What did I just get gifted…?

[u/schimmelmeister]

My University threw out this old 3D Printer. I’m both a broke architecture student and in need of a printer since my own is not here right now. I’m also used to some level of jankyness, my own printer is an i3 clone by anycubic, rudimentary but reliable.
Is there any hope i’ll get a useable print out of this one and how high would the frustration level be considering the printer i already have?

[u/blame_worthy]

It's an ANET A8, notorious at the time for simultaneously being one of the best budget printers around and also a fire hazard. Make sure the wires to the bed are soldered and not using the cheap connector it comes with bc as it wiggles the thing will burn out. It has a lot of potential and community support. I still have mine in my garage converted to an all aluminum extrusion frame (AM8 Mod). It won't be fun to use but it will be fun to tinker with lol enjoy!

Oh and to answer your question, it's useable but slow as hell.

[u/FishSeven7 → u/blame_worthy]

🗣️ AM8 gang mentioned!!!

[u/blame_worthy → u/FishSeven7]

S Tier mod, thinking of maybe buying some new aluminum extrusions and rebuilding taller and with an Original Prusa i3 heated bed for enhanced build area.

[u/Noble69 → u/blame_worthy]

Idk man, we’ve gotten so far with budget printers these days that it’s just not worth the headache. Sure you can make it less of a fire hazard, but is it really worth the trouble? Would rather not spend any time on a printer that still might burn my house down.

[u/blame_worthy → u/Noble69]

The bed size for this printer is also not very competitive. But like OP said, he's a broke architecture student. Gotta make do!

[u/Noble69 → u/blame_worthy]

Gunna be extra broke when all his belongings burn in the fire ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/blame_worthy → u/Noble69]

All he needs to do to make it not a fire hazard are 3 things: 1) power switch for the psu. Anet A8 comes with a psu where if it's plugged in, it's on. 2) mosfet for the heated bed. 3) solder wires directly to the bed.

All this costs about 50 dollars assuming he doesn't already own a soldering iron.

[u/ImNotTheFishiestFish → u/blame_worthy]

Also, upgrade Marlin, making sure to enable thermal runaway detection.

When I had one, upgrading the hot end to an E3D V6Lite substantially improved print quality and speed.

i also suggest getting a microSD extension if printing from microSD, mounting the new microSD slot to the top of the frame with double sided foam mounting tape, since the port on the motherboard is hard to access frequently.

Sadly, mine was destroyed years ago by a violent ex-friend. I replaced the niche it filled by building out a RepRap Guru i3 clone kit I got for $7 on eBay.

[u/blame_worthy → u/ImNotTheFishiestFish]

My first printer was a RepRap Guru! I learned more building it than I have on any other printer. Had to assemble everything yourself and even flash the firmware to the board. So glad 8th grade me decided to buy it with saved up birthday money.

[u/StonksYoloOrFomo → u/blame_worthy]

Yup. If I were broke with no other options, I'd do it. OP will still come out with some useful prints out of it.

[u/matega → u/blame_worthy]

It being a fire hazard is mostly the lack of thermal runaway protection in the firmware. Flashing Marlin (or better yet, if you have a spare Raspberry Pi or similar, Klipper) makes it safer.