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  • New Micro Center Customers: Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer $100 w/ Text Coupon (Valid In-Store Only)
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expired Posted by dealboy12 about 3 years ago
expired Posted by dealboy12 about 3 years ago

New Micro Center Customers: Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer

w/ Text Coupon (Valid In-Store Only)

$100

$300

66% off
Micro Center
424 Comments 176,820 Views
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Deal Details
Micro Center Stores [store locator] offer New Customers: Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer for $99.99 when you follow the steps below and present unique text coupon barcode at pickup. Offer valid in-store only.
  • Note: Offer valid through 10/18/2021 or while supplies last
Thanks to community member dealboy12 for finding this deal.

Available:Deal Instructions:
  1. Visit the Sign-up Page here and fill out your info
  2. Click on the Send My Coupon button
  3. Wait for the page to load, this can take some time
    • Note: If it errors-out, reload the page and try again
  4. Once completed you will get a 'Thank you, your coupon code has been sent.' message on the page
  5. Check your Text Messages and reply Y to the text that was sent
  6. You should receive a link to your Coupon shortly after
    • Coupon is valid through October 18, 2021

Editor's Notes

Written by megakimcheelove | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid through 10/18/2021 or while supplies last
    • This offer is $200 lower (66% savings) than the list price
    • This offer matches previous Front Page deal that earned 147+ thumbs up
  • About this product:
    • 3.25 Inch LCD Screen with Dial Button
    • Magnetic Removable Build Surface Plate
    • UL Certified Power Supply
    • 220 x 220 x 250mm Print Size
  • About this store:
    • US customers only. By signing up and clicking "Send My Coupon", you are agreeing to receive up to 5 SMS messages per month and marketing emails from Micro Center to the information that you provided at the time of signing up. You will receive premier access to our best offers, exclusive deals, alerts about new products, and more. Carrier message and data rates may apply. For help, text HELP to 41091. To opt-out, text STOP to 41091. To unsubscribe from email, see our Privacy Policy and Micro Center's Mobile T&C.
    • Offer only valid at Micro Center retail locations. Coupon cannot be used with other coupons. No coupons available at the store. Coupon is serialized / one-time use only. Coupon not redeemable for cash. New customers only. Limit one coupon per customer. While supplies last. Coupon valid only for SKU 950725.

Original Post

Written by dealboy12
Community Notes
About the Poster
Deal Details
Community Notes
About the Poster
Micro Center Stores [store locator] offer New Customers: Creality Ender 3 Pro 3D Printer for $99.99 when you follow the steps below and present unique text coupon barcode at pickup. Offer valid in-store only.
  • Note: Offer valid through 10/18/2021 or while supplies last
Thanks to community member dealboy12 for finding this deal.

Available:Deal Instructions:
  1. Visit the Sign-up Page here and fill out your info
  2. Click on the Send My Coupon button
  3. Wait for the page to load, this can take some time
    • Note: If it errors-out, reload the page and try again
  4. Once completed you will get a 'Thank you, your coupon code has been sent.' message on the page
  5. Check your Text Messages and reply Y to the text that was sent
  6. You should receive a link to your Coupon shortly after
    • Coupon is valid through October 18, 2021

Editor's Notes

Written by megakimcheelove | Staff
  • About this deal:
    • Offer valid through 10/18/2021 or while supplies last
    • This offer is $200 lower (66% savings) than the list price
    • This offer matches previous Front Page deal that earned 147+ thumbs up
  • About this product:
    • 3.25 Inch LCD Screen with Dial Button
    • Magnetic Removable Build Surface Plate
    • UL Certified Power Supply
    • 220 x 220 x 250mm Print Size
  • About this store:
    • US customers only. By signing up and clicking "Send My Coupon", you are agreeing to receive up to 5 SMS messages per month and marketing emails from Micro Center to the information that you provided at the time of signing up. You will receive premier access to our best offers, exclusive deals, alerts about new products, and more. Carrier message and data rates may apply. For help, text HELP to 41091. To opt-out, text STOP to 41091. To unsubscribe from email, see our Privacy Policy and Micro Center's Mobile T&C.
    • Offer only valid at Micro Center retail locations. Coupon cannot be used with other coupons. No coupons available at the store. Coupon is serialized / one-time use only. Coupon not redeemable for cash. New customers only. Limit one coupon per customer. While supplies last. Coupon valid only for SKU 950725.

