Lulzbot 3D Printer Mediocre Review (1of 3)
0Sorry for the low video quality. I'm not excited about this video, and just want to upload it fast. I wasn't going to post it, but it might be useful for someone.
AUGH! These e-mails are too long to post here. I'll just include some snippets, then.
(My attempt to make some kind of peace)
I don't expect anything from you. Look, I see where this is going. I say no I didn't, you say yes I did... and we'll go around in circles until someone uses the F word. I'm going to try to back off that path, and aim for something more rational.
Maybe we can have a positive resolution to this. Bottom line for me is that I want a machine, and as I said in the video, the machine works great other than the issues I had with the nozzles. I can see that this is something you care a lot about, and I also very much want to support the open source community.
How 'bout this? I'll take blame for my part in being frustruated and impatient, and I suspect your reaction is because this is something you're passionate about. Send me a 2.0 Buda and I'll do a follow up video. It looks pretty easy to swap out. There was a breakdown in communication, but it isn't the end of the world. I've also started a business and I know how hard it can be when you get things right 99% of the time, and have one unhappy customer fall through the cracks.
I do appreciate the advice on crimping instead of soldering. I wouldn't have known that otherwise. Its also very cool that you guys are making improvements to things like the nozzles.
Heck, if you give me advice on how best to get the nozzles off and on, I'd be happy to make a video about that too. It was hard to find any detailed explanation on that if it doesn't go smoothly.
Anyway, I don't want to be one to get in the way of a guy who's trying to do some cool stuff in the world, so maybe we can shake hands, and agree that doing something you care about a lot is difficult, but its still the best thing to do.
Jaimie
(Lulzbot response)
My reaction comes from the insinuation that we are trying to cheat/screw you and all the snark in the video. I'd much rather just send you a shipping label and get the box back. Then you can get a Solidoodle or Makerbot or whatever your fancy is.
If I'm not mistaken, your machine is working fine at present (if I understand all this correctly). I refunded the cost of the Buda parts. You would like an additional Buda 2.0? We can send you one. Note, the nozzle threads of the 2.0 and 1.x are different. You will get a tracking # emailed when it is available.
The Buda was really the first fully documented RepRap hot end that worked well that had full files available under an Open License. There was really little before that (other than a lot of random prototypes) and what was was there wasn't very well documented. The Buda hot end is on it's 6th generation now, I believe. We have published all the files to the hot end even before selling updated versions (e.g. docs to the 2.0 were on our site for months before it was available). This is true of many other parts of the machine. There are companies in the USA, EU, and China that clone it. They often buy up a lot of our components.
There is a video on the nozzles:
(video link)
It is also on page 48 of the manual. If it doesn't go smoothly, it means that it is cross threaded or similar, so basically it is hosed.
Ok.
But I still think you should just send the machine back and use a competitor. We can get you a FedEx return label.
Thanks for your consideration,
-Jeff
**more nasty comments from Jeff that I'm told he's since erased...?**
REFUND CONFIRMATION
Order Information
Merchant: Aleph Objects, Inc.
Description: Please take business elsewhere
(Then the rest of the refund info)
THERE! NOW EVERYONE CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENED, AND I'M NOT WASTING ANY MORE TIME ON ARGUING!!!
(Subsequently, a different guy at lulzbot sent me a message that could have easily alleviated the entire situation)
Hello Jamie!
I wanted to let you know that we've sent the replacement Budaschnozzle
2.0 and a 0.35mm nozzle. Please keep in mind that this nozzle and hot
end will be incompatible with the existing Budaschnozzle 1.3 that the
printer shipped with. Here is your Fedex tracking number:
265517815009661. Thank you for our patience. We've encountered some
email issues this month. If you have any other questions or if I can be
of further assistance please let me know.
Thanks!
Claudio
Seriously.... that's all that has to happen. Customer service isn't that hard. Just be nice. Thank you, Claudio from Lulzbot, for being nice. :-) I didn't want a new nozzle... or a refund on most of the machine.... I just wanted a bit of cooperation. ....or at least to be left to fix it myself and post my experience without making an enemy.