Over Hyped & Priced or Worth The Money? - Prusa Mini +

Summary

In this video, the creator unboxes and reviews the Prusa Mini Plus 3D printer, sharing their first impressions and setup experience. They highlight the printer's user-friendly assembly, comprehensive manual, and thoughtful inclusions like sample filament and tools. The review covers the initial setup, including the assembly process, automatic bed leveling, and first print tests. The creator compares the printer's ease of use and quality to other models, noting its simplicity and potential for business use despite the higher price tag. The video concludes with the creator's overall positive opinion of the Prusa Mini Plus and its potential to replace other printers in their collection.

Takeaways

• 📦 The Prusa Mini Plus comes with a comprehensive package including a printed quality control test list, sample filament, tools, spare parts, and even gummy bears.
• 🔍 The unboxing experience is impressive with neatly packed and labeled parts, showcasing Prusa's attention to detail.
• 🛠 Assembly is straightforward, requiring minimal effort with only four bolts and foam feet to attach, highlighting the user-friendly design.
• 🔩 The build quality is robust, with a steel sheet build surface and a well-protected mainboard, indicating durability and reliability.
• 🖥 The LCD screen is not a touchscreen but operates via a dial, which might be a minor drawback for some users.
• 🔌 Wiring and connections are mostly plug-and-play, simplifying the setup process for users.
• 📚 The included handbook is extensive, providing detailed guidance for assembly and operation, which is beneficial for first-time users.
• 🔥 The printer includes a setup wizard that automatically tests machine functions and heats up the bed and nozzle, streamlining the initial setup.
• ⏱️ The Prusa Mini Plus offers a quick and easy filament loading process with an automatic purge feature, enhancing the user experience.
• 🐸 Test prints, including the Benchy model, demonstrate good print quality with minor issues like stringing or under extrusion, suggesting the need for fine-tuning.
• 💸 Despite the high price point of $508 with shipping, the Prusa Mini Plus justifies its cost with a superior user experience and print quality, positioning it as a potential business tool.

Q & A

What is the name of the 3D printer model that the user received from Parusha?

The user received a Prusa Mini Plus 3D printer model from Parusha.

What was included in the box with the Prusa Mini Plus that the user found unique?

The box included a printed quality control test list, which the user found unique compared to other printers they have used.

What additional items did the Prusa Mini Plus box contain besides the printer parts?

The box contained sample filament, a bag of tools and parts for assembly, spare parts, gummy bears, a handbook, assembly manual, stickers, a USB drive, an LCD screen, and foam for protection.

How does the build surface of the Prusa Mini Plus differ from other printers the user has seen?

The build surface is a small but nice steel sheet with PEI on both sides, measuring 180 by 180 millimeters or 7x7 inches.

What assembly was required for the Prusa Mini Plus according to the user?

The user had to assemble about four bolts and some little foam feet, which were the only assembly required.

What was the user's first impression of the Prusa Mini Plus after starting the assembly?

The user was surprised at how little assembly was required and how well everything was packed and labeled.

What is the purpose of the setup wizard that the user encountered during the setup of the Prusa Mini Plus?

The setup wizard is used to guide the user through the initial setup of the printer, including testing the machine, heating up the bed and nozzle, and loading filament.

How did the user adjust the Z-offset during the first layer of the print?

The user used a knob to adjust the Z-offset during the first layer of the print, following a zigzag pattern that allowed for adjustments until the end of the pattern.

What issue did the user encounter with the first test print using non-Prusa filament?

The user encountered bubbles or under extrusions in the print, which they attributed to the filament having absorbed moisture due to humidity.

What was the user's final verdict on the Prusa Mini Plus after using it?

The user found the Prusa Mini Plus to be much better than expected, with one of the best user experiences they've had with a 3D printer, but noted the high price tag for the small build volume.

How does the user compare the Prusa Mini Plus to other printers in terms of cost and quality?

The user compares the Prusa Mini Plus to other printers by stating that while it is more expensive, it offers a better out-of-the-box experience and quality, whereas cheaper printers may require additional tinkering and upgrades to match its performance.

Outlines

00:00

📦 Unboxing the Prusa Mini Plus

The narrator unboxes the Prusa Mini Plus 3D printer, highlighting the quality control list and neatly packaged components. The kit includes sample filament, tools, spare parts, a handbook, and some snacks for assembly. The build surface, while small at 180x180mm, is a durable steel sheet with PEI coating. The printer also comes with a USB drive and an LCD screen. Despite minimal foam packaging, the main components are well-protected. The assembly is straightforward, involving only a few bolts and connecting some cables. The user interface features a dial-operated non-touch screen, and the printer includes a setup wizard to test its functionality, which is a unique feature compared to other printers.

