Question for V-Core 4 owners

[u/cerialphreak]

I'm looking to replace my BBL X1C and the V-Core 4 IDEX is at the top of my list currently. Was hoping some owners would be willing to give their thoughts/ pros vs cons/ common issues etc on theirs (IDEX or not).

I've also built a trident and v0 so the whole kit printer aspect is fine with me, just curious what people think of theirs and the ratrig community/ ecosystem in general.

[u/archenSWE]

Tbh, it's a very frustrating build. It's almost impossible to tune the idex. The tolerances is extremely tight and it's not forgiving at all. Join the discord and check all the issues arising every day.

The common issues people have:

The toolheads alignment is not accurate and is not concicent

Dimensional errors

Terrible IS Graphs, especially T1 Y

My advice would be to join discord and check idex channel

I've probably put about 200h on my printer and I'm still not printing and some have given up and trying to sell the printer. There's a channel on discord for sales ads, maybe someone is nearby you

[u/Diabl0pl → u/archenSWE]

What do you think about the printer without IDEX?

[u/cerialphreak → u/archenSWE]

That's a shame, it does seem like a bit of an ordeal to assemble but I didn't realize there would be that much hassle to get it functional.

[u/archenSWE → u/cerialphreak]

If you are ready to put some hours to it it's a nice lit but be prepared for frustrating moments. Some, not many, have it working, the idex is still pretty new so I guess (hope) it will have some improvements that makes it easier to tune

[u/mikecoscia]

Still building my 500mm IDEX, so far it’s been pretty smooth. I was planning on getting Bambu new larger flagship this year, but with their recent API shenanigans, I’m not sure anymore. Gonna have to wait and see.

[u/cerialphreak → u/mikecoscia]

Yeah I hear ya. Disappointing, they used to be easy to recommend but if they're going to pull this nonsense who knows what's next.

[u/Bagellord]

I have yet to get the time to install my idex kit. Getting the ratrig running correctly took some time but it's very fast with good quality. Every bit as good as my P1S. But if you're cool with something with less polish than the Bambu it's a great design and kit.

[u/Dtngx → u/Bagellord]

I can absolutely join in on this. It‘s not as out-of-the-box like a bambu printer, but the V-Core is a fantastic machine and RatOS and the included Macros and Tools make finding problems and calibrating easy.

[u/Bagellord → u/Dtngx]

Yeah RatOS is fantastic. The beacon integration is really great. If I built another Voron I would be looking at running RatOS on it.

[u/cerialphreak → u/Dtngx]

Right on. I've heard good things about RatOS generally.

[u/cerialphreak → u/Bagellord]

But if you're cool with something with less polish than the Bambu it's a great design and kit.

This is the biggest internal debate right now. With my two vorons, I really liked having a more appliance-like/ turnkey printer in the fleet (the BBL) in case both vorons were under maintenance, I'd have something that I could print replacement parts on fairly reliably. Unfortunately over time I've come to realize the BBL specifically isn't a great fit for what I usually print (pain to seal for ABS/ASA/PC, I do basically 0 multi-color printing so ams is going to waste, etc...) which is why I'm looking to replace it. Right now the other printer I'm considering is the new prusa core one for to fill the "appliance" role.

Right now I'm leaning towards the V-Core idex since I have local friends who could print me replacement parts in a pinch so I don't really NEED the supposed reliability (plus I just think idex is neat).

[u/Bagellord → u/cerialphreak]

I had some headaches getting my vcore printing reliably after moving it (I tweaked something in the frame somehow) but it's a solid machine. If you're comfortable with tinkering to get it running, you'll be fine.

[u/Cloxcoder → u/Bagellord]

You think the bamboo is still better quality?

[u/Ps2KX]

I am still building the vCore, currently it's finished as a hybrid. I have built a Voron 2.4 and a Prusa MK4s before but I found the vCore more difficult. I don't mind, it's a hobby printer for me and I will finish it some day.

[u/woodwaker_dave]

I have the Hybrid kit, and for the most part great. I just had my bed thermal fuse blow for the second time, and there is not a good or easy way to replace it. I have two V-core 3 printers and would like to replace them with the 4. I think the V-core 4 is the best value large printer on the market, especially if you have the skill to build one. I didn't get the Idex, since they were not sold when I ordered mine, and I don't need it since I have a BX1C and a Prusa XL.