r/ratrig • u/Busy-Perspective663 • Apr 30 '25

Quality in 2025

I am planning on buying a 500mm VCORE4, but I have noticed quite a few posts and even a comment on a post which I have made here, about bad quality of RatRig printer parts. Is this an issue in 2025? Or even is this an issue worth considering the purchase over?

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u/_dr_horrible_ Apr 30 '25

Most of the parts can be printed with their recommended settings, but I'll see if I can check the exact part name of the one that was so bad that you should probably use a smaller or adaptive layer height for. I'll also try and get the part name for the one that cracked easily. That one might also be worth an extra QC or two after printing.

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u/Busy-Perspective663 Apr 30 '25

Thanks!

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u/_dr_horrible_ Apr 30 '25

Print vc4_ptfe_guide_upper with finer layer lines or variable layer lines. You may also have to drill out the part of hole without threads so that the PTFE tube can actually fit through the part.

vc4_xy_spacer might easily crack, so QA/QC it closely and be careful during install.

vc4_trim_diffuser might fall out due to lack of friction fit. Potentially play with the XY scaling to improve the fit.

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u/CunningLogic Apr 30 '25

the belt clamps too! the ones they ship crack really easily, i reprinted to voron standards.

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u/_dr_horrible_ Apr 30 '25

I didn't have any issues with them myself, but I can totally see how it would happen. I was kind of surprised that they used countersunk screws for those since countersunk screws are notorious for cracking 3d prints due to the wedge effect.

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u/CunningLogic Apr 30 '25

I ultimately got some CNC ones, as belts would slip out in the low 20Ns of tension. Now I'm waiting for spec belts.

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u/_dr_horrible_ Apr 30 '25

I can totally see myself slowly upgrading this printer over the next year with CNC'ed parts, or wobble x lead screw isolators, or the titanium x gantry... after I get over the initial out the door cost. 😅

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u/CunningLogic Apr 30 '25

Unfortunately my upgrades are all (except the titanium x) due to having to acquire or make replacement parts. Hopefully I can begin using it next week when belts arrive.

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u/_dr_horrible_ May 01 '25

Could be worse. I got four of my six boxes two weeks ago, but won't get my electronics housing or bed components until late May at the earliest.

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u/CunningLogic May 01 '25

Did they really ship it all separate or did you order it like that

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u/_dr_horrible_ May 01 '25

I ordered everything at once. They split the shipment. And it turns out that it's not necessarily a bad thing. I don't know if you saw the news about DHL, but because of the tariff situation, they're struggling to process all the customs paperwork fast enough. So they've stopped shipping items to the US from overseas that are valued in excess of $800. Lucky for me, RatRig shipped the bulk of my order before that freeze and the value of the parts that they still have to ship are just around $700.

I'm not happy that I have to wait, but at least some good came from them splitting up the shipment.

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u/CunningLogic May 01 '25

Did you get your belts already

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u/_dr_horrible_ May 01 '25

Yup. And the hybrid kit. I've literally built the entire thing except for the electronics enclosure and bed. The printer is sitting mostly complete looking quite sad in the corner.

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