05:01

🐸 Testing and First Impressions

After assembling the printer, the narrator tests it with the provided filament and runs the setup wizard for bed leveling and nozzle adjustment. The first test print, a 'benchy' boat, is successful with minor stringing, demonstrating the printer's precision. The narrator switches to third-party PLA filament, encountering under-extrusion issues likely caused by moisture absorption in the filament. After switching back to the Prusa-supplied filament, the print quality returns to flawless. The narrator then tests the Prusa slicer software and attempts printing with silk copper PLA and ASA filament. The printer performs well even with these challenging materials, though minor under-extrusion persists. Overall, the narrator is impressed with the printer's user-friendly experience and its reliable, high-quality prints, despite its relatively high price.

Keywords

💡Prusa Mini Plus

The Prusa Mini Plus is a 3D printer model manufactured by Prusa Research. It is a compact and user-friendly device designed for home use and small-scale production. In the video, the host unboxes and assembles this printer, providing a first-hand experience of its setup and performance. The Prusa Mini Plus is highlighted for its quality and ease of use, which are key factors in the video's exploration of 3D printing technology.

💡Quality Control

Quality control refers to the process of ensuring that products meet certain quality standards before they are released to the market. In the context of the video, the host mentions a 'printed quality control test list' that comes with the Prusa Mini Plus. This demonstrates the manufacturer's commitment to ensuring that each unit performs well right out of the box, which is a critical aspect of the user's initial experience with the product.

💡Assembly Manual

An assembly manual is a guide that provides step-by-step instructions for putting together a product, such as a 3D printer. The video script mentions a comprehensive handbook that comes with the Prusa Mini Plus, indicating that it is detailed and thorough compared to other assembly manuals the host has encountered. This is important for users who may be new to 3D printers, as it aids in the setup process and ensures that the printer is assembled correctly.

💡Build Surface

The build surface is the platform on which 3D printed objects are created. It needs to be flat and have the right properties to ensure that the printed object adheres well. In the video, the host describes the build surface of the Prusa Mini Plus as a small but high-quality steel sheet with PEI coating on both sides. This is significant as it affects the printer's ability to produce high-quality prints and the ease of removing finished prints from the surface.

💡Filament

Filament is the material that 3D printers use to create objects, often made of plastic like PLA or ABS. The video script mentions that the Prusa Mini Plus comes with sample filament, which is a plus for users as it allows them to start printing immediately. The host also tries different types of filament, including Prusa's own brand and ASA, to test the printer's versatility and performance with various materials.

💡Auto Bed Leveling

Auto bed leveling is a feature in 3D printers that automatically adjusts the printer's nozzle height to ensure a consistent first layer of print. The video describes the setup process where the Prusa Mini Plus performs an auto bed leveling routine, which is crucial for achieving accurate and high-quality prints. This feature is highlighted as it simplifies the printing process for the user and reduces the need for manual adjustments.

💡Z Offset

Z offset refers to the distance between the 3D printer's nozzle and the build surface when starting a print. In the video, the host adjusts the Z offset during the printer's setup, which is essential for ensuring that the first layer of the print adheres correctly to the build surface. Proper Z offset adjustment is critical for print quality and is a common step in the calibration of 3D printers.

💡Slicer Software

Slicer software is used to convert 3D models into instructions that a 3D printer can understand, often called G-code. The video script mentions the Prusa Slicer, which is the company's own slicing software. The host tries out this software and finds it easy to use, even though they are accustomed to using a different slicer. This is important as it reflects the user-friendliness of the software and its compatibility with the Prusa Mini Plus.

💡Print Quality

Print quality refers to the accuracy, detail, and overall appearance of a 3D printed object. Throughout the video, the host evaluates the print quality of various test prints made with the Prusa Mini Plus. They note minor issues like stringing and under extrusion but overall are impressed with the printer's performance. Print quality is a central theme of the video as it directly reflects the printer's capabilities and the user's satisfaction.

💡Enclosure

An enclosure is a cover or case that can be used with a 3D printer to contain heat and reduce warping, especially when printing with materials like ASA that are sensitive to temperature changes. The video mentions the use of an enclosure when printing with ASA, indicating the importance of such accessories for achieving optimal print results with certain materials. This is relevant to the video's theme as it discusses the printer's performance with different printing conditions.

Highlights

Received a Prusa Mini Plus 3D printer to review.

Includes a printed quality control test list, a unique feature.

Parts are well-organized and labeled within the box.

