Is the Prusa MK4 worth it?
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- Опубліковано 9 тра 2023
- Check out @MirageC who I mentioned in the video!
Model links:
Box by me: www.printables.com/model/3572...
Glitch Planter by Vexanix: www.printables.com/model/2877...
Official MK4 setup for WiFi: help.prusa3d.com/guide/wi-fi-... - Наука та технологія
I had originally incorrectly said the MK4 has a built in accelerometer - which it does not! My understanding is that Prusa will add input shaping based on their own data, but the board does have a connection for an accelerometer.
This channel deserves way more attention. I love the flow of the videos. Keep it up!
I really like how you move the light around in close ups, so everyone can see the different layerlines for themself! Good idea which shows how you care about an honest impression!
I genuinely liked your video. It was very insightful without you sounding over the top. Simple, just like I like it!
Great video that highlights the most important aspects of all the printers that's being compared.
I actually landed on a mk4 as my second printer, since my mk3 is reliable and has a great support team behind it.
I will probably stick with prusa just because of being able to actually fix the printer myself if any issues should occur. It helps a lot that they have good documentation too!
Keep up the good work, this is quickly becoming my favorite 3D-printing channel.
Please more quality Videos from the MK4 Good Job
That bulging you see on walls is usually caused by infill pushing against walls when you transition from solid infill to regular walls. The plastic shrinks differently. You can solve it by either switching to superslicer and adjusting infill settings, or I believe the new PS 2.6 alpha 6 also has similar infill slicing behaviour. Disable ensure vertical shell thickness as well.
Good Job!
Ordered my MK4 a week ago, it will be my first 3d printer. I wanted something that is easy to use and repairable by myself if needed (I have a computed engeering background and recently learemd some CAD at work). I always knew 3d printers existed but only recently I got in the rabit hole of wanting to know everything I could find out about it :).
That's awesome! For a first printer it will be a breeze and you'll be cranking out prints as soon as you get it. The new bed leveling system is excellent and you won't need to worry about a first layer ever!
Welcome to the maker space Tiari. Best of luck learning your new craft! I've enjoyed it over the past 14 months since buying my first one. 🙂
It is all about open source and upgrades and repairs being completed by me. You add that reasoning with the track record of Prusa reliability then It is a no-brainer decision for me.
Well done!
Thanks for the info and comparisons. I really like the Bambu except for the required cloud connection and the proprietary parts. If it breaks you have to source repairs through Bambu. No third party parts.
Great overview really enjoyed it and I have to agree. I have just sold my Prusa mini and looking to upgrade to something bigger, looked at buying a used MK3+ and upgrading to 3.5 but you would have to buy a MK3 + cheap otherwise its close to a new (kit MK4), I am really leaning towards a P1S or X1C and Prusa are really not competing with these models, yes customer service is great but a bed slinger over core XY??
Loved the intro btw, that was pretty funny.
I've watched lots of stuff on the MK4 .. this is the best, balanced review on the MK4/3 and comparing it to the X1C that is out there.. including all those from what are considered the 'top' youtubers. Great job. Secret is not to rush out a review.. I have an MK3S+ and am working with a friend who has an X1C. The MK4 is still in Beta and Prusa has rushed it out the door to their detriment. Also Prusa doesn't seem to have great internal testers.. or maybe great engineers in the firmware/electronics area. That is evident in the terrible network interface the MK4 and their lack of the necessary hardware design that can give them much faster speeds. I love my MK3 for its reliability, but my friend also loves his AMS and X1C. I fully agree that if you have an MK3S+ now.. and you have octoprint.. you are better NOT to upgrade. Tweaking profiles can easily give you 20% improvements in performance in the MK3.. I often speed up my first layer by tweaking temp and you can also tune other settings depending on the model's geometry. Eventually the MK4 will supercede the MK3.. but they need to fix that network stuff first; but I'll be interested to see if they implement different hardware.. Prusa sticks to its stuff somewhat stubbornly at times.
a very good review!
I got a Voron and switched to a X1C without AMS and im pretty happy about it.
My Customer Support with bambulab was excellent. They replaced my PEI Sheet after i got a Problem with the Calibration Code (wiped it off).
