Creality Ender3 Dressup Kit

As the title would suggest, this kit has little value aside from aesthetics.  The intent of this kit is to add a splash of color to an otherwise dull and unattractive Creality Ender3 Pro.

The only practical uses I can think of for this kit are that the v-slot covers will prevent stray wisps of plastic from accumulating in the lower extrusions, and, as I have a preference for printing on bare glass, printing the v-slot covers, especially the longer ones, are a really good indicator as to how well an ABL system is working with a severely misshapen bed, as is the case for my Ender3.

Where the v-slot covers are concerned, there are several files who's names indicate their unscaled printed length.  Everything in this kit is intended to be printed on the Ender3, so any covers that won't fit the build plate of the Ender3 are ½ length.  For example, the top cross-member of the Ender3 measures 330mm.  The files intended for that extrusion, “V