Comes with Prusa's own brand filament, known for its quality.

Assembly manual is comprehensive, with many pages of instructions.

Includes a small build surface of 180x180mm with PEI coating.

The printer comes with a USB drive and an LCD screen.

Assembly involves minimal parts and tools, with clear instructions.

The display is not touchscreen but uses a dial for navigation.

The printer has a setup wizard for initial configuration.

Automatic bed leveling and first layer setup are user-friendly.

Printed a Benchy model as a test, which came out well.

Minor stringing issue was resolved with a heat gun.

Switched to different filament due to humidity-related issues.

Printed with ASA material, which requires higher temperatures.

The printer has a simple and effective user experience.

Compares the cost-effectiveness of the Prusa Mini Plus to other printers.

Mentions the potential to replace all other printers with Prusa models.

Provides links to products used in the video for viewer reference.

Transcripts

so i reached out to parusha to see if

they were willing to work with me in my

channel and they sent me this which is

their prusa mini plus so let's open it

up put it together and see if it's worth

all the hype that everyone gives these

machines and just so you know i've never

used any of the products from prusa so

this will show my first hand experience

and what i think of it all so this is

something i've never seen with other

printers it's a printed quality control

test list and when it comes to the parts

inside the box everything is nicely

packed inside of its own bag and it's

labeled and it did come with some sample

filament which with most printers it's

the cheapest pla they can get but this

is their own brand which i know is

pretty good there's also a bag of all

the tools and parts you're going to need

to assemble this along with some spare

parts they've also included some gummy

bears to snack on as you're building the

printer there's also a handbook assembly

manual and there's an absolute ton of

pages in this compared to other printers

i've gotten along with some stickers in

the back

and this is the build surface for this

printer and you might notice it is

pretty small but it is a nice steel

sheet with pei on both sides and this is

only 180 by 180 millimeters or 7x7

inches but anyways back in the box it

comes with its own usb drive and then

underneath this cardboard flap there's

the lcd screen along with the first bits

of foam and i'm kind of surprised this

whole box wasn't just filled with

different layers of foam in it and it's

actually nice to see that it's mostly

cardboard especially the foam being kind

of hard to get rid of but underneath all

that we have the main 3d printer parts

and they're just housed in a thin layer

of protective foam and with everything

out of the box i actually start putting

this thing together and surprisingly the

only assembly i have to do is about four

bolts along with some little foam feet

that just stick on the bottom there's

five of them in total they're going to

use and four of them go onto this piece

on the ends of the aluminum extrusion

and just one over here in the hole that

is shaped like it on the other side of

this piece you do have to remove a bolt

to get this cover off because we're

gonna have to get in here to plug some

stuff in and here's a closer look at the

main board after it's all opened up so

here's the display and the ribbon cable

for it that we're going to plug into the

main board and this is not a touch

screen you're going to be using a dial

for this for that ribbon cable just goes

through the side of the box and plugs in

right here and then it just kind of runs

underneath this unit and then i could

just line up the two pieces and bolt

them together and this can be a little

finicky seeing that the mounting points

can move if they're not on the right

spot you can move them with an allen key

so with the entire machine flipped up on

its side there's this connector that i

need to plug in for the y-axis stepper

motor and this needs to go up through

this hole in the case and it's real

tight in here so i'm using some tweezers

to actually pull this all the way

through but with all of it in the case i

need to plug it in right here and again

because it's pretty tight right here i'm

going to use the tweezers to put it in

place and it's just one bolt to install

the display and just don't over tighten

it and this is going to be pivotable

and the only thing left for the display

is to attach the ribbon cable to it and

tuck it into the machine the last things

we need to plug in are the connections

for the bed and the larger one is really

easy to plug in and the smaller one i

just use the tweezers like i did before

then just reinstall the cover and screw

it back on and make sure you don't pinch

any of the wires and the build surface

is magnetic so it just kind of sticks in

place

and this is the spool holder let me put

it together real quick and this is a

simple little thing made out of bearings

nuts and bolts and some 3d printed parts

and it's also size adjustable so it

should work with any roll of filament

this just happens to be a roll of asa

from prusa that i'll be trying out later

in the video but for the first couple

prints and the setup i'm going to be

using the supplied filament and all i

have left to do is plug in the usb and

turn it on and it looks like it's

working and now it's verifying and

loading and i need to pick my language

and this is definitely something i'm not

used to a setup wizard so i'm going to

work my way through this and i guess

it's going to just test the machine

overall and make sure everything's

working which this is pretty interesting

seeing i just normally home my printer

to make sure everything's moving right

and then have to manually test

everything else it's also heating up the

bed and nozzle to check those

