Hello everyone!
I am looking for advice on how to begin with the printer. My dad had that printer and I am looking to take over his work. Sadly, he is not here anymore to show me how it works…
So I know he was able to print a lot of things, so the build worked. I just don’t know what software it needs, how to do anything basically.
Also, I was wondering if anyone made a full enclosure for the printer. I have two cats and I just know they will mess with this.
Thanks in advance! 
Lets see pictures of what you have, the entire printer itself, the hot end, and the control board.
I’m sorry to hear about your dad. We’ll help out where we can, and you should be able to get it going. I’m interested in seeing the pictures, like Ryan said, and as for the enclosure, a cardboard box will do in the near term, either plopping it over the top, or putting the whole thing in one, and just closing the lid. It’s a common suggestion when people are having wind or the environment is getting too cold. After you get some printing, another popular solution (for most printers) is the ikea lack table. There are several parts on thingiverse to make brackets for doors and such. I haven’t measure it against an MP3DP though.
Hello Francois,
Very sorry for your loss, I hope you’re doing okay 
Beginning in 3D printing is a bit challenging, there are lots of stuff to learn, but it’s not actually very complicated and once you’ll get it it will become super easy.
Basically, the first thing is to get a 3D file of the object you want to print. Since I don’t know if you’re able to design yourself, I suggest you first to go on the website www.thingiverse.com and download a “.stl” file of a commonly printed object, like this one, which is ideal for testing: #3DBenchy - The jolly 3D printing torture-test by CreativeTools.se by CreativeTools - Thingiverse
Then, depending on your situation, you’ll have the following options:
-Do you still have access to your dad’s computer? If yes, I suggest you to use it so you will have all the configuration he already did for the printer, it will be way easier for you. In which case, try to find the printing software he was using, might be Cura, Slic3r, Simplify3D, Kisslicer… those are the most popular ones so there’s a good chance it will be one of those.
-If you don’t have access to his computer, then it will be a bit more work, you’ll have to download one of those softwares I just mentionned (in my humble opinion, Kisslicer being the best of the bunch) and you’ll have to configure them for your machine (input the dimensions, the nozzle diameter, the temperatures, infill percentage, and so on)
Then import your 3D file in the software, find the “slice” button and save the new file in an SD card.
Put the card in the printer and navigate in the menu until you find your file, then hit print and let the machine do the hard work.
I suggest you to spend some time on Youtube to watch as many tutorials on 3D printing as you can, it will be way easier to understand the process than reading forums.
Anyway, good luck and don’t hesitate to come back here if you’re having any issue along the way, if the machine used to work fine then it should be pretty easy to make it work again, most of the hard work is already done!
First I am sorry to hear about your Father.
If you want an enclosure I like the suggestions given in this video. This is for a different printer but it should fit. This is the same IKEA LACK table design that Jeffeb3 mentioned. But the tent in the video should work as well.
For advice and help you can ask any questions here in the forums. I may also suggest checking a local library. Many of them have 3D printers and they have people that can teach you how to use them. If you setup a time to talk with them they might be able to help teach you any number of tips and tricks. I prefer to learn from YouTube but that is just me.
To get started.
You will most likely use Repetier host as your computer software. It is a free program that can convert 3D files into the Gcode your printer will need. Repetier host can also connect to your printer and control it manually. Here is the info page to set that up. https://www.v1engineering.com/repetier-host/
So please. Feel free to ask any other questions and I think we can walk you through it one step at a time.
Hi guys!
Thank you very much for the help! I have ordered the photo tent and will be building that LACK setup, it’s pretty cool!
Here’s a first picture, will have more tomorrow
Thanks a lot!
François
That is a nice printer. Bltouch, filament runout sensor, Mk8 extruder, custom bracket for the filament.
It’s a version 1 of the mp3dp. Please also take a photo of the controller. You’ll also want to know what filament you have, or just order something of known quantity.
This is going to be a challenge, to give you the info you need. But it will be fun. I hope you’re ready on your side, because information is going to come like a firehose.
I agree that is a nice machine. I also noticed the Build TAK on the bed. Nice.
The controller Jeffeb3 mentioned is the large circuit board that all the wires plug into. We want to know what Brand, type, version you have so we can give useful advice and instructions.
The filament you have there looks like PLA to me. Normally you can’t tell from looks but PLA is the only filament that I know of that gets brittle and snaps when it is left to sit for a period of time. If that filament is easy to break with your fingers then you will want to just throw it away and buy some new filament like Jeffeb3 said. Word of advice. Pay attention to brands. It makes a big difference. The cheapest filament you can buy will usually give you the worst results and make for a bad experience. I have been slowly switching my filaments to Prusament where possible. They are usually About $25 a spool and they aim for top quality and consistent diameter. There are a lot of good brands though. Just read user reviews.
Fun note for anyone interested. If you are not sure if a filament is PLA or ABS you can light it on fire. ABS will burn dirty, smokey and drip black molten fire balls. PLA will burn cleaner and smell like something organic almost like a corn smell. I have no idea what PETG burns like. Hmmmmm. If you read about a residential fire in Colorado that might be me.
Hello everyone,
Here all the pictures I have taken and some info I found.
I think the board is a Rambo something, not sure… The small display is a Marlin something…
I saw that my dad was using Repetier to drive the printer. He had a config for Slic3r and Cura, not sure which one he used. I know that he had a tool or a sensor that could check at multiple position on the bed if it was leveled and adapt the Gcode to make it work.
Also, he received that Ziflex thing, I think it goes on the bed to make it easier to remove printed pieces. Don’t know if it work with the heated bed though.
In one of the pictures, I took the bed pretty up close to show that the bed is damaged there… I don’t know if that can cause any trouble and how to fix it.
Thank you so much guys!
And also, I’m not sure how to calibrate and what to calibrate. Even more with the auto leveling thing.
Thanks!
Make sure your mosfets do not touch on your ramps board, they look awfully close together!
What are mosfets?
Thanks
[attachment file=84705]
These guys. If the silver back parts touch, something will smoke. I thought the same thing.
Ok so I moved them apart so they would touch, but one of the two brown things began to smoke anyway… Is it just dead? 
Yup, that one is toast, and not the tasty kind.
Looks like you dad put a fair amount of efort in to get the best printer he could out of this design. The level sensor is either a BLTouch or a clone. If the black stuff on the bed is magnetic then you just put the nice clean surface on and print there. Verify first none of the bad stuff sticks up at all. If the magnetic surface is actually two pieces, the magnet and the print surface, you’ll want to peel the other stuff off before installing. You don’t want to try printing directly on the current surface, those rips will just be a headache.
Oh, bummer. Those are fuses. So something must have shorted. It would be nice to know what shorted to cause that. I think touching mosfets would do that, but did it smoke after you separated them?
You’ve got a few options. You could buy a ramps 1.4 board, which would be the easiest. You can keep the wiring the same and the software on the arduino will stay.
You could also try a mini rambo, which is more tolerant to things like this. But you’d need to flash the right software for things like thw bltouch and filament sensor. More complicated, but you’ll learn a lot and you’ll end up with a good sense of the printer. Definitely more work though.
This I a quick video that shows how that Ziflex should be used.
That layer on your print bed right now could be part of this Ziflex or it could be the old build tak that got damaged so he was going to replace it with the Ziflex.
Quick thanks to all of you guys! I rarely saw a community that supportive ! 
So I ordered another ramps 1.4 board, will replace this tonight and I will make sure nothing touches !
It started smoking when it was heating up the bed so I didn’t have the chance to print anything. I’m pretty excited!
Will update you on how it goes!
Thanks again!
