the hot-end heating and temperature reading was working nicely I thought it will be easy. I used RepSnapper for this basic tests, and next I tried to print a text object. Result was ok, but measurements were still a bit off. But when I attempted the design in the center of this p...

It's been a long wait to finish building my Reprap Prusa Mendel, to source all of the different parts and then to wait for some replacements of defective electronics. The building time has not been very long as I have had long waits in between, but I'd say it can be easily done over a weekend if you have all the parts. Now I have to configure it and to master into the use of the system. My total cost is near 500€ and I have chosen some hardware to be better than average, so I guess cost can be driven down a couple hundred euros if you really push it to the bare minimums. I do not have yet any printed samples to show you though. I can mention the companies I bought from that have given me a good service: XYZ printers (hardware), reprap-fab.org (plastic & extruder), RepRapWorld.com (electronics & PLA filament), Zapp Automation Ltd (stepper motors). One of the things that have worked for me that can allow you to save so cash is to use both, the stepper motors and...