Original Post

Written by dealboy12
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Top Comments

Printers good. Firmware is pretty ass. Support by the company sucks too. You can get good prints out of this printer, but you will spend 10-20 hours getting there. Also you are going to want to spend another $100 or so to get a octoprint running, and a bltouch leveling probe installed. The BLTouch firmware supplied by Ender never worked properly. I had to flash a custom marlin firmware I built. If you don't have octoprint you have to manually plug in a micro sd card with every file you want to print. The default prints look good. Getting it to work well with cura is kinda a pain. You will spend 5~ hours or so to get it in good shape. Take around an hour~ to build.

Make sure to print stuff like the filament wheel (that helps the filament feed), required a ball bearing. Also the tool holder is nice, as well as pi camera holder which you can integrate into octoprint so you can see your prints while they print without physically looking at the printer. If you are not technically inclined, go with another printer that works out of box. Some printers come fully assembled and already calibrated. If you don't have a programming background, 3d printing will be hard unless you are just printing something someone else has already created. Often things people have designed need to be modified to meet your needs.

TLDR: Good 3dprinter, bad firmware, takes time and effort, this printer is basically taking on a whole hobby just to get it working properly. If you want plug and play, this is not the printer for you.
Print guns!
Is it hard to learn? No. Does it take hobby level time commitment? yes.
Slicing software: Cura.

If you want to learn the basics, skim the below info.

First, I recommend watching some 3d printing basics from youtubers like Teaching tech [youtube.com], Thomas Sandlederer [youtube.com], Uncle Jessy [youtube.com], maker's muse, 3d printing nerd, cnckitchen, and many others.

Now you need 3 things to 3D print something:

3d model
3d printer
slicing software

The a software translates ("slices") the models into a code the printer can read (gcode). The consumer level printing industry is pretty open source.
That means three things: you can use almost any software with any printer, there's plenty of community support, open source can sometimes lack polish and ease of use (think iphone vs windows phone interface).


How it works:


Filament goes through an extruder
Extruder has a gear and a tension wheel
Filament gets pushed into hot end through a "bowden" tube.
Hotend heats up filament
Hotend fan keeps the filament from melting and clogging outside of the nozzle
Filament comes out the nozzle and is cooled by the cooling fan


Now on to the actual packages.

Popular slicers - Cura, Prusaslicer
Popular 3d print file website - Thingiverse (free), myminifactory, cults3d, pinshape (some free)
Popular beginner CAD - TinkerCAD (free)
Popular Novice CAD - Fusion360 (free, just have to look for right version)
Popular mesh modifier - Meshmixer (free) - cut/slice/split/add keys for printing, remesh
Popular mesh modeling - Blender (free, open source, steeeeeeep learning curve)
Popular mesh digital skulpting - Free: Meshmixer, Skulptris PAID: Mudbox,Zbrush
Popular resources - reddit: r/3dprinting, r/fixmyprint, r/functionalprint, r/3dprintingdeals Others https://all3dp.com/


If you want to create your own engineering based designs, use a CAD. If you want to create your own organic style designs, use mesh modeler or sculpting software.

Additional Tools needed:

Calipers
isopropyl alcohol - cleaning bed
Utility knife (be carefull)
Hex keys (included)
10mm wrench (included)
Flexible scraper (included)


Additional Tools recommended:

Straight edge
Square (woodworking square)
razor blade
deburring tool (highly recommend)
sand paper
tack cloth (to remove dust)
Clearcoat - I use Rustoleum 2X high gloss - smells better and dries fast.
Tape, hairspray, glue - for bed adhesion issues, if properly leveled it isn't needed. I use aquanet hairspray on glass beds.



What to expect before first print:

Check all bolts, nuts, check belt tension, and squareness of frame.
Check tightness of rollers on eccentric screws (not to tight, able to spin by hand with some friction)
Clean the bed
familiarize with menus on printer screen
home printer
Level the bed
Print model on usb stick.