I think if you own a MK3 maybe just do the board update for the Input shaper if it is working good. I dont know if a pre applied fixed Value without a Sensor in the printer is working good, because everyone got a different table/ environment. And yeah Prusa Link is a Joke. I wonder why they dont copy Octoprint and everyone would be happy.... and the timelines. It takes forever for some Software things (and hardware too).
I bought an mk4 over a bambu because of their commitment to being open source, their continuous support they offer to the community and their outstanding long term hardware and software support of the printers.
I saw people complaining that the MK3 was an old printer, but that's a HUGE plus in my opinion: it has received six years of support (and likely will keep receiving support for a long while)! And if it breaks you can not only replace or repair the parts yourself, but you can even chiose to make it become the new model that's out, extending the support for another bunch of years. Not that you really need it usually, lol. My MK3 hasn't had a single failure during the years!
Upgrading from an MK3 to an MK4 isn't that expensive either, I sold my MK3 for 500€, bought an MK4 kit for 850€... That's a 350€ upgrade.
I've had it with my Ender 3 SP1 Pro and that was exactly my predicament ... Do I upgrade to Prusa or Bambu .... I ordered the Prusa for that exact reason - I can't even get decent support out of Creality that sit in China ... not to mention proprietary hard and software etc.
I am in Europe as well so I thought I am not just buying a Prusa for the opensource commitment but also about the fact I could even drive / fly for a reasonable cost to Prusa with the printer under my arm and say 'here - fix it' :)
you got scammed out of money lol
@@tophatv2902 you do you
I'm still waiting of the mk4 source files.... And also the bootloader of the mini
Incredibly well done beginning of your clip. Really enjoyed it.
I would be interested how the print quality at the high speed is compared to the Prusa? How is the layer adhesion?
By the way, you already have the improved version with 3 screws instead of 4 on the nextdruder.
I definitely should have showed off some more prints from the X1. I find that it usually prints just as good. With PETG or ABS you sometimes have to print more parts at once or change minimum layer times because of the speed though.
Haha. I just started watching this video, that intro was incredible. 😅
Thanks!
There is a new firmware version (4.6.1l that fixes some bugs such as slow files uploading with Prusa Connect and PrusaLink.
There are also some improvements such as the honing procedure.
Sweet! I filmed this like a week ago, so I'll give that a try!
Interesting video thanks. Your little surface errors seen in the same place are caused by the seam position on that layer. Being in the same place. If you alter seam positions then you’ll see a difference. Or show them in preview and you’ll see them highlighted in that area.
I’d say the lower seam bulge at the bottom is from your infill, are you printing infill first and then walls? Or using infill overlap or extra wall count/connect infill lines? Shrinkage of layers without infill supporting them may also be a factor. 👍🏼
Been a bit since I posted this, but if I recall correctly I mentioned that on those rock looking prints? Those are printed in vase mode, no seam.
Great video and great intro!
As someone with 2 mk3s's and looking for an upgrade its a really hard choice, but bambu would be a way bigger upgrade in possibilities for my setup.
How are the noise levels on the X1C compared to the mk3?
Can you turn down the fans a lot without giving up quality?
They are printing in my small office 10ft away from me so I need them to be quiet.
My office is also small and its about 3 feet from my X1 to my computer. The X1 is loud. I had to switch from open back headphones to closed back when it's printing. The mk3/mk4 don't bother me much even with open backs on, but they are definitely still noisy. I see a lot of people saying the mk4 is louder, but idk that i would say that. You can definitely turn the chamber fan on the X1 off and that's the noisest fan, but it's still loud. If you're printing abs or something with the door closed it's even quieter but still louder than a mk3/mk4
@@ButterPockets Is it like vacuum cleaner loud?
I've learned to sleep with a mk3s next to me so maybe I will be fine.
Else there still is the cement tile with foam approach, maybe into a closet and see which fans can be replaced with noctuas.
10:11 I noticed this usually happens because of the internal solid infill (the annoying purple one), and I can usually get rid of that line by turning off the ensure vertical shell thickness, but it does not always work depending on the model geometry. It basically smushes too much filament in a small area and it bulges out.
In the latest beta of Prusa slicer (what I used) it doesn't have ensure vertical she'll thickness any more!
