Review on Vinci Mini Wireless Printer 6 Antibacterial: Compact Printing Solution with Advanced Germ-fighting Technology by Brian Kingsford

This is a great product but not reliable. I still give it 5 stars for the value I got compared to what I paid for. Bought this printer about a month ago. This is my first 3D printer. I have printed dozens of articles with it and have used this printer for over 100 hours of printing. I used designs from Thingiverse and made my own using Autodesk Fusion 360. Is it ideal - no. Is it great for a beginner at a price almost anyone can afford - yes. With that comes a certain responsibility to recognize that this is a fairly complex mechanism and will require some attention to detail in order for it to function properly over time. #1 - Use a good base for the build surface. The one that came with the machine is fine, but I switched to BuildTak's 3D printing build surface after my first print. BuildTak is much more durable. #2 - Use glue every time to add some stickiness to the build surface. I only use Elmer's glue stick. You don't need much. If the ambient temperature is not very high, the filament will not adhere well to the site and you will end up with a mess. Yes, I learned that the hard way. Adhesive residue may build up on the pad after a few washes, but an adhesive remover like Goo Gone or something similar that you can get at your local hardware store can remove it with a quick rub with a paper towel. #3 - Before loading, cut the thread at an angle according to the instructions. Make sure the end is smooth (i.e. nothing sticks out when you run your fingers over it). This is necessary to ensure clean feeding into the extruder. Also use the XYZ software download method (google the video if it's not obvious). #4 - The filament cartridge can be inserted into the hub in any orientation. Choose the orientation where the thread comes from the back of the machine. To put it another way, the filament tends to bounce and twist over the sides of the cartridge. If it is twisted too much, the thread guide cannot pull up the thread. #5 - Calibrate the system regularly. I do this with every other build. #6 - Clean the extruder when the program tells you to (every 25 hours). If you don't do this, the extruder will eventually clog. (yes, I learned that the hard way too). This is a bit tricky the first time. Again google videos to walk you through it the first time. I found that removing the extruder from the motion system (keeping the electrical connection to keep the extruder hot) made cleaning easier, but that was just so I could see what I was doing. I don't think it's necessary if you see well, but I don't. #7 - Use the raft setup for your first few builds. He installs a plastic base on which the assembly then takes place. This alleviates some of the problems some people have written about. Some filament is used, but until you get used to some of the quirks of 3D printing, building on a raft will result in much more successful builds. Once you feel like building up a few items, you can explore and experiment with when you should or shouldn't use a raft. Note. It is not a toy and cannot be destroyed. Care should be taken, particularly when removing the assembly from the mounting location. I could see where a person could break something just trying to build muscle off the court. I see where others say their kids are using it. I also had children who used mine, but not without me. should not be a problem. The filament is a bit more expensive, but you can be sure that it will work in the Da Vinci Mini. If you're experienced enough to be able to select the type or quality of yarn you need, then this machine probably isn't for you anyway. In my opinion, for a beginner, it's worth a few bucks to know that the thread you're buying will work in the machine. I've tried several colors that XYZ sells and have had great luck with all of them. You install and print them. I agree. I'm sure that one day I'll want to switch to more exotic filaments, then I'll need a different 3D printer. Pros It's almost ready to unbox. Attach the printhead, stick on the build pad, load the filament and you're good to go. Yes, the documentation leaves a lot to be desired, but a quick Google search and you can find quick YouTube videos that explain everything. In any case, I prefer videos to trying to understand the documentation. The software has the basics and enough advanced features to get the job done, but not so much that you're overwhelmed. Again the right level of difficulty for a beginner. ConsWiFi is not always recognized by some XYZ software tools. Some builds just won't complete. The system just stops. The XYZ software contains bugs. Sometimes it just freezes. Summary Yes, the XYZ software may freeze and you will need to go to Task Manager to close it. Yes, sometimes the printer just stops in the middle of a build (about 10% of the builds I try). Yes, the Wi-Fi is weird (very reliable when transferring a model from the XYZ software, but the printer info panel sometimes doesn't recognize the presence of a printer). Despite these minor annoyances, I still think this product is a good buy. If you're looking to get into the world of 3D printing, this is a great place to start.