Creality Ender 3 Pro or Sovol SV01?

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

I have read the earlier thread on printer choice, watched videos etc. Seems a choice between Ender 3 Pro and Sovol SVO1. Does anyone have any advice to offer, apart from what was said in the older thread?

The Ender 3 has a much wider user base, and very good reviews, but the Sovol has a higher spec. The Sovol seems not widely available.The problem is that I am totally new to this, although I use mach 3 on a Triac and UCCNC on a Stepcraft router.

Anyone used Reprap World as a supplier? Technology Outlet UK?

Thanks!

Richard

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

I have both of these printers. Both print well. The Sovol is my favorite though, the print area is larger but the footprint is about the same. It's neater construction with the power supply under the bed. If you go for the optional silent board the Sovol is much quieter, you only here the noise of the fans. I like the glass bed on the Sovol, prints stick well and lift straight off when cool. Sovol use Creality motherboard and hardware, all parts easily available for both printers. There is a SV03 out soon which is larger and has auto bed levelling.

I have one of these too for review it will replace my SV01.

I have videos on these printers but forum rules forbid me from linking!

Edited By Engine Builder on 28/10/2020 11:14:19

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

Thank you EB. A decision has been made: I have ordered a Sovol.

Richard

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

MB said “it will replace my SV01”

One never knows – but that may be a hint? It may have been a better option, if available, as it has been modified/improved.

Edited By not done it yet on 29/10/2020 13:07:55

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

Nothing wrong with the SV01 but I need the the space

SV01 has all the features of SV03 except auto bed leveling, larger build area and silent board as standard.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by Engine Builder on 29/10/2020 13:29:19:

Nothing wrong with the SV01 but I need the the space

SV01 has all the features of SV03 except auto bed leveling, larger build area and silent board as standard.

Ah! So it was a hint? I suppose the OP could cancel his order if the logistics and price was right?

I don’t need one – I already have one. Not an expert like you, but it simply worked out of the box with just an hour or so of assembly (not like the jigsaw puzzle of the ender-3).🙂

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Sounds like you've already read my previous comments on my SV-01 then Richard.

I've nothing to compare it with, so cannot do that – but it was very easy to put together (20-30mins if I did it again) and I've had no problems with it since.

I started off thinking of the Sovol (and 3D printing generally) as being something that was a bit unpredictable and that would probably need a lot of experimenting and fiddling with. Now I'm beginning to view the Sovol (and 3D print) as just another 'tool in the box' that simply works when I want it to. Which is exactly what I need, no fuss.

Regards,

IanT

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

Hi Ian,

Yes, I read your comments and watched a few videos and so on, and it was on Amazon at a reasonable price. Looking forward to getting to grips with it- I have a specific project needing some printed parts.

Cheers

Richard

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

The printer turned up a few days ago, and I must say I'm very impressed. It's actually quite easy to use although the very poor instructions supplied were anything but clear to a first time user. Good build quality.

One question: Auto Home moves the head to a position indicated as X0Y0Z-3. The nozzle is in the correct position just above the glass surface. I then need to press the offset option to get Z0 before I start a print. What's going on here?

Richard

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

Just ignore the Z setting on the display. Do an auto home with paper under the nozzle, disable steppers and level the corners. Select the file to print and away you go.

[Richard Evans 2Participant @richardevans2]

Yes, I did the paper thing and leveled the bed. Prints are turning out very well. But if I don't apply the offset, it starts to print at Z0 which is actually 3mm above the bed.So why is the reading z-3 when in the Home position? That's a consistent, exact figure.

(This doesn't really matter much because Apply Offset sorts out the problem. But I'd like to know!)

R

[Engine BuilderParticipant @enginebuilder]

Don't know the answer,mine does read zero on all axis. Have you tried Control> Store settings, when axis is displaying zero?

[IanTParticipant @iant]

Richard,

I'm afraid I can't remember in detail everything I did back in the early days of my Sovol.

I did have a few issues with bed adhesion and filament jamming but much of this was really my own inexperience (not getting the bed level right when checking it!)

I tried all the recommended things to solve the bed adhesion issue (Pritt Stick, Blue Tape etc) and just managed to make a mess of the bed. The heated bed does need to be well cleaned (whilst cold – I use solvent) – and then NOT touched (e.g. no fingerprints etc). But that's all the Solvol needs apart from careful bed levelling (and the correct material settings in Cura).

Out of the box, I'd managed to print the XYZ cube test print quite nicely but then somehow seemed to lose my way a bit (hence the Pritt sticks etc). It finally dawned on me to check the Cura settings, Sovol themselves had used on the 'XYZ' test print and use them with the filament supplied. Bingo, everything worked perfectly again.

The other problem was filament getting jammed in the extruder between prints. Sovol have a YouTube that explains how to clear this problem if it occurs and as usefully (prevention being a better strategy) some G-code to fully withdraw the filament at the print end.

Sovol 'Extruder' YouTube

You can see the recommended G-Code fix at 2:20mins.

Stick with it and I'm sure you will not have too many problems once you get used to things.

Regards,

IanT

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Hi All,

FWIW I have had my Ender 3 Pro for almost a year now and without a word of a lie it has been flat out day and night for about 75% of that time, one reel of filament after another churning out lathe spiders and other small items.

Has paid for itself about 4 times over and then some!

Only one breakdown which was a blockage so put on a new nozzle and tubing and straight back to work.

It is a tad noisy so have to shut the office door at night as the War Office is a light sleeper!

May well get another one in the New Year so will probably stick to Creality.

Regards, Martin

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