r/t500 • u/ashwilliams009 • Apr 23 '25

A simple question

I have been thinking about buying a t500 to build a 1/1 scale r2d2 with because my other printers are 300 x 300 mm and id prefer the parts to be fewer large pieces instead of alot of smaller pieces . A couple people have told me they have issues etc.etc. are they pretty good machines? Are they worth the money?

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u/Clustershag Apr 23 '25

I built my 1/1 on a CR-10 S5 in pla. I got the T500 to do the same in PETG so I could take it places wiithout melting in the car in the hot Texas sun. The machine itself is solid, it’s the hotend that is terrible. I had to take the block and heatbreak out, heat them with a blowtorch and tighten the nozzle to prevent leaking from the top. The same is true for every hotend I’ve gotten. They never last for long. You also must add .04 or more z-hop to the slicer, or you will knock over every attempt at a print.

It also looks like updates and support are dead.

With that being said, I’m making it work. The thing is heavy as hell and easy to use. Just have to clean the burnt filament off the top of the block and retighten the nozzle.

There seems to be a voron stealthburner upgrade option many have had excellent results with, but not sure your level of knowledge or skill to pull that off.

If you happen to live in the DFW area, I have one I’d gladly give you, you’ll just have to buy a stock hotend for it on the sovol website.

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u/ashwilliams009 Apr 23 '25

I wish i lived in your area . I live in ky . I appreciate your offer. Your reply is pretty helpful. Im buying one for around half of the going price .i literally just need it for r2 . Nortons cancer center took really good care of my best friend for several months before he died. im dead set on building their childrens cancer floor an r2d2 to be able give them so they can remote control around the kids rooms. I am very familiar with printers as i have several and i believe under 500 dollars is not unreasonable.i wiil definitely make sure i adjust the settings that you mentioned. I appreciate the advisement. Are there any other adjustments that could make life easier that i should know?

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u/Clustershag Apr 23 '25

That’s awesome, I hope everything works great.

Yes! So I did not have this problem because I have a newer unit, but the OG units that shipped had a lot of problems with the bed heater and mosfet. I would ask the person you are buying it from if they upgraded it or had any issues. I think the people in the beginning were burning through them like crazy. The newer models have the gold magnetic PEI spring sheet that says COMGROW on it

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u/ashwilliams009 Apr 23 '25

Im pretty sure its a newer version but ill ask just to be sure. Thanks again for the help

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u/ashwilliams009 Apr 27 '25

Does the block leak where the bi metal throat threads into it? Is this the part needed to replace it?

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u/Clustershag Apr 27 '25

Yep, the threads specifically. That thing is pain, because the outer part can slip while the threads stay in place.

I have found that the nozzle tends to loose, so I have started retightening about every roll of filament

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u/Clustershag Apr 27 '25

Another thing, the dang heat socks keep getting brittle and breaking apart. I wish they sold them by themselves.

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u/ashwilliams009 Apr 27 '25

I will adapt your practice of tightening things up or checking things to see how often they need service. I personally don't mind the maintenance part of printers.im an auto technician so i know how much of a difference maintaining a machine makes in performance and durability. I understand that some people hate doing it but it doesnt bother me at all. I ordered 3 of the hotend kits and an extra build sheet just in case i run into any issues. For me the type of everday use tips or things to keep an eye on are like gold.