About the wireless transfer, how is it with ethernet plugged in? Wondering what the bottle neck is.
Thanks for the video, very informative. I've already got a MK3s and am still deciding on if I will upgrade to a MK4. Its maybe a bit silly, but the reason I'm not interested in a Bambu Labs printer is its just one more expensive thing that's made in China. I feel like just about everything we buy nowadays is made there and it's nice to be able to spread $$$ around, especially on expensive things like a 3d printer. They do seem to make a great printer though.
I like my X1 alot but I totally understand your thought process! It's not like buying a Prusa is a bad investment by any means even if it's slower
I also heard it is loud!
I have a business to run and my clients dont ask if the print was done on a printer made in China, Prague or the moon. I had the fortune to use an Creality, Ankermake, Prusa and Bambu. You can tell from the video which printer is superior this round. Perhaps Prusa will have a killer firmware update that brings parity to Bambu lab but we have to deal with what is available now, not what is promised later.
@@ashleys3dprintshop My assumption is that Prusa will not catch up to Bambu with a simple firmware update. It is nice that they are an open source printer, so being able to repair/replace parts will probably be easier but I don't know if that will be enough to sway most people. Bambu definitely has a hell of a machine, no question, but as a hobbyist I can afford to be irrationally picky with where I buy my stuff from. I get that most people don't care or have no choice but to buy Chinese stuff and I certainly have a lot of other 'made in china' products in my house, but it's nice to help out the competition when possible. Sadly, for various reasons that include Chinese competition, not much is manufactured in my country anymore (USA)
Reliability and serviceability is why I still choose prusa over BL, reliability matters to me, not speed, even though my MK3 prints just 17% slower than my P1P did. My P1P was dead within 10 hrs and was a month long headache to get a replacement part and then to get my money back when I tried to return it, did a chargeback. I wont be buying a MK4 probably until they stop making MK3's. I can get a fully assembled MK3 for $810 with their 10% off, damn good deal for a tried tested workhorse. My oldest MK3 is 4 years old with almost 18K hours, zero failed/replaced components or chats with CS.
Prusa stopping production, or ceasing shipping to fix something as little as a rattling problems shows me prusa cares about making things right, opposed to BL that wont fix their warped build plates, just keeps shipping replacements that are more warped that the last. Or how they keep you in an endless loop of support tickets just to get a replacement stepper motor like they did with me.
My first purchase was my MK3 because after all my research Prusa seemed like the best company to go with. That's why I didn't get rid of it when I got an X1 and why I still continue to print on it even tho the X1 is faster. Ive also had absolutely 0 things wrong with my MK3 and its got 2000+ hours. I'm confident the MK4 will keep to that tradition and only improve over time with firmware updates.
Not to mention the sad fact that BL is a Chinese company subject to Chinese law, which basically means that they are allowed to underpay and overwork their emplyees. Which they do. They are also required to hand over data on their customers at the demand of their government. Which happens a lot with Chinese companies.
And personally I see little reason to support an oppressive regime more than I absolutely have to.
Just so everyone is aware this gentleman trolls every video that features a Bambulab printer and trashes the product. He does NOT have a Bambu lab printer as I have been interacting with him for months. What I dont understand is why he feels the need to bring someone else down to make himself have less buyers remorse in his current product.
@@hawtdayum
As luck would have it, it is a basic human right to have an opinion. And to express it. And why one should only be allowed to post, if one agrees with you, I have a hard time to understand.
Are you, by any chance, a member of the Chinese government? Or American Republican?
@@TraitorFelon.14.3 why shouldn't we call out someone telling obvious lies? His Mk3 is not just 17% slower than a P1P. That is a 100% silly claim. For someone running a printer farm you would only need about 1/3 as many printers if you go Bambu vs Prusa.
surprised you didn’t touch on prusaconnect at all and only looked at the local side of it!
The only one Reason, why i bought a Prusa and Not a X1 is the Noise
Where did you find the models for the tool holders you have on your shelving? I can't seem to find ones that style.
