Hi guys, I am starting this thread so we can start getting printing.

I am Johnny Russell.
I live in South Pittsburg, Tennessee
I have a MakerBot.

I am not in Atlanta, but there is not a group forum set up closer to me.
I am printing my first Mendel for myself, and as soon as I can get it going I am putting it to work printing more.

I see you're planning to move up from a MakerBot to a Mendel. I'd be interested in your impressions of the MakerBot. Has it been a good first step, or -- if you had it all to do over again -- would you hold out and wait to get parts for a Mendel?

I am very happy with my MakerBot. I have had issues from time to time, but it is not designed to be industrial, it is made to make a RepRap. Acrylic is not a strong material and there was an issue with the extruder design when I got mine that wore down my motor & held me back. All warts aside I have printed all my first Mendel except for the drive pulleys, and that makes my MakerBot a worth a great deal to me. (now to work the warts out of the Mendel will be the next joy)

If I had it to do over again, in the same time frame I would definitely buy my MakerBot again. I needed to get started and Mendel was not close. It would be a lot harder decision today with Mendel factories sprouting all over the world

Johnny



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2009 11:12AM by johnnyr.

That's interesting: the MakerBot "is not designed to be industrial, it is made to make a RepRap." That shifts my ideas about the machine,

How long is the line waiting for Mendel parts from your MakerBot? We're not in line anywhere, and would like to queue up. Since we're not very far away, it would be a nice trip to see what you're doing and get a better handle on all we're tackling.

I sounded way too critical of the MakerBot, it is an awesome kit. Industrial machines break too, and I am sure I will destroy my Mendel several times. I also plan on keeping my MakerBot running alongside Mendel.

If you would like to set up a time to get together and talk/work RepRap stuff you can contact me at ultimachine.com

No problem -- I can read that to be gentler. I have a similar sense, though -- that I want a MakerBot primarily because I can't just send off my money and get Mendel parts.

I would like to see your setup, so I'll contact you at your website.

Better yet, we would be interested in loading up and bringing our stuff down if some people want to get together and play reprap. Are you a member of Freeside or another space we could meet at?