Around 2019, I decided to explore 3D Printing. I was unsure whether it was going to be useful to me. How little did I know, a whole new world of possibilities was about to open up for my projects! I decided to purchase an 'AnyCubic I3 Mega', and then shortly afterward, I also purchased an 'Ender 3S'. The plan was to sell the AnyCubic, but I ended up keeping both, and have routinely had both generating prints simultaneously.

AnyCubic I3 Mega

This printer has worked wonderfully for me, able to print PETG shapes with remarkably accurate tolerances. It also prints PLA without issue. As a result, I don't want to modify it at all, I'm very happy with how it works right out of the box.

Well, it did have one issue initially, but I resolved it. It had horrible bands in the Z axis. After a lot of failed attempts to solve the problem with Cura settings, one day I decided to measure the voltages of the stepper motor drivers, as I had noticed there was an adjustment pot for each one. Lo and behold, one of them was about half a volt lower than the others. Yup, it was a Z axis one (there are two Z axis steppers on this printer). I googled the stepper-driver IC, determined the proper voltage to use, adjusted all of them, and wow, what a perfect printer I ended up with!

I have only made one physical modification to this printer: I replaced the bowden tube with one that can handle higher temeratures.

Ender 3S

I use my Ender3 for PLA prints. It originally came with the magnetic bed. My Ender3 has been highly modified over the years.

• Main Controller Board: BigTreeTech SKR Mini E3 V2.0
• Display: TFT35-E3 V3.0 Touch Screen Control Board
• Bed Leveling Sensor: CR-Touch Auto Leveling Sensor
• Bed: Carborundum Glass Bed or Soft Magnetic Plate
• Heat Block Cover: Silicone Sock for MK8 Hotend
• Extruder: All Aluminum Double Gear
• Nozzle: Hardened Steel
• Firmware: I compile my own Marlin version with appropriate settings adjusted

I do not take my Ender3 above 60' on the bed. By 75', you risk demagnetizing the surface. So I stick to PLA with this printer.

Some random things I've designed and printed myself

I have literally printed hundreds of useful things already, fixed many broken devices, etc. I'll just show a few prints here:

I modified my UPS to use a larger battery and control the computer that's attached to it

Wine Glass Holders

An IceMaker Scoop Holder

The knobs and microcontroller housing for my Throttle Quadrant

My Ender 3S, with a cake topper on the glass bed

Some random things I've printed from Thingiverse

A Dice Tower, which uses a water bottle for the body

A Plantygon