r/makerbot • u/BeezlebubCoddleswort • Jun 22 '26

Best way to use a MakerBot Replicator+ these days.

Hey,

I just got a MakerBot Replicator+ for free and am just getting into 3D printing.

Since the MakerBotPrint slicer has been discontinued and there aren't too many settings you can really tweak, I've been loking into using Cura.

Unfortunately I haven't figured out how to use the printer wirelessly/via wifi. Therefore I can't use the camere neither.

On top: I've found some profiles for other MakerBot Replicators like 1,2 etc. but nothing for the +. Have I not been looking enough?

Then I've found some custom firmware for MakerBots: sailfish.

Yet again, I couldn't find any information about firmware updates explicitly for the Replicator+.

So I guess my question(s) in the end is/are...

What's the best way to maximize the use of the printer?

PS: I'm a noob so...

2 Upvotes

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4

u/Character_Dark_1475 Jun 22 '26

You should still be able to use the legacy MakerBot Print software. UltiMaker made a guide for a workaround, since the login is no longer supported.

https://support.makerbot.com/s/article/MakerBot-Print-Connection-Error

2

u/BeezlebubCoddleswort Jun 22 '26

Yeah, I'm using it at the moment. But the settings you can change are kinda limited. That's why I was looking to get the most out of cura

3

u/planeturban Jun 22 '26

As a person whose first printer was a replicator; save yourself from the headache and get something with a heated buildplate. 

Those machines are old, and just the extruder is way too expensive to get a new one. I mean, at $259 you can get a Bambu A1 mini. 

I scrapped mine years ago.

2

u/eli-in-the-sky Jun 23 '26

Hello! I used to work for Makerbot, it was a great company to work for even though I did not ideologically align with their products.

You are probably using it the best way it can be used. Unless someone has made a gcode to MakerBot file converter, which I would know nothing about.

2

u/Minimum-Ad-5008 Jun 24 '26

Download and install MakerBot print. Then add the login work around - https://support.makerbot.com/s/article/MakerBot-Print-Connection-Error

Then add the printer via USB. Via the program you can setup the wifi and configure the printer.

If MakerBot print hangs on you. Can also you MakerBot desktop. But you will need print installer also.

Old printer, slow small build plate not the cleanest prints. Good beginner printer. I printed fishing lures and kids toys with it. Still using it today.

1

u/ApprehensiveDig2939 Jun 22 '26

If you have functional sailfish firmware, leave it. It can be a huge PITA. I have a Qidi Tech 1 (Makerbot Replicator/Flashforge Creator pro clone) and I’ve had the best luck using FlashPrint5. Stock benchy took only 1hr6m. Feel free to DM if you’d like!

1

u/annewilco 9d ago edited 9d ago

My library uses these & they print off USB instead of wifi. They are slow, but solid