KIT or self-source? (I really need your personal experience!)

[Synth]

I know, this question has been probably posted a million times before, and to a new user I would absolutely say: Go kit, kid.

But I am not a new user (already builded a 0.2) and I am not in a hurry for a new printer (I can wait even months).

What prevented me to finally own a shiny new Trident is the 800€ wall to obtain the kit (+ the plastics and mods)

So, could self sourcing be a way to save some money AND/OR spread the expense over time? 

 

Share your experience and suggestions, I am all ear!

 

[Synth]

Adding a bit of my personal doubts too as an answer

My doubt is that in a normal computer market, taking single pieces of computer parts over time is not worth it and is better to take everything once in the best moment possible.

But printer components are not electronic, they do not get "old" or " outdated". 

[mvdveer]

50 minutes ago, Synth said:

So, could self sourcing be a way to save some money AND/OR spread the expense over time? 

Share your experience and suggestions, I am all ear!

My first 3 Vorons were self sourced (Voron 2.5 350, Trident 250, Switchwire) The other were kit forms (Formbot - Voron 2.4 300, Trident 300,  V0.1 and Fabreeko - Micron 180).

Kit form: So much easier. All the parts readily available when you start the build but does cost a bit more. And you do not always get what you want in the kit, eg toolhead, bed levelling options, etc. And the postage can be 10-15% of the price of the printer itself. 

Self sourcing: Better components, choice of what you want in the printer but - postage can be an issue (specifically here in Australia, trying to import from the USA.) I got my extrusions from the UK as the shipping costs were less than from Mitsumi in Asia and the total cost of extrusions including shipping was cheaper than getting it in Australia. I had to cut the extrusions to length, drill and TAP as required but saw that as part of the experience). The panels I cut myself as well - Much cheaper but also more prone to mistakes, rough edges, etc.

Hardware  (Bolts, nuts, bearings) I get from Aliexpress - usually in bulk as shipping is free and only takes around two weeks to get to Australia

Print quality and functionality - no difference between the self sourced printers or the kit form printer. (but all the printers have been modified over time)

54 minutes ago, Synth said:

parts over time is not worth it and is better to take everything once in the best moment possible

Probably only true for electronic components, though my first self sourced Voron runs perfectly well on the BTT Octopus v1 board with a Raspi pi 4B installed in January 2022.

Not much changes in the Voron community when a printer gets an update. Case in point is the Trident r2 update which I just finished. All the hardware essentially stayed the same, (the recommendation is motors with longer shafts but can use the existing motors from the r1 build). I only had to reprint the printed parts. (Less than a spool of filament) and it gave me a change to change the color scheme. 

So to answer your question, it most likely comes down to personal choice - where you are, availability of quality components, disposable income and the postage involved in sourcing the components over time. 

[fursphere]

You'll most likely spend more self sourcing.  To 'save money' you'll have to buy the cheapest of cheap everything on aliexpress, and you'll probably get some questionable quality parts along the way.  

[Emil Boman]

I agree with this, having just assembled my first Voron v2.4r2. I purchased the DHM kit that is split in 9 different steps, and it was great.