What to do during your first print:

Keep the printer near you for first few prints at least.
Check hotend temp is ok (190-210 for PLA)
Check bed temp is ok (35-60 for PLA)
Watch the first layer, adjust bed height or level if needed. (not to close, not to far)
Watch other layers, are they printing ok?
Watch components, is the extruder spinning without mechanical noises? is filament coming out as it should (not underextruding)?


What to do after first print:

Download calibration models (thingiverse)
Choose your basic settings in the slicer (stick to defaults)
Slice and print your first model


If you'd like to print more complicated models with supports and better quality then go ahead and run through:

Follow through with the calibration prints - use youtube or teachingtech as your guide [github.io]
learn how to change a nozzle, learn how to reassemble the hotend properly (very very important)
Flow calibration
Stringing calibration
do not do linear advance, Ender3s don't support it.





This is a quick and dirty list of things. I encourage anyone to do their own due diligence, youtube has a lot of great clear and easy to follow guides.

424 Comments

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about 3 years ago
138 Posts
Joined May 2015
about 3 years ago
lvhomepc
about 3 years ago
138 Posts
Why do I need one of these? I know I do, just need to know why?
7
2
about 3 years ago
80 Posts
Joined Dec 2007
about 3 years ago
mcmep11
about 3 years ago
80 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank mcmep11

Quote from lvhomepc :
Why do I need one of these? I know I do, just need to know why?
Print guns!
6
6
41
about 3 years ago
181 Posts
Joined Jul 2018
about 3 years ago
artanisone
about 3 years ago
181 Posts
Quote from lvhomepc :
Why do I need one of these? I know I do, just need to know why?
Because you'd like to print things around the house and repair things that break and you can't find a simple piece for sale without buying a brand new one of said thing. Also. For fun.
1
about 3 years ago
27 Posts
Joined Jun 2015
about 3 years ago
DannyG2002
about 3 years ago
27 Posts
Got the coupon and gave rep, thanks! Was waiting till black Friday to grab one of these but at this price, I'll go now.
Pro
about 3 years ago
5,179 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
about 3 years ago
wpc
Pro
about 3 years ago
5,179 Posts
Quote from mcmep11 :
Print guns!
don't you dares say that in california
9
13
about 3 years ago
150 Posts
Joined Mar 2012
about 3 years ago
hyuken
about 3 years ago
150 Posts
Downsides of this versus something more expensive?
about 3 years ago
41 Posts
Joined May 2015
about 3 years ago
zedteamk2
about 3 years ago
41 Posts
Micro centers website states 25+ in my store, is that likely to be accurate?

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about 3 years ago
853 Posts
Joined Jan 2008
about 3 years ago
johannbiermann
about 3 years ago
853 Posts
Anyone know if we can opt out and then opt back in to get this? I tried last time, but they had sold out by the time I could get to the store, but now I am signed up for their stuff.
about 3 years ago
269 Posts
Joined Feb 2015
about 3 years ago
JesseR6576
about 3 years ago
269 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank JesseR6576

Quote from lvhomepc :
Why do I need one of these? I know I do, just need to know why?
If you're anything like me, you need it to print upgrades for your new 3D printer...
2
8
about 3 years ago
306 Posts
Joined Jun 2006
about 3 years ago
Poolshark314
about 3 years ago
306 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Poolshark314

Quote from hyuken :
Downsides of this versus something more expensive?
Requires more tinkering to get setup right, but if that doesn't bother you, it's the way to go
1
Pro
about 3 years ago
2,583 Posts
Joined Aug 2009
about 3 years ago
Minions
Pro
about 3 years ago
2,583 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank Minions

Printers good. Firmware is pretty ass. Support by the company sucks too. You can get good prints out of this printer, but you will spend 10-20 hours getting there. Also you are going to want to spend another $100 or so to get a octoprint running, and a bltouch leveling probe installed. The BLTouch firmware supplied by Ender never worked properly. I had to flash a custom marlin firmware I built. If you don't have octoprint you have to manually plug in a micro sd card with every file you want to print. The default prints look good. Getting it to work well with cura is kinda a pain. You will spend 5~ hours or so to get it in good shape. Take around an hour~ to build.

Make sure to print stuff like the filament wheel (that helps the filament feed), required a ball bearing. Also the tool holder is nice, as well as pi camera holder which you can integrate into octoprint so you can see your prints while they print without physically looking at the printer. If you are not technically inclined, go with another printer that works out of box. Some printers come fully assembled and already calibrated. If you don't have a programming background, 3d printing will be hard unless you are just printing something someone else has already created. Often things people have designed need to be modified to meet your needs.

TLDR: Good 3dprinter, bad firmware, takes time and effort, this printer is basically taking on a whole hobby just to get it working properly. If you want plug and play, this is not the printer for you.
Last edited by Minions September 30, 2021 at 10:10 AM.
10
4
about 3 years ago
564 Posts
Joined Oct 2018
about 3 years ago
TravisB3211
about 3 years ago
564 Posts
Quote from zedteamk2 :
Micro centers website states 25+ in my store, is that likely to be accurate?
Yes.

They sell a ton of these. When boxed up, its not a large item.
Original Poster
about 3 years ago
5,367 Posts
Joined Oct 2007
about 3 years ago
dealboy12
Original Poster
about 3 years ago
5,367 Posts
Last time these were on sale they were allowing online reservations and that guaranteed you'd get one. I've watched the stock levels since they and they've been all over, but they are definitely high on stock this round. All local stores are saying 25+ and I bet they actually have them in stock. Worth the trip with the coupon especially if Micro Center isn't too far from you.

This printer is amazing at this price point. Nearly all 3D printers need tinkering, even the more expensive ones. May as well start with a machine like this to see how you like the hobby. I must warn you all, it is addicting.
about 3 years ago
228 Posts
Joined Jun 2010
about 3 years ago
liyejun
about 3 years ago
228 Posts
Grabbed one from CA Tustin store. More than 20 stacked there
Last edited by liyejun September 30, 2021 at 01:19 PM.

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about 3 years ago
419 Posts
Joined Dec 2017
about 3 years ago
DealArtist
about 3 years ago
419 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank DealArtist

Quote from Minions :
Printers good. Firmware is pretty ass. Support by the company sucks too. You can get good prints out of this printer, but you will spend 10-20 hours getting there. Also you are going to want to spend another $100 or so to get a octoprint running, and a bltouch leveling probe installed. The BLTouch firmware supplied by Ender never worked properly. I had to flash a custom marlin firmware I built. If you don't have octoprint you have to manually plug in a micro sd card with every file you want to print. The default prints look good. Getting it to work well with cura is kinda a pain. You will spend 5~ hours or so to get it in good shape. Take around an hour~ to build.

Make sure to print stuff like the filament wheel (that helps the filament feed), required a ball bearing. Also the tool holder is nice, as well as pi camera holder which you can integrate into octoprint so you can see your prints while they print without physically looking at the printer. If you are not technically inclined, go with another printer that works out of box. Some printers come fully assembled and already calibrated. If you don't have a programming background, 3d printing will be hard unless you are just printing something someone else has already created. Often things people have designed need to be modified to meet your needs.

TLDR: Good 3dprinter, bad firmware, takes time and effort, this printer is basically taking on a whole hobby just to get it working properly. If you want plug and play, this is not the printer for you.
Most of what you said I'd agree with, but you dont NEED an auto bed leveler if you learn to level the bed yourself, and octoprint may be useful down the line but isnt necessary. Noise is a common issue for this printer. The stock stepper drivers make it sound almost like a fax machine, but upgrading the mainboard will fix this (not cheap, but still ends up cheaper than almost any other machine). Fans are crap but replacements are relatively cheap. I got into it on their last deal just to pick up a useful hobby and I'm still amazed by its capabilities. But you should be prepared to troubleshoot problems and get frustrated occasionally too. In any case, with a bit of patience and curiosity, this is a SMOKIN deal!
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