The Project Pad

Is this your coworkers printer? Looks like the nozzle settings are off, there shouldn't be so much of a gap between the "traces". And you're correct about the first design. Unless you have a dual extruder printing support material, it's very hard to get a good build with anything more than a 45 degree overhang (half a trace/nozzle width). Let along a straight overhang like that. Might want to try a smaller nozzle too.

ABS or PLA?

alxdgr8 wrote:Is this your coworkers printer? Looks like the nozzle settings are off, there shouldn't be so much of a gap between the "traces". And you're correct about the first design. Unless you have a dual extruder printing support material, it's very hard to get a good build with anything more than a 45 degree overhang (half a trace/nozzle width). Let along a straight overhang like that. Might want to try a smaller nozzle too.

ABS or PLA?

The material is ABS. They tried PLA once, but their extruder is too hot for it or something. I guess it was mushing out of the top of the extruder when they tried it. Not enough cooling far away from the tip.

It is my co-worker's printer. How did you know? Maybe I mentioned it before, I don't remember though

I did notice the traces were quite separated on one of the prints, especially around the corners. I didn't think it was supposed to be quite like that. The other one he printed looked much better, but still not perfect. He's been trying to get it right for a while, but hasn't come up with the perfect combo of settings quite yet. It is good enough for some quick prototypes for now at least.

He did have supports for all of the overhangs. I'm not sure why you'd need a second extruder for that? It just prints the support as it prints the part. Anyhow, you seem to know a bit about this, so any advice is welcome


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Just a short story relating to this car... Yesterday I drove it to work after it had the low fuel light on for a few days (short trips with the light on). I was going to get gas before work, but skipped it so I wouldn't be late. The gas station is close to work, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem to get some on the way back. Well, it turned out that the gas station was only accepting cash due to network problems, so I had to go to the next closest station. That was roughly 7 miles down the road. I knew I was cutting it close, but I didn't realize how close... The car started sputtering JUST as I pulled into the second station. I filled up and all was good to go.

However, I did notice some detonation around 5500 RPM and higher. I haven't really noticed it before... maybe a little, but I'm not positive. I have definitely positively ID'd it now though. It did it a few times today in the morning, but not in the afternoon. It could be a gas problem. I'm running 93 in it, and of course that has some small ethanol content too which actually helps with det. I'm just wondering why it'd be knocking. It isn't particularly hot out, ECU is stock, and I'm running 93. Not having knock sensors kinda sucks!

This is all the more reason to go standalone on the car It'll be interesting trying to avoid det on this 10:1 engine with boost, but at least I'll be able to control it then!

loxxrider wrote:

alxdgr8 wrote:Is this your coworkers printer? Looks like the nozzle settings are off, there shouldn't be so much of a gap between the "traces". And you're correct about the first design. Unless you have a dual extruder printing support material, it's very hard to get a good build with anything more than a 45 degree overhang (half a trace/nozzle width). Let along a straight overhang like that. Might want to try a smaller nozzle too.

ABS or PLA?

The material is ABS. They tried PLA once, but their extruder is too hot for it or something. I guess it was mushing out of the top of the extruder when they tried it. Not enough cooling far away from the tip.

It is my co-worker's printer. How did you know? Maybe I mentioned it before, I don't remember though

I did notice the traces were quite separated on one of the prints, especially around the corners. I didn't think it was supposed to be quite like that. The other one he printed looked much better, but still not perfect. He's been trying to get it right for a while, but hasn't come up with the perfect combo of settings quite yet. It is good enough for some quick prototypes for now at least.

He did have supports for all of the overhangs. I'm not sure why you'd need a second extruder for that? It just prints the support as it prints the part. Anyhow, you seem to know a bit about this, so any advice is welcome

You mentioned your coworker had one in another thread I think
I just got one up and running and have been messing around with it a lot. I've gotten it pretty good, but it seems like you need to mod the speeds depending on the part you're doing. What works great for one doesn't always work for the other. I tried PLA too, but I couldn't get it to print worth crap (that was before I printed a nozzle fan holder though which PLA seems to need on 100% of the time). I've got a 0.4mm nozzle with 1.75mm filament. It looks like his is using a larger nozzle (which will print faster, but won't fill in smaller details).
What kind of printer and software? I'm using Slic3r and you can fine-tune the nozzle diameter if it looks like it's not extruding enough (gaps between traces). Also make sure that the extruder stepper motor is calibrated (ie. if you tell it to extrude 10mm, it pulls in exactly 10mm of filament). You also want to measure your filament and input it's actual diameter, not just the nominal.
I forgot with some of the software that you can print supports into parts. A better way is to print with a dual head where one has a material that dissolves in water (PVA is one material, but it usually works best with PLA). It's pretty cool: http://www.3ders.org/articles/20120128- ... -cube.html

Oh, that's pretty cool about the dissolvable materials. PVA is interesting because it is what many composites companies use as a release agent when making molds. It isn't very rigid stuff though.

Anyway, I talked to him this morning and he said the Z wasn't perfectly calibrated on the first part. The second part was much better (still Rev/Gen1) and the Gen2 part he printed last night is apparently really good. Just needed the Z calibrated better for the first layer. All other layers were much better.

Good point about the nozzle size. It would be nice to have something more fine. I think he does have a fan on the extruder, but that might not be enough. I'll bring it up to him. He has mentioned getting a different/better extruder for the PLA though.

Oh and the printer is a Makerfarm.

