Hi everyone. I’m a retired newbie that has researched, looked for sources and learned CAD in the past 9 months in preparation to building my first 3D Printer. I decided on the MendelMax 1.5 version similar to the BCN design from Spain. Now that I am ready, I notice that many companies have discontinued this model. Did I pick the wrong model? Is there something wrong with the design? Should I look at something different? I am open to any advice on this. Thank you.
More recent tend to be prussa i3 or one of the kossels
Thank you. Looks like I have more research.
MendelMax is a nice sturdy design but the prussa i3 has way fewer parts and is much easier to build. There is also the graber i3 variant which is what I am building next.
U can buy some rather complete I3 kits
There a buying guide
I have a MM1.5+ and it’s a good, very solid (I can stand on it) expandable and upgradable design (I’ve already printed many upgrades). The BCN design seems to put the motors inside the frame and I’m not really sure why, it just means you need a bigger frame (more aluminium) for the same build area. While not really giving any benefits. The i3 is probably what I’d build now though, just for price and availability if not anything else!
Hey Ed, no worries, a mm1.5 is still a great machine. You might just be noticing that 9 months in reprap is equal to around 42 years in anything else 
I’ve just built a prusa i3 this week. Nice and simple, cheap for parts, open for easy access. Nice and rigid single alloy frame design, fast and precise. I like it 
Thanks to everyone for the input. The i3 does look “cleaner” and more open. If it costs less I might try it first. I will then have a printer to print parts needed for different styles and learn as much as I can about 3D Printing. This will help me in my ultimate goal to develop a Maker Space with a few printers here in the Philippines where I retired so others can print parts and share experiences.
I’m based in Singapore if u have questions. I’m finishing a kossel and planning a few others If u have questions
@Glenn_West Thanks for the offer Glenn. I would like to contact you if I have some questions. I have been to Singapore many times, in fact my first trip was in 1980. I know Singapore is putting emphasis on future technology like 3D Printing. The Kossel design, I knew it as Delta, is a design that really intrigued me. I thought it might be too complex for my first build, but down the road after I learn more it might look easier. Especially since I think it would be good to have different design printers in my future Maker Space. But for now, I just have to focus and get started. I know from experience that things move fast in Singapore, but in the Philippines they operate on Philippine Time which is not all bad. Please let me know how your build works.
Actually up to doing the wiring on my build. The mechanical is generally simple. The killer is not having a printer when building a printer. There is a large group of reprapers in Singapore so it’s a little easier. I think getting a i3 is really useful.
Check out reprap magazine issue one has a build guide on i3