I designed those myself! They are honestly kind of crappy haha
i would love to know which one is quieter during prints, which for me is a very important feature, and i would also see or hear about a comparison of the different slicer softwar that are used for the two printers....i heard bambu labs slicer is also very good...i am in the makret for a new printer but im not sure which one of them is the right one...right now im working iwth an anycubic S, which is nice for the price point but is missing a lot of the modern features the mk4 and x1c come with.
If sound is a big factor for you then the X1 might not be a good choice. It's LOUD. This comes with printing fast. Even tho it's loud you get the speed and the ability to use the AMS. When the X1 is printing and I have my headphones on at my computer it's still too loud for me. The MK4 on the other hand isnt quiet per se, but compared to the X1 it's quiet. It doesn't bother me with my headphones on.
I had one and paid.. then the date changed like 4x so I cancelled. Your wifi setup, is the exact same process used on the Prusa Mini when you add the 6.00 ESP Module. While I use the web interface I also am disappointed its not more robust. I find with my other printers using Klipper and past though limited Octoprint experience that given the amount of time Prusa has been dabbling with this it could have been better polished. Down the road may do the upgrade from 3+ to 3.9 or 4 but at this point its a no go.
i think the "thicker" layer at the height where the inner top layers start is caused by shrinkage. The top layers contract and pull the walls slightly toghether causing a visible offset , at least thats my therorie. I have seen this happen on every single one of my printers, no matter the filament. I guess it´s just one of the things we have to live with
Yeah I've seen a lot of threads saying basically the same thing - that it just kind of happens.
Any chance that the slicer is adjusting the height of that layer to ensure a major geometry feature in your STL gets printed at the actual correct height instead of at a nearby height that is an integer multiple of your layer height?
@ButterPockets you have had the MK4 for over a year now, how does it stack up compared to MK3S & X1? Guys running a print farm with MK4 & X1 swear by the MK4 due to wasted filament and X1 down time with maintenance concerns. They run XL for colour change. Interested in your thoughts?
I think it’s a night and day difference over the MK3. Although for a print farm that could be a different story because the MK3 is slow but it’s reliable.
Compared to the X1, uhm, I mean it’s hard for me to really like “compare” them. I use both of them just about every day. If I want to print something *right now* I use the MK4. From clicking “print” to it starting is significantly faster with the MK4 and I know it will print it and complete the print. The X1 tho, I mean I have 2 AMS units and I need that color change ability for stuff I sell. I wish I had an XL and could try that out.
I don’t know if I can speak from a print farm perspective but if I was going to start one I definitely wouldn’t do it with bambulab printers. I’m not exactly a “ermagerd Chinese printers blah blah” (I am part Chinese, not sure if I’ve said that publicly) but it is a legit concern for a business. I know there is LAN only mode and maybe if the printers just never touched the internet it would be okay. But have you ever seen what it takes to replace the gantry in an X1? That’s a nightmare. I also really don’t believe the X1 is as well engineered as it seems, there was some really questionable choices in that machine. But, from a hobbyist point of view I’m not sure any of that matters. My friend and I are about to start on our own printer design - that’s the path that makes the most sense for us if we want a farm.
So my answer is just “it depends” I guess? I don’t like to think in black and white terms because everything is grey IMO. But I’ve always believe much more in Prusa over BL, even if people call me a “fan boy” over that. Ultimately Prusa seems like a better company, a more reliable printer, easier to work on, etc. But it’s “slower” (not really), smaller, less flashy, etc.
Hope that helps? Haha. I feel like a just rambled. The thing is too, that was my answer a year ago and it hasn’t really changed. The market is flooded with new users now because of BL and the general advancements in 3D printing. There’s more off the shelf printers now than ever and people can get into the space so easily. Prusa is always gonna be the Honda/Toyota of the market if you will - ask a car mechanic “what’s the most reliable brand” and they will probably say Honda/Toyota.
@ButterPockets wow, alot of effort in tgat response, I really appreciate it. I think your comments are objective and well informed. Thank you.
I retired my MK3s+ when I got my X1C.and currently have way more prints out in the last 10 months than the years on the mk3s+. My baseline for another printer has been set by Bambu. The mk4 was a non starter when it launched and the XL multi tool is a LONG way away. Based on what I am seeing of the XL it's not much faster than the mk4 which is a real shame.
