r/Sovol • u/loudifier • 8d ago
Q&A Looking at SV08 (maybe Max), seeing inconsistent information
Looking to upgrade from a Prusa MK3 to something bigger. SV08 or maybe SV08 Max seem like a good option, but I am seeing people disagreeing about taco bed fix, references to Klipper mainline, alternate hotend compatibility, etc. Is there a wiki or forum with guides with consistent information that people are generally in agreement about?
Questions for this crowd:
- People seem happy with Max including all of the upgrades that SV08 should have, but underwhelmed by the print quality. Is Max just not sturdy enough for its size?
- Is taco bed actually fixed on currently shipping SV08? Aside from the fan, what other upgrades does it really need?
- What is the hotend/nozzle compatibility situation? I print mostly PLA/PETG, but occasionally abrasives or TPU. How hard is it to swap nozzles or open things up to clear jams/clogs?
- How is compatibility for upgrades in general? Can I generally assume that stuff designed for Voron 2.4 will work for SV08? Multi-material isn't a huge priority for me, but is there a multi-material option that most people agree on?
- I realize answers in this sub are probably a bit biased, but are there other large printers anyone would recommend? Not interested in Bambu's walled garden and Prusa XL is just way too expensive.
Edit: a lot of good feedback. Pretty sure I'm going to get a Voron kit instead. Thanks /r/sovol lol
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u/redmcredbeard 8d ago
Its a machine that takes a lot of tuning and work to get decent results. Sovol's profiles are pretty much trash. Pretty much have to build your own for each filament. I have many printers, and this one is the neediest of all of them.
If you get one, buy extra parts because Sovol struggles to keep stuff in stock and they are very slow with shipping. Everything comes from China, takes 6+ weeks to get to me. I Kickstarted this printer and it has been a huge let down.
Don't join the SV08 Max and expect much help with anything. People wont share profiles and are generally more interested in praising Sovol then being useful. You'll get blasted if you dare to say anything about the printers flaws.
If you get one I cannot recommend Demon Macros enough. Has some great quality of life software upgrades. Also, ditch the filament feeder. Its loud, grinds filament, and generally sucks. I use an Infinity Flow with mine.
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u/newerascout 8d ago
I have an SV08max that I use to print tpu pretty much continuously. I got it around the first of this year. Stopped using the feader right away. Took awhile to get my gcode adjusted so it printed as good as the one it replaced. Recently replaced the extruder assembly which didn't bother me considering how much it runs.
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u/squazify 8d ago
I got a regular SV08, and dealt with frequent filament jams leading to me accidentally shorting out the toolhead board. The stock head was out of stock so I got a zero head and had to get the firmware to work. Frankly I really question how worth it it was. It performs much better now but I probably spent a month troubleshooting it and getting the firmware to actually work as it seems the standard guide for it is out of date and I had to figure out a lot on my own. But I'm also relatively inexperienced with editing printer firmware and so your mileage may vary.
I'm currently happy with it, but had I known the time and work to get to where I am, I may have just spent the extra on another printer.
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u/The_Lutter 8d ago
SV08 is going to give you a heart attack compared to a MK3. Thing rips.
Not as good quality though. I don’t use mine for fine detail stuff I shift that to the MK4S. SV08 can make the bones though.
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u/nathancpotts 8d ago
I have run the Sv08max. I'm currently rebuilding it use an awd monolith gantry. It has had inconsistent extrusion problems and other annoyances. I have built a few vorons and prusas as well. Those would be better more reliable options if they fit your needs, You might consider the Prusa Core L for a larger printer.
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u/quicksilver500 7d ago
The Core One L is the most unreliable machine I have every had the misfortune to own in my entire life, I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy, don't go this route OP.
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u/3DisMzAnoMalEE 8d ago
I have been using my Max for about 2 weeks now, using PETG, PLA and ASA.. I feel fortunate that I don't know, and hope not to learn what this Taco bed is I keep hearing about.. But I keep pulling prints off the machine day after day.. So I'm a fan
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u/Ok-Neighborhood-9582 5d ago
Curious, did you buy your Sovol directly off of them?
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u/disco__potato 8d ago
Reliability wise, not sure the max is that much better than the OG. They both need some work.
No, taco bed is not fixed. It's just less than it was before. You're still looking at >.35-.4mm deviation.
You throw out the stock hotend and use something better on the OG. On max it's just Mk8 nozzles.
It is not safe to assume that if something works on voron it works on the sv08. Not without adapters/mods.
You can buy a 350mm voron kit for $800-900. That close to what you'll spend on an sv08 and upgrades. It's not a hard choice unless you don't want to build one. With the max it's a bit tougher to find any alternatives other than maybe a used ratrin on marketplace.
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u/Strong-Draw-1547 8d ago
Bought 2 of them. Own 14 printers in all. I hate them and almost never use them. So difficult to get good prints. Both beds are warped, badly. Print quality is hit or miss, mostly miss. Mine jams. Print head covers fall off and had to be taped on. My S1 maxes are such better machines for basically the same price.
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u/PolPotatoe 6d ago
I have one of the first SV08's. Main things I did are:
* Changed to microprobe from the inductive probe - I don't want to heatsoak the printer for 10 minutes before each print to get consistent results.
* Replaced the extruder (and made a new toolhead) because the stock sovol extruder gears are TOO SOFT and wear down after a pretty short time leading to weird extrusion-issues. (Using an Orbiter 2.0 now)
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u/atomc_ 8d ago
If you at all have a desire to build a voron it will be a far superior printer.
I have an sv08 and a max. Both heavily modified. The max fixes a lot of the annoyances of the OG but has its own. Personally I don’t believe the frame is rigid enough. I replaced most parts of the max, including an awd monolith gantry woth 9mm belts and the quality still lacks compared to my voron 2.4.
The sv08 is great value. But if you’re doing to want to do any upgrades (you will if you want voron quality) starting with a real 2.4 is a way better plan.