REPRAPGURU Prusa 13 V2 Black 3D Printer Kit Review

Tinkerers love taking things apart, seeing how they work, and putting them back together again.

DIY kits allow tinkers to build the final product from the ground up and get their hands into the guts of a machine. Therefore, the RepRap Prusa 13 V2 3D printer is something like a dream come true.

This is a cheap 3D printer kit that users assemble themselves, all in the comfort of their very own home.

Though not as robust as other 3D printers on the market, the RepRap is highly affordable and enormously versatile in compatible operating systems and filaments.

Check out our RepRap Pruse 13 review to see if this kit is the right one for you!

REPRAPGURU DIY RepRap Prusa 13 V2 Black 3D Printer Kit: The Details

Specs

• Weight: 12 pounds.
• Print Dimensions: 8 x 8 x 7 inches.
• Filament Types: ABS, PLA, Conductive PLA, Wood, Metal Composites, and dissolvable PVA.
• Ready to Print: No; assembly is required.
• Compatibility: MAC, PC, and Linux.
• Warranty: 30-day money-back guarantee.

How Does it Work

This is definitely not a plug-in-and-go printer. After assembly, users will need to download firmware and software, and then fine-tune the calibrations on the printer to their satisfaction.

A hanging spool holster keeps filament out of the way, and a borosilicate heat bed provides a clean, level platform for the print to be built upon.

Though bare-bones in appearance, the RepRap is certainly not lacking in functionality.

Once you are ready to print, download the files onto an SD card and slot it into the printer.

Accessories

No accessories – aside from an instruction manual and a 110v US cord – comes with the kit.

You will need to have your own tools to assemble the printer, like screwdrivers and drills, beforehand.

Features

Hanging Spool Holster

Filament spools are kept out of the way with a holster that is attached to a supporting strut on top of the printer.

This is a useful feature that clears up your workspace and a definite perk for those keen on organization.

Borosilicate Heat Bed

Some jobs require a heated surface.

A specially designed heated bed made with borosilicate glass is RepRap’s solution and a handy one at that.

30 Day Return Policy

Not everyone is able to build a 3D printer or has the time to, and RepRapGuru understands this.

They offer a 30-day return with a full refund should you decide that the RepRapGuru 3D printer is not for you.

No Computer Connection Required

This machine operates on an SD card system. No hard-line connections or Wi-Fi needed; all you need to do is upload the print job onto an SD card and pop it into the RepRap.

This is great for anyone who worries about the printer losing connection to the computer mid-print and stuffing up the print.

Open Source Firmware

Open source firmware means that you can look at all the nitty-gritty details of a product, and so can the whole online community.

There is always something pleasing about this sort of transparency.

Widely OS and Filament Compatible

Macs, PC’s, and Linux operating systems are compatible with the RepRap.

Just as users can design the print models on any computer, so too can they use just about any type of filament. Few printers are this versatile.

REPRAPGURU DIY RepRap Prusa 12 V2 3d Printer Kit Review

The Positives

30 Day Return Policy

A money-back guarantee is always pleasing to be offered.

While the company really wants you to love your device, they know that building one from the ground up might not be a doable task for everyone. But there’s no need to worry.

So, if you order the RepRap and decide that it is really, truly not for you, just send it back without hassle and have your money returned.

Good for Tinkerers

Hobbyist or professional, if you like tinkering, then this printer is a great opportunity for you to get your hands dirty.

In building the RepRap from the ground up, users will intimately know the internals of the printer and have some knowledge in the bank if any issues crop up.

There’s also nothing like the pride you get from building something (especially a machine) from the ground up.  There will be plenty to learn throughout the process, so you can really understand the workings of your machine.

While tools are required, RepRapGuru reassures there won’t be any extensive drilling, smoldering and cutting so you won’t have to be a skilled craftsman to try your hand at putting this printer together.

Assembling the printer can be a challenge, but a great activity to share with the kids, friends, and family.

Good Quality Prints (After Calibration) at a Great Price

3D printers can get very pricey.  At its price point, the RepRap is definitely on the cheaper end.

For how versatile this printer is, it is well worth the price, and a good way to try 3D printing out for the first time – especially with a return policy backing your purchase.

Once built and calibrated, the RepRap can make some surprisingly high-quality prints.

