I just inherited my first 3D printer, a Printrbot+ V1, I think. It came from my daughter’s teacher. Only problem is that, having been assembled by junior high students, it’s a bit wonky and doesn’t quite work. The Z axis carriage binds-up, but I think new linear bearings, a replacement threaded rod and some lube will improve the situation.
It looks like I’ll be calling in sick to work tomorrow.
A printrbot that’s “a bit wonky and doesn’t quite work”? Sounds like they put it together perfectly. Maybe even made some improvements on the original design 
So snarky yet my thoughts exactly. Not sure how linear bearings could get messed up TBH. Might just tear it down and rebuild.
Oh, great … what have I walked into? 
@Brian_Evans , I can manually raise the z-axis pretty smoothly. However, when I lower it, it hangs-up and makes little crunchy noises as I use a little pressure to force it back down. Those noises sound like what I imagine to be the bearings clicking against each other as they reposition … or something.
I have a v1 as well. I can confirm the linear bearings bind on the way down, most likely because they’re cheap or because some of the ball bearings are missing. Fortunately it’s not a problem on the way up, which is the important direction ;-). What I do when I start printing is gently push down on the Z carriage to help it to the bed, and after that it prints fine. Eventually I’ll replace my bearings as well. I put some bicycle lube on the threaded rods and haven’t had any problems with them.
Don’t expect Bukobot quality from your prints, but with some tuning it’s fine for prototyping. One additional suggestion: be very careful with the usb port on the Printrboard as not all of them are soldered on well. I suggest either leaving the cable plugged in all the time, or if you’re like me and take it on the road, consider a short extension cable that you can leave plugged in all the time.
@Chris_Horton , thanks for the insight. Sounds like those bearings are just crap, plain and simple.
I have to replace one of my threaded rods, as its threads are deformed midway up. Is there a type of all-thread I should get that’s better than the typical stuff sold at hardware stores? Seems like that make an impact on print quality.
Go to http://printrbottalk.com when you need help