Honestly the prints in my shop all come from my bambu. Had to make 3 orders quickly last night and the X1 came in clutch!
@@ButterPockets I know the feeling. My work flow has completely changed with the new printer. I had a work project that needed weeks of hands on printing(multi color) or hand painting and got it done in a weekend. I think I have become spoiled with the X1C and AMS. ''
You hit the nail on the head about sending files, and just going about your day. I dont have to babysit the printer and the AMS with 4 spools in the wings. I have even ran a preplanned crisis scenario(if cloud goes down) using the X1 in lan only mode and using the camera on lan. It was a simple setup.
I think the one good thing about my prusa is that it was not a bad printer by any stretch so it holds a place above my ender. it's just lacking so many creature comforts that my new printer has I just cant go back. Excellent video by the way and the skit was hilarious.
One thing is missing in my point of view!
Nearly no one talked about the VFA's, at 11:55 you can see that the MK3 had that and at the MK4 with the 0,9 Stepper Motors you cant see it!
In my opinion thats a big step forward you can achieved with the MK4.
I should have listed that in the beginning and mentioned the new motors when talking about the extrusion!
Is there any stregnth compromises with a BL at those speeds?
I don't have any actual numbers, but I haven't noticed any of my prints being weak!
Lol mk4 texting I middle of the night hilarious
Has Prusa since updated and fixed the software issues? Network speed and all?
Actually yes. Binary gcode is much much faster now.
I've switch to external perimeters first and it seem to help me with the layer line.
I've tried that and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't!
@@ButterPockets sorry to hear that! I noticed it when I started printing all my Gridfinity tubs. Was worth a shot suggesting.
P1P or MK4 Kit, which would you recommend for the money?
My short answer is a MK4, especially the kit. I personally believe it's really nice to build your own printer and it really helps to understand how it works. I would recommend to save for an X1 over a P1, but that's my personal opinion.
2:26 Wrong, it does not have an accelerometer, it only has the port to attach one on the mainboard.
Good catch. I'll edit that
Can you confirm the accelerometer, I thought they had a port for it on the buddy board but it didn't actually have one on-board?
EDIT: Refer to the pinned comment - thx!
I made a pinned comment and removed that!
Oh shoot - I am just now reading your pinned comment 🤦♂ please ignore my comment! Great video - thx!
@@ButterPockets Yep that's totally on me, I didn't see the comment - thx!
My MK3S+ printers are quieter than the MK4, that is my only complaint with the MK4 in a few weeks of printing.
Interesting, I figured Ethernet would be even faster. I'm sure Prusa will fix it eventually, just strange to me that its like this.
Take a like just for that intro :D
One thing I don't really see an accurate depiction of is the Noise Level... Bambu X1 sounds great, but I heard it is loud as F... LoL so I don't think I can go for a Bambu and have it replace my MK2S in my living room. Yes I can spend some money on replacing the fans or what nots, but why pay over $1K then have to alter it for silence. Bambu does give you the enclosure.
The MK4 (and MK3) are a whisper compared to an X1. I see so many people saying a MK4 is louder than a MK3...but it doesn't seem louder to me. It sounds pretty much the same. But if it's printing faster it's bound to be a little louder.
Yeah, at this point I don't know how they will compete with Bambu. They came out of nowhere and aren't perfect yet, but for building a revolutionary printer in the height of a supply chain crunch was a pretty remarkable feat. I pre-ordered the Prusa XL with the 5 tool head changer, mainly because I really have a dislike for anything that requires the internet to function 100% *cough* bambu *cough*, but I may have to rethink my decision if they delay the Prusa XL for much longer or if it is shipped missing features. It already irked me that the MK4 was advertised to have input shaping but have yet to release it.
the thing that stops me from buying the bambu. is the need for the machine to send my files to a chinese server somewhere, and the fact that is basically no freedom of repair o swap parts or custom parts in it! you basically get hooked to their suply and their clouds and services..
You can print off your SD card and I don't think there's anything wrong with only being able to use their parts. Keeps your warranty active and you know the parts will work. They sell replacement parts for reasonable prices and you mostly likely won't need many!
If anyone asks what the 3d printing community is like just show the first part of the video where he goes to bed with his printer.
