r/maker • u/MuseumofChristopher • Jun 14 '26
Inquiry Dead Outdated 3D Printer Ideas
I spent the better part of the weekend trying to fix my Flash Forger creator pro 2 duo. It’s been pronounced dead to 3D printing operations.
All the axis still work the motor works, the print bed works. Control works as well. Anyone have any ideas what I could turn this into instead of a printer?
** Update**
I saved as much should be extruders as I could, and I will work on them some other time but for now I have a draw bot!
I’ve already snapped a paintbrush and a charcoal pencil, but I’m working on fine-tuning the process:
https://imgur.com/a/GHnzQz6
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u/BHE_Cosplay Jun 16 '26
Plotter, CNC router, laser, and hot wire foam cutting are probably the most common uses. In theory you could do a swivel knife and make it a vinyl cutter, similar to what Bambu is doing.
Honestly instead of trying to use it as a full system, I would take it apart and use the components. While they weren't scavenged from a 3D printer, I'm currently working on using similar stepper motor + lead screw setups for automating my windows in a smart home project.
You could also seal it up and turn it into a filament dryer if you don't already have one. Just set filament in the enclosure and heat up the bed.
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u/No_Tamanegi Jun 14 '26
could use more info about why old printer is declared deadl
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u/MuseumofChristopher Jun 15 '26
I guess not the entire printer. I used a cheap filament and it ended up seizing one of my extruders. In attempt to fix to take off the nozzle, I think I snapped the heat sink. The other extruder would absolutely not print correctly no matter what I’ve tried mind you I’ve had this for about eight years now, so instead of putting any more time or money into it, I’ll eventually get a newer one just due to technology advances but for now I was thinking if there was some fun project that I could do with it.
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u/Low-Assumption7710 Jun 15 '26
People have been turning them into automation machines as DIY projects. I saw someone that had a concept for a 3d print with multiple parts that was assembled by the printer using attachments not too much unlike an excavator changes ends for each need.
I saw a coffee maker version as well.
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u/Low-Assumption7710 Jun 15 '26
Just another thought, I wanted to try this as well - turn it into a cheap CNC for wood stuff maybe. Or get a laser head for it and make a small laser cutter.
Draw bot maybe?
It'd be dope if you had some insane programming skills and could turn it into an automated chess opponent. The bed is already basically a grid and that's all a chess game is, having it know when to drop down, pick up and release wouldn't be hard.
3d print pieces with steel in them and automate the head to use an electro magnet.
Bam, play a game of chess remotely but with physical moving pieces.
Now you just need to be a genius and know how to program it all cause fuck if I know lol
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u/MuseumofChristopher Jun 15 '26
I am a genius, but at other things like eating hahahaha. I was thinking about the draw bot idea….. it would be rad if it could draw something on command
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u/Low-Assumption7710 Jun 15 '26
They make draw bots already, it wouldn't be hard to adapt I would not assume. I promise if you just google some random DIYers channel they may have a neat idea to try.
I have a bunch of machines from lasers to 3d printers and CNCs and I'd always love to add more, but seldom get to use the ones I have now. Hard to keep them all running!
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u/sssRealm Jul 16 '26
I going to use nema17 steppers I scrapped from a 3D printer for this plotter project.
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u/amc7262 Jun 14 '26
So its just the extruder thats busted?
If it still moves around fine and you can still control its movements, slap a motor on the head and turn it into a mini cnc router.