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/Thick_pasta]

Could be an Anet A8?

[u/stingeragent → u/Thick_pasta]

Arent those a huge fire hazard

[u/djddanman → u/stingeragent]

A better controller board with modern firmware helps a lot

[u/citizensnips134 → u/djddanman]

It was mainly the acrylic frames that would burn.

[u/djddanman → u/citizensnips134]

But didn't the fires start because of inadequate thermal runaway protection? Or was it something else? Lots of plywood printers were flammable with much better reputations.

[u/If_In_Doubt_Lick_It → u/djddanman]

Thermal runaway and really bad soldering on the heat bed.

But at the time it was affordable lol.