I think this was a reasonable, review, but I feel like it should be pointed out more that they advertised speed as the major feature then..... just didnt actually include the feature with some fine print that itll arrive later (TM). It annoys me, and what annoys me more is the printhead doesnt even have an accelerometer afaik, nor does the bed, so the tuning will be manual, all on a printer that costs this much. Its just like... you could have done better prusa. Both for iteration, and for honesty.
I tried my best to point out that input shaper speeds will be "coming soon TM" as you say. It does have a port for an accelerometer and they are fairly cheap to snag. I think doing manual tuning is a plus for some folks because Prusa strikes the balance between Bambulab and a Voron.
Strange how the upload speed is given so much emphasis. It really isn’t that bad. Not enough to detract from the overall value of the printer.
I don't think it detracts from the value - I just don't understand how it's KB/s. Especially since the printer needs to be on the main screen or it fails. You might forget its not there and press upload and walk away thinking it will print. You'd get instant feedback that it failed if the upload speed was faster. I showed a file that was only 3MB, but models can be much bigger. I was told its already improved with a newer firmware so I'm sure it will get better.
@@ButterPockets I have the new firmware, and the transfer speed still is slow...... I am using an Ethernet cable, maybe that is slowing it down. Also, it seems very prone to restart the transfer???
I've disappointed with my MK4. Especially the wifi which I have not been able to get working. It's a ridiculous and cumbersome procedure which should be just plug and play like every other printer on the market. Also the 3D printed plastic parts which should have been die molded or at least should be offered as an option. I gave up on the wifi and just plugged in a LAN. I won't buy another Prusa.
The print time difference between the Bambu and the MK4 is dramatic, however, as a hobbyist I'm more interested in comparing the quality of the printed part. Speed is great but, in my case, quality is more important. Can you provide some detail about this? I'm currently leaning toward the MK4, mainly due to Prusa track record, but speed could be a factor if the quality is high at these fast rates.
what about privacy issues, anybody who signs an nondisclosure agreement for a client cannot use Bambu as the files go thru their servers in China, and the files are not kept confidential. and what about supporting a communist china who engages in ethnic cleansing and forced labor and IP theft and human rights violattions? thats got to mean something to somebody other than me. I would hope. Prusa is only 33% chinese parts, and they assemble in Europe, not in China, so we can be sure this is better in many ways. what if the printer was made in Cuba or North Korea, would you be as excited about the Bambu then? hmm...
Yeah, I also don't understand how someone can support Chinese products that parasitize on the work of others thanks to open source without any contribution back to the community.
Why buy a prusa? they are open source. the x1 carbon is all closed source and the parts are proprietary, so if the company goes out of business, finding them is going to be difficult. The slicer and everything is bambu lab. No thanks, I prefer open sourceness.
If Prusa were to go out of business you still wouldn’t be able to find their parts either. Open source doesn’t mean “off the shelf”. You’d have access to schematics, CAD models, diagrams, etc but unless someone is making the parts then you’d have to get them made yourself.
@@ButterPockets that's simply untrue, the amount of prusa clones that exist out there is insane, the mk4 was reproduced for less than $200.
@@cgwworldministries83 it’s not untrue. You just said the same thing I did but in a different way. I repeat: if Prusa went out of business you couldn’t buy their parts, the parts could be reproduced because the schematics and CAD files are available. That isn’t going to stop anybody from doing it to non-open source companies - just look at the CHT nozzle. I get it, I worded what I said in such a way that seemed to exclude third parties that already make Prusa parts. I know that stuff is around and it’s easy for companies to do because of the open source nature. What I’m trying to get across though is that being “closed source” doesn’t really prevent that from happening.
@@jakobwest4811 all the parts are made in China, same company that makes the parts for Prusa are the companies making the 3rd party printers. The only thing you get when buying Prusa is the name. The knockoff mk4 even runs a skinned version of the same software. They didnt even change the order of operations on first boot. But that's open source for ya.
Gotta be a fooooooool to buy a mk4 over the bambu!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly I've been using the MK4 to do most of my printing since this video and I've been enjoying it. Definitely doesn't make someone a fool, people have different priorities.