Only for the true 3D nerd

[The Hat]

I’m still on the fence regarding Wi-Fi, and don’t like the idea of trusting it while running the 3D printer, there are too many things that could interfere with it, I use this instead and have learned to live with the micro card, plus I get more exercise moving between the keyboard and printer.

click to enlarge.

I have always known what Benchy was for, but I reckon it lures you into a false sense of security, just changing one setting and the Benchy can be toast, so its of no help once you understand the printer a little more, and no I didn’t print it out...

 

[Redbrickman]

You must have rubber ducks in the bath instead of benchys

 

[ninj]

I’m still on the fence regarding Wi-Fi, and don’t like the idea of trusting it while running the 3D printer, there are too many things that could interfere with it, I use this instead and have learned to live with the micro card, plus I get more exercise moving between the keyboard and printer.

You don't need to trust wifi if you use Octoprint - it's just used to transfer the STL file to the Raspberry Pi's SD card. The print itself is controlled by the Pi via USB (or, optionally, from the printer's SD card) so wifi problems or PC reboots won't affect the print. By the way, I also have one of those microSD card extenders. I designed a simple holder for it:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2159505

 

[FryingSaucer]

I’m still on the fence regarding Wi-Fi, and don’t like the idea of trusting it while running the 3D printer

When you use Octoprint from a browser window on the PC you're just connecting to the Octopi server running on the pi. If your connection breaks, it doesn't stop the pi managing the printer.

If you want to print a gcode file using Octoprint, you first Upload the file in the browser window, (the server copies the file into raspberry pi storage - likely an SD card in the pi). When you use the Print command in the browser, the server starts the print from the pi. But it's the pi that's sending the gcode commands. The browser running on the PC is not involved (unless you send a pause or cancel print).

Incidentally you can upload an stl file if you prefer - there's a slicer in the server if you'd rather create the gcode on the pi.

If it's a long print, there's no problem shutting down your PC, using Octoprint from another PC, or whatever. In fact you can use Octoprint from anywhere on the internet if you want to manage your printer. I don't do this for security reasons.

I know it's not that difficult to transfer an SD card back and forwards, but if you ever start using Octoprint with a raspberry pi, it's so easy and flexible you'll wonder how you ever managed before with manual SD card transfers.

 

[FryingSaucer]

By the way, I also have one of those microSD card extenders. I designed a simple holder for it:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2159505

That looks good. It certainly would have made it easier to move the SD card to and from my motherboard. It's not that easy to access the SD card slot on mine. This was one of the reasons I didn't like using an SD card as the transfer mechanism.

But I'm glad I didn't see your holder last week. I might not have bothered installing an Octopi server - and missed out on all the many other benefits it provides.

 

[The Hat]

I don't reckon I'm the type to add another step into my printing and using Octoprint is a step to far for me, besides I don’t have a Pi to begin with, I simply use SCAD, CURA and onto Print, with a little walk in between, that’s all it takes me, and I can shut down my computer at any time.

I’m still not convinced that I would benefit from using Octoprint and Pi to the way I work now.

By the way, I also have one of those microSD card extenders. I designed a simple holder for it:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2159505

I started to use the Microcard extender because I too found the MC slot on the printers were a bitch to access, I download your Microcard holder and am going to use it shortly, thanks @ninj..

 

[FryingSaucer]

besides I don’t have a Pi to begin with

I have to admit, I had a raspberry pi I'd bought a few years ago and never used. That made it a no-brainer for me to put it on my printer.

 

[Redbrickman]

I have an RPI 2B which is now redundant from its previous use and is waiting patiently on its new home aboard my first 3d machine.

 

[Nifty]

Maybe some day I'll setup an RPi and Octoprint, but for now this is working well for me: https://www.printerknowledge.com/threads/creality-cr-10-sd-card-extension-protection.12090/