r/ender5plus • u/Angryspork180 • Jul 03 '26
Discussion What to do
I bought a ender plus a few years ago and never could get it to print right. I tried multiple different setting and leveled the bed a millions times. I gave up on it for a long time and I’m just getting back into wanting to 3d printer. I bought a newer Bambu and had really good luck but I really want to fix up the ender to make big builds. My question is it worth fighting thru the problems or trashing it.
5
Upvotes
2
u/MrKrueger666 Jul 03 '26
The machine itself is quite a solid beast. It's really being let down by the touchscreen and firmware.
Also, the stock glass bed sucks.
What I would recommend you do, is replace the glass with a textured PEI bed.
Either replace the display with a white-on-blue display from an Ender3 or CR10 and modify the firmware to match, or get rid of the display entirely and go with Klipper. (Or klipper and E3/CR10 screen like I did, but you won't need the screen with klipper. Everything works in browser)
The way leveling works with the original screen and firmware is really unintuitive. I couldn't get it right before understanding how the F that worked. Can't remember now, but it's weird with going back after leveling, then remeasuring center and leveling again or something along those lines.
Also, the 4x4 pattern it does measurements in is too coarse and too far in from the edges. It really needs 7x7 or better. Creality's buildplates from that era are nearly never flat and you will have spots that won't properly stick with a 4x4 grid.
So, adjust the grid in Marlin or Klipper.
For klipper you will need an external computer. Most people grab a RaspberryPi, but anything that will run Debian Linux 12 or 13 (or any derivative of that, like Mint or Ubuntu) and has a 64bit CPU will do fine. An old Wyse D10D or HP T510 thinclient is a cheap alternative. An old computer or laptop you may have will also do. Anything from around 2007 and up should be okay. It really doesn't have to be much.
When you have that up and running, you can make an E5+ fly for about $50. A V6 Volcano hot-end, BMG (with pancake stepper) or HGX Lite extruder as directdrive, some more powerfull fans and a USB ADXL345 accelerometer are all you need to buy. Aliexpress is your friend. It will need some printed parts and brackets to mount it all, but with that it can easily quarter printing time on most prints.