Not to say that affordable machines cannot perform as well as high-end models, as they certainly can; we are simply very pleased with how well this printer performs.

At its price, you definitely get a quality machine that you can build from the ground up and make your own.

Customizable

While you’re pretty much good to go after you’ve built your printer, it doesn’t just have to stop there. Customers have raved about how customizable the RepRapGuru 3D printer is.

Once you’ve mastered 3D printing basics, you’ll be able to tinker some more by adding a number of different parts and modifications so your printer can do as you wish.

This is great for those looking to grow with their machine, or master new printing techniques – all for one low price!

Great Support

You’re not alone when you purchase this product, the company is known for having superb tech support, and their free part replacement is something that can really come in handy.

Their service department is praised for being super helpful and informative so if you get stuck, they’ll be there to help you along.

Since this is a build-it-yourself product, some support is definitely appreciated.  As a bonus, you’ll also have guided assembly videos to help you along  – more details in the point below.

Guided Assembly Videos

Assembly is a lengthy process. If you are new to 3D printers and find yourself a little flummoxed, then the guided assembly videos RepRapGuru have put together will be useful.

These videos are super handy and will walk you through assembly from start to finish, this way you’re not left alone to troubleshoot and fumble through the task of getting your printer up and running.

The Negatives

Assembly Required

Despite the handy guided videos mentioned above, assembling the RepRap will take users roughly eight to ten hours.

That is the better part of your weekend gone. Plus, calibrating the machine itself will use up even more time.

And this is only the case when all of the parts are actually included in the shipment.

Patience is a requirement when choosing the RepRapGuru3D printer, but if you’re ready for a weekend of tinkering, then you’ll be fine.

Quality Control

There are many reports of customers receiving their kits only to find parts missing or in poor condition.

Mostly, RepRapGuru has been quick to replace these parts, at no additional cost, but seeing such poor quality control is concerning.

Other issues with quality pop up with the plastic used in construction too. At times, parts do not align correctly, causing damage to each other over time. Use a little extra caution (and patience) during assembly to avoid this.

Tricky Customer Service

RepRapGuru’s customer service and tech support teams are helpful – if you manage to get through to them.

There are a worrying number of reports where customers attempted to contact a support agent and received no response.

Given the number of issues that they handle, we would hope that support would come through in a more reliable manner.

Paid 5-Star Reviews

This is a hum-dinger of a problem! RepRapGuru offers customers a free filament reel in exchange for a 5-Star review on Amazon.

This is a shady business practice and shows a worrying lack of integrity. They may be trying to harmlessly give incentive, but it could bring some untrustworthy feelings.

Plenty of disgruntled customers have pointed out this practice, citing that they feel as if they cannot trust 5-Star reviews on this product to be honest and genuine. Thankfully, you can always trust us!

Good Quality Prints (After Calibration)

While this 3D printer is certainly capable of producing high-quality prints, it will only do so after a good deal of calibration on your part.

If you are familiar with 3D printing, then this won’t be too much of an issue.

New to 3D printing, however? You may struggle to calibrate the machine to the point where your prints may be less than satisfactory.

Overall Verdict

The RepRap is a decent machine that can churn out good quality prints – if you know what you are doing concerning 3D printers, and are content to fiddle with the calibrations, that is.

Building a 3D printer is no easy task, and the fact that there are multiple cases where customers have received kits with either missing or broken parts can make shoppers cautious.

Still, tinkerers will enjoy the RepRapGuru DIY RepRap Prusa I3 V2 3D printer kit, and if you like a challenge, then this is an option you should check out.

Where to Buy the REPRAPGURU DIY RepRap Prusa 12 V2 3d Printer

While 3D printing is growing in popularity 3D printers are not yet a common device used in every home. Tack on a DIY model, and it becomes more of a niche product, geared to specific crafters.

For these reasons, finding the RepRapGuru DIY RepRap Prusa 12 V2 3D printer in-store and online can prove to be tricky.

While it’s always best to check 3D printing and specialty shops, you can also check their website to kick-start your search.

• RepRapGuru (from $279)

But of course, you can also find this 3D printer on Amazon.

That’s all for our review on the RepRapGuru 3D Printer. Curious to give it a go?