Hi!
I'm rebuilding a late-model cupcake for fablab Boston. It has had some parts stolen, and I'm looking for advice on what route to go.
The two issues are that the motherboard has been stolen and it has a mk4 extruder. I know that the simplest thing to do would be to buy a new motherboard but the direct replacement (1.2) seems to be perennially out of stock.
Then we get to the fact that it still has a mk4 extruder. Since this will be used to teach kids how to print and do 3d design, I would really prefer if it had a bulletproof hot end. I think that generally means stepper-based, either mk6, mk7, or a wades style printed one.
sooooo…
Option 1_ I can get a motherboard v2.4, stepstruder mk7 complete kit, and an arduino mega 2560 for $85+$229+$65+=$379
Option 2_I can get a motherboard v2.4, another stepper driver, a stepper motor, arduino mega 2560 and some printed wades extruder parts for $85+$92+$65+free=$242
Option 3_ I can just get the motherboard v2.4 and an arduino and fight with the old dc extruder for $85+$65=$150
Option 4_ I can get a full reprap-style ramps board from reprapworld.com with stepper drivers , an arduino mega, a stepper motor and printed parts for a wades extruder $130+$16+free=$146
Am I missing any better options? I'm leaning towards option 4 currently, but I could be persuaded. Am I correct in assuming that I can't use repg on a RAMPS setup? That would basically be a full reprap toolchain conversion.
Thanks for any help anyone can provide. I really appreciate it.
_Ross