Running the car low/out of fuel may have hurt the pump, It may not be dead but it might not be capable of supplying enough fuel at higher rpms and wot anymore.

The Vast majority of knowledgeable BMW peeps tend to always recommend filling back up not long after you get below 1/4 tank for long fuel pump life. I have also heard claims that the cars run leaner when low on fuel, but I kinda think that may be bs.

Justin517 wrote:Running the car low/out of fuel may have hurt the pump, It may not be dead but it might not be capable of supplying enough fuel at higher rpms and wot anymore.

The Vast majority of knowledgeable BMW peeps tend to always recommend filling back up not long after you get below 1/4 tank for long fuel pump life. I have also heard claims that the cars run leaner when low on fuel, but I kinda think that may be bs.

We have had had issues like that with the fuel pump in the Saab. It doesn't like it when fuel gets below 1/4 tank, and we have damaged fuel pumps in it before from running low on fuel.

Technical reason being, the fuel is actually cooling the pump IIRC. It's the same with most Ford fuel pumps.

The detonation is probably due to the pickup sucking up a ton of crap/rust from the years. (Reference your floor)

This used to happen to us ALL the time with our PUCH mopeds. Aside from cleaning the actual tank we used to either run a Seafoam type cleaner, or if we got real nuts 30psi through the fuel line backwards

Worked every time

That is interesting information on an issue I haven't had experience with before. Thanks for the heads-up. It seemed to have cleared up the last time I drove it. We'll see in the next few weeks. I just installed a wideband in the car (minus actually welding the bung in), so it will be interesting to see what's really going on.

I'll just leave this here...
http://bringatrailer.com/2014/04/20/eur ... w-m635csi/

alxdgr8 wrote:I'll just leave this here...
http://bringatrailer.com/2014/04/20/eur ... w-m635csi/

For those on a budget
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4409697422.html
http://cincinnati.craigslist.org/cto/4402337772.html

Although not nearly as nice as that. The broken odometer is kinda sketch to merit a price that high.

Heh, I know about that one. The guy told me he wouldn't take any less than 35k for it the last time it was listed on ebay (about a week ago). Came off like a total d-bag. I'd love to buy that car, but not for $25k! It has had me thinking of picking up an M6 or M635 if I can get one for cheap (I could have when I bought the current one and now I'm kicking myself a bit). They are the next big money makers from BMW for sure. I've been HARD on the lookout for a good deal on an E30 M3 lately though. Long term investment potential is through the roof. Just need a roof to keep it under :/

As for the second two cars... total basket cases, but nothing one of us here couldn't handle They all have rust, it's just a matter of how much, or how much you're willing to ignore. For what it's worth, I'd buy a euro spec car for double the money I'd buy a US car for. They are totally different in so many ways. Unless you want a luxo barge, the US cars kinda stink! Significantly heavier, engine has significantly less power, and much uglier! That euro with the dogleg is an early car which makes it cool in some ways (having the dogleg is cool for one), but not so cool in others (parts can be harder to find). Just be ready for a nice big project when you get one for cheap... if you want it to be nice. They'll run forever though. 'Till they rust to death!

Updates... hmmm. I'll have some soon. Not too much has been going on.

I did install a new window reg in the E46, so all of the windows work flawlessly now. The (hopefully) only mechanical thing left to do on the car is a new rear diff bushing. Hopefully that will cure the clunk I get when getting on/off the gas, shifting, etc. It drives beautifully otherwise, like a new car. Then the remaining issues are purely cosmetic. Hood needs some bodywork, some dents need removed, and maybe some minor paint where there are scratches, etc. Then it'll be good as new! I'd love to sell it, but my poor old Dad just can't seem to stop wanting it. He also can't seem to cough up the money for it So much for my flip idea.

Also installed a new diff in the E34. I have videos of that to post Not videos of the diff swap, but videos of that glorious little 3.0l V8 with the exhaust off, bouncing off of the rev limiter down the highway

Let's see... E36, Hmm. Well, I installed a new blinker corner thing in the right front of the car. I warned my Dad that the cheap Chinese non-OEM one would totally suck. Sure enough it broke on install and now the socket for the bulb is screwed up. New socket on the way, but damned if it wouldn't have just been better to buy OEM in the first place!

And finally, the 635csi. I've had some fun with it lately. Yesterday for example, it was on fire, then an angle grinder almost took off my hand, and then the slave cylinder hose burst (possibly as a result of the fire). More on that later! Slave hose has been overnighted and will get installed tomorrow hopefully.

Better update with pictures later

I guess I didn't realize you have 4 BMWs. Lol

chaloux wrote:I guess I didn't realize you have 4 BMWs. Lol

Well... technically I only own the X3, M5, 635csi, and half of the E34...

The E36 is my dad's, and the E46 is, well... mine too financially speaking. It is supposed to be his though!

They just make good drivers and typically are a joy to work on and maintain for me.

Oh, there's 6. That's better

Big surprise incoming...

Turbo 635???

I fn hope so

I wish! I made a "smarter" move than that financially. You'll see after this weekend.

loxxrider wrote:I wish! I made a "smarter" move than that financially. You'll see after this weekend.

So it's supercharged....?

loxxrider wrote:I wish! I made a "smarter" move than that financially. You'll see after this weekend.

if you bought a smart car, I'm burning your 200

How many cars can one man own?

Must be a Tesla

pilihp2 wrote:How many cars can one man own?

Chris makes me feel good about having only 4 cars and 3 motorcycles