Replicator 1 Dual
Disclaimer: MakerBot has not compensated me for this review in any way. I purchased this printer with my own money.
The Bottom Line – 8/10
The Replicator 1 Dual was revolutionary when it came out and it is still a fantastic printer. It (or it’s clones) can still be found quite inexpensively online. The build volume is a little small by current state of the art, but it is still sufficient for many projects. For the price, you get dual material capabilities and a very rigid build quality. Additionally, because these printers were so popular and have been around for a long time, replacement parts are inexpensive and easy to find. The only negative aspects of this printer are the noise and uncertain future for the slicing software.
Print Quality
The print quality of the Replicator 1 Dual is excellent, as long as you don’t mind a leisurely print speed of <40 mm/s. I usually push that up to 60 mm/s, but the quality is certainly affected. The dual head of the printer moves on a dual rail x-axis with the motor attached. This makes the print head (and printer) wobble violently at very high accelerations and print speeds. The dimensional stability of the prints is not generally affected, but it does show up as ringing on the surface. Stringing, bridging, and all the other fun 3D printer quality issues can be nearly eliminated with extensive tuning, but it will take a while. The one print artifact which I have been unable to eliminate (at an acceptable print speed) is ringing after text or very sharp corners. This is due to the exceptionally heavy print head assembly, and really cant be avoided with this design.
Software
MakerBot has been through 3 different slicers since introducing the Replicator 1, and unfortunately this particular printer is no longer supported by MakerBot. However, the numerous clones for the Replicator 1 have produced clones of the slicing software as well, like FlashPrint by FlashForge. It is likely that you’ll be able to slice files for this printer using FlashPrint for several more years.
Hardware
I find the build quality and hardware of the Replicator 1 very sturdy, and well though out. The belt tensioning is easy, the dual y-axis rails are linked together, and the Z leadscrew is pretty stable. I like this design much better than the bedslinger variety printers, in the style of Prusa and RepRap. It feels more solid, the printer has a well defined footprint and is easy to make an enclosure or modifications. Lights, fans, heated build volume – no problem. The lasercut plywood gives it a bit of a low-cost and dated look compared to modern printers, but it does the job better than aluminum extrusions.
Final Thoughts
If it isn’t very clear by this point, the Replicator 1 has a special place in my heart. It was my first printer, and still one of my favorites all these years later. The rock solid design, not to mention the fact that it still works after a decade (and thousands of meters of filament), earns it a high grade for me.
Replicator 2
Disclaimer: MakerBot has not compensated me for this review in any way. I do not personally own this printer, but I have had extensive experience with several different units.
The Bottom Line – 5/10
The Replicator 2 gets a few points knocked off from it’s predecessor for a number of reasons. First, the lack of a heated build plate severely limits the choice of materials for the printer, restricted to PLA. The bizarre choice of acrylic for the bed material makes it difficult to remove prints without damaging the build surface. The Replicator 2 closed-source design means that not many clones exist, and replacement parts are harder to come by. Some third party slicers may still work, but Makerbot Print has officially phased out ongoing support for the Replicator 2 and it is unclear how long older software versions will be available. The build volume is a little small by current standards, but it is still sufficient for many projects.
Print Quality
The print quality of the Replicator 2 is excellent, and it works pretty much out of the box. The printer works, slowly but surely, for as long as you keep it supplied with filament. In 4 years of printing at least 12 hours every day, I think 1 part needed to be replaced. The single head of the printer means you have a little less ringing than the Replicator 1, but it’s still a direct drive extruder and X-axis stepper, so ringing will forever be an issue. The dimensional stability of the prints is good, right out of the box. Stringing, bridging, and all the other fun 3D printer quality issues work well with the default profiles, and will never be an issue if you don’t stay from them. If you do, I hope you like tuning.
Software
MakerBot has been through 3 different slicers since introducing the Replicator 2, and unfortunately it is due to meet the same fate as the Replicator 1 soon. However, you can still use an official slicer from MakerBot for the time being.
Hardware
I find the build quality and hardware of the Replicator 2 to be very comparable to the Replicator 1, but with a sleeker and more polished feel. The only downside is the lower ease of modification. The polished features make DIY solutions look cheap and haphazard.
Final Thoughts
Without a dual extruder and heated bed, this printer has not aged as well as it’s younger brother. It’s reliability is excellent, but without the ability to use advanced materials and methods, it has lost it’s place at the forefront of 3D printing.