<center>https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ollie-G-and-I-are-building-the-Ender-3-today_.jpeg</center> <br/>
<p></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Ollie-G-and-I-are-building-the-Ender-3-today_.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-115062" /><br/>
<figcaption>Ender 3 plus Ollie the Cat for Scale<br/></figcaption>
</figure>



<p>The Ender 3, as the name suggests, is the improved successor of the Creality Ender 2 3D printer kit, with a larger build area (~220mm+ x 220mm+ x 250), but still with the aluminium extrusion based semi-built-kit construction of the rest of their 3D printer kit line.</p>



<p>Back in
<g class="gr_ gr_10 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="10" data-gr-id="10">June</g> I gave my first impressions and since then it has become one of my
<g class="gr_ gr_12 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="12" data-gr-id="12">favourite</g> printers. While it is smaller than my other Creality printers, the CR-10 and CR-10 S5 (that I love), being smaller actually helps. </p>



<p>Having less mass to move around can help quality at higher speeds, plus it is a smaller bed to heat up and cool down.</p>



<h3>Ender 3 Unboxing and Kit Assembly</h3>



<p>As mentioned, it is a kit, even if a lot of the fiddly pieces are premade for you, it is still more of a kit than, say, the Mini. The instructions are fine. Not stellar, but ok.</p>



<p>While it arrives flat packed, which will save you on shipping, even if you buy it from within the USA, you also get the benefit of intimately knowing your printer, without the really frustrating parts or any soldering. </p>



<p>You get a one printed sheet of instructions, and a more detailed digital set on the included SD card (with an included card reader, which is a nice touch).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-06-16-15.20.56.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115063" /><br/>
<figcaption>The Ikea-Like Instructions are sufficient to get the machine built quickly</figcaption>
</figure>



<p>Included in the box are the main tools, which is always a nice touch, but you will likely own better quality in your existing toolbox. I used my own
<g class="gr_ gr_65 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="65" data-gr-id="65">allen</g>/hex wrenches which have nice handles and speed things up. </p>



<p>Having them there is better than not having them and needing them, of course!</p>



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<p></p>



<h3>Buying the Creality Ender 3</h3>



<p>Partly due to the fact you build it yourself, it is available at the shocking price of under $300 USD from USA resellers. <a href="https://tiny-machines-3d.myshopify.com/products/creality-ender3" target="_blank">Tiny Machines 3D</a> (who I bought my CR-10 from) have it listed for $270.</p>



<p>If you <a href="https://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_1845898.html?lkid=15952139" target="_blank">buy through my GearBest link you get it for $179 USD</a>! The trade-off for the extra cost is with Tiny Machines you do get extra support and service.</p>



<h3>Ender 3 Features</h3>



<p>Unlike the Ender 2, it has two uprights and is supported at the top. It still, however, has one Z motor (the Ender was fine, and even my CR-10 has only one z motor, so I am not worried).</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-06-16-15.17.17.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115064" /><br/></figure>



<p>It uses the same clone Mk10
<g class="gr_ gr_4 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_disable_anim_appear ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="4" data-gr-id="4">bowden</g> setup, which is a proven good performer. One thing to look out for with this setup is the
<g class="gr_ gr_46 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="46" data-gr-id="46">bowden</g> can loosen and even come away. Chuck has a nice video about ensuring you <a href="https://youtu.be/x35aWmnZ_A0" target="_blank">get good extrusion on your Creality machines here</a>.</p>



<p>Speaking of clones, Creality did <a href="https://github.com/Creality3DPrinting/Ender-3" target="_blank">open source the firmware</a>, which has been a big deal in the community, so glad to see that progress being made.</p>



<p>The bed is 24v for rapid heating (PLA does stick nicely on the
<g class="gr_ gr_6 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="6" data-gr-id="6">builtdak</g> style surface at lower temperatures too).</p>



<p>Speaking of power, apparently it has power cut detection, which I haven't had the need for as I run my machines off UPS, but nice feature to have.</p>



<p>Everything is well constructed, with no 3D printed parts, and it feels sturdy when assembled with no discernable wobble (even after being mauled by my attack-cat).</p>



<p>While it does NOT have any bed-level assistance, the smaller build plate and the nice chunky leveling knobs make it less of a chore than on my 500mm x 500mm CR-10 S5. </p>



<h3>Ender 3 User Experience and Print Quality</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-imgur wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-imgur">
https://imgur.com/a9dlfro.gif
</figure>



<p>You can print over USB or with the SD card via the LCD screen and controls, just like the other Creality printers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-06-16-20.49.59.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115070" /><br/></figure>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img src="https://makerhacks.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-06-23-19.03.45.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-115067" /><br/></figure>



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<h3>Conclusion</h3>



<p>I like this printer a <em>lot</em>, and not just because it is an amazing printer for the price point, but it is an amazing 3D printer <em>period</em>.</p>



<p>It's not perfect. Consider paying extra for that USA testing and support. If you assemble it carefully, keep an eye on the bowden tube (or better, swap the guy out), and you use a good slicer profile, then you should have a good time.</p>



<p>Compared to the other printers in the Creality line-up, it is still excellent value, and in my judgment, edges out the <a href="https://makerhacks.com/creality-cr10-mini-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CR-10 Mini</a>. It does take more assembly, but I think it is worth the effort, and it is still less of a kit than the extreme to which I would go, and that would be the <a href="https://makerhacks.com/anet-a8-3dprinter-review/" target="_blank">Anet A8</a>.</p>



<p>My guess is if you need large build volume you are going to skip over that and go for a <a href="https://makerhacks.com/creality-cr-10-3-dprinter-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full-size CR-10</a>, and if you don't need the build volume you will definitely want to <a href="https://www.gearbest.com/3d-printers-3d-printer-kits/pp_1845898.html?lkid=15952139" target="_blank">go for the Ender 3</a>.</p>
 <br /><center><hr/><em>Posted from my blog with <a href='https://wordpress.org/plugins/steempress/'>SteemPress</a> : https://makerhacks.com/creality-ender-3-3d-printer-kit-review/ </em><hr/></center>