and with all of that done i can finally

load up some filament and i'll be using

the galaxy black stuff that they

supplied with this and then just go to

load and pick what material i'm using

and as soon as i push continue it

quickly loads up the machine and then

starts heating up to do an automatic

purge so finally after all that i can

start doing sort of a print this is

going to set up the auto bed leveling

and my first layer so i can adjust my z

offset and it'll just start printing and

you have to use the knob to adjust it

down to the right point and as you can

see it started off way off of where it

needed to be but it does this little

zigzag pattern pretty slow so it gives

you plenty of time to adjust

and at the very end of the pattern it

does a solid piece so you can see if

everything is sticking together or if

you still need to go down a little bit

more and once this is all finished it'll

give you the option to go back and redo

this so you can get it fine or tuned or

you can go on and that's pretty much the

end of the entire setup process and we

can finally start actually using the

printer so i'm just going to go to print

and there's a bunch of pre-sliced files

on here i'm just going to go to the

benchy one and it's really nice to see

that it shows a picture of it this is

going to take a little over two hours to

print so we'll start it now and here's a

quick time lapse of the entire process

nothing special but here it is and here

it is all done it has the tiniest bit of

stringing on it that i wouldn't even

count as stringing but it looks like it

came out pretty good and to get it off

the build plate i'm just going to flex

it and it should just pop right off and

here's a look at the text underneath the

boat and on the back and a quick tip to

get rid of those little stringy bits

just use a tortoise heat gun on it real

quick and they'll pretty much just

disappear so i'm going to use some pla

from mater hackers and pick a different

test print and see how this turns out

seeing that the settings for these are

probably sliced for their own pla but

here's the finished frog and it looks

pretty good until you look a little bit

closer at the finish there's a bunch of

little bubbles or under extrusions all

through this but i don't think it's

actually the printer's fault this

filament has been sitting out for a

couple months and it's been really humid

so i think i might have a little bit of

water in here so i switch the filament

out to the other supplied one and

reprinted the frog using the same g-code

and you can see it came out flawless so

it's definitely a problem with my

filament so i'm going to throw it into a

dehydrator for about six hours to make

sure to remove any of the water that

could be stored in it and while i'm

doing that i might as well check out the

prusa slicer seeing that i've never used

it and it was pretty easy to slice this

model nothing is in the places where i

think it would be because i'm used to

using cura all the time but it was easy

enough and when it comes to printing

this little battery box i'm going to use

some silk copper pla and i'm going to

use it in this dryer box and about nine

hours later here it is and it looks

really clean besides right at the top of

this it has those same little bubbles or

tiny bits of under extrusion but even

with that it's totally usable and this

was printed without support so there's a

little bit of droopage right here but

everything else looks great

so now i'm going to try out the asa and

see how well it's going to print seeing

that it prints at a much higher

temperature and it can also warp and

it's not the easiest thing to print

without an enclosure to keep all the

heat in so for now i'm just going to

print something small like this clip and

i'm also printing it from the heated

dryer box and the print quality of the

clip came out really nice and it's

flexible to a point and i'll have to do

more printing with this once i get an

enclosure setup so after all this what

do i think of this printer it's actually

a lot better than i thought it was going

to be to be honest it probably has one

of the best user experiences that i've

experienced with a 3d printer and i can

see why people use these for business

there's no real fiddling with it it just

kind of works out of the box and all the

controls are extremely simple so it kind

of reminds me of the whole iphone

situation where they're so simple and

easy to use anyone can do it but they

also come with a much higher price tag

and you're basically trading the time

savings for money because the partially

assembled version of this printer is 459

dollars and with shipping it's 508

dollars not including any tax which is

pretty pricey for the small build volume

you're going to be getting with this and

to put into perspective you can buy

three enter threes for the same price

but you're going to run into quality

control problems and to get them up to

the same printability as this you're

going to have to learn how to tinker

with them and mess with settings to get

everything just right which means buying

new parts and after doing a bunch of

upgrades to these you're going to end up

spending about the same amount of money

just over a longer period of time and i

say this from experience because i have

6 ender 3 printers that cost about the

same as the mini after all the upgrades

and now i totally understand the people

that swear by the purusha brand and i'm

gonna have to be very careful if they

send me an mk 3s plus because it might

make me want to sell off all of my other

printers and replace them with these but

those are just my thoughts on everything

if you're looking for anything i used or

talked about in this video i'll have

links in the description and let me know

in the comments what printers you have

and what you're using them for well

that's just about it for this video so

i'll see you guys next time bye