Anet A2 The Build Experience

[RichardM]

Anet A2 Build

28th Nov 2018 - progress after 1 week, 1 day, 4 hours.

This includes a week waiting for replacement nuts, bolts, slide nuts, an hour grinding the new slide nuts to fit (either chrome plating on the nuts or anodise on the frame prevented the new bolts sliding into the extrusion).
Still not a lot really, if I applied a projected finish date based on progress so far it looks like December 15th before I will be able to fire it up (oh 2020).
Image of the supplied Vs purchased & ground.

The reason for the new bolts etc. is that the ones supplied labeled as 5mm on the sheet are labeled 4mm in the packets and are indeed NOT 5mm. Also the 4mm x 11mm bolts would not lock the slide nuts as they hit the back of the extrusion first. The suppliers / manufacturers kindly supplied washers to pack the over long bolts out....

The supplied slide (T) nuts are too short, they rotate around when trying to tighten the bolt. Spend hours attempting to lock them in only resulting in curses and frustration.
I couldn't understand how these printers could be so cheap... I am starting to understand.

*/ As an aside, apologies if file sizes are too large, not very familiar with uploading onto sites etc... someone let me know if I need to downsize them first /*
... to continue ......... ??????????????

 

[The Hat]

I couldn't understand how these printers could be so cheap...

Things not working out like that would drive me mad too, I have only bought Creality printers and all the parts that came with them were a perfect fit, but my Ender 2 did come in many pieces too...
click to enlarge..
About 2 hours to assemble..

 

[stratman]

28th Nov 2018 - progress after 1 week, 1 day, 4 hours.

If you can build a time machine with your 3D printer then count me in! Now if you could just go back in time before you paid for it...

Are you sure you wouldn't rather return and get a refund? Seems like you got shipped one boxed on a Monday after a weeklong drinking binge.

 

[RichardM]

A

2 hours ? what to do with the rest of the day? I'd be shipped out to the garden again.

 

[RichardM]

If you can build a time machine with your 3D printer then count me in! Now if you could just go back in time before you paid for it...

Are you sure you wouldn't rather return and get a refund? Seems like you got shipped one boxed on a Monday after a weeklong drinking binge.

Return it ? It's taken me over twelve months of dithering to buy one.
Anyway I'm not going to allow a few minor challenges to defeat me, I'll wait for a major one to kick me in the goolies (British slang use Google if necessary) Just because some Chinese guy / gal/ other can not tell the difference 'twix 4 and 5mm or allow calculate the tolerances for anodising doesn't mean it wont work, just that it may need a bit of gentle loving - or a bloody big hammer.
.... progress is being made.

 

[RichardM]

2nd Installment


(IMHO )This transport design is cost effective if particularly bad.

Still haven't read of any complaints so lets carry on...
Nextstep according to the instructions is to fit the Y motor and rear belt guide.... Don't - fit Y motor before the limit switch ( or in Pidgen Limited Switch) fit the limit switch first - much easier).
* Decided to mount the limit switch on the opposite side to the motor, believe it will make it easier to mod at a later date.
It seems to take longer to remove the acrylic's protective paper than assemble the blxxdy thing.
The Y (Hot Bed) installation created no new problems (30mm bolts too long but minor detail.
I just love these warnings ;
Pay attention to the Fluency , if it’s not smooth enough please adjust the degree of screw tightness
... and of course the 5x14mm bite into the rear of the extrusion.
Oh another warning;
Keep the hotbed fixing plate and motor fixing plate at the same level . The adge of hotbed fixing plate
is the position of the limited switch.
I must apologise really, how good is your Chinese, I know mine would not suffice for more than
"Hello, my name is Richard." (Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào lǐ chá dé)
I've got a faulty printer (Wǒ de dǎyìnjī yǒu wèntí)
Reply
Hěn bàoqiàn tīng dào zhège xiāoxī (Sorry about that)
Hēle yīkǒu (Sod off).
Anyway, the belts in, the springs are springing and I've given up for the night.

 

[stratman]

Anyway I'm not going to allow a few minor challenges to defeat me

Now that's a stiff upper lip. Good on ya! Next time you're in Wicklow, Ireland drop on by the pub and have a drink with @The Hat and me.

 

[The Hat]

Next step according to the instructions

My assembly instruction was supposed to be on a Micro card, but no card was included in my box of bits, so @Redbrickman kindly provided me with a Video installation guide, that done the trick..

No Chinese interpreter was harmed during instalation..

 

[Nifty]

Wow, crazy!

Makes me glad my first printer (MP Select Mini) was ready-to-print out of the box, and my 2nd printer (CR-10) was a quick assembly. I was feeling slightly more confident about more of a "kit" (like the Ender 3), but now I'm not so sure.

*/ As an aside, apologies if file sizes are too large, not very familiar with uploading onto sites etc... someone let me know if I need to downsize them first /*

It all looks great to me!

 

[stratman]

I was feeling slightly more confident about more of a "kit" (like the Ender 3), but now I'm not so sure.

Maybe Richard got an end of production odds and ends box, like one of the mystery box sales from Woot.