So, I’m getting closer to doing this. At the money I’m willing to pay, I can get a kit that’s a cheap knockoff. Which I’m cool with, but it’s not what I really want.
On the other hand, I could build my own. Assuming I’m going that route, I’m currently looking at what to buy. Not counting the mechanicals yet, I need:
Stepper motors
Control board
Motor drivers
Hot end
I’m probably going to go with a Shapeoko or a Smoothie board as they both have the stuff I want. I think. I only just thought about a second look at the Shapeoko while showering. Open hardware, software, and extensibility ate the key.
That’ll put me back 100 to 150. Throw on a minimum of 3 stepper motors, and a hotend, and I’m rocking close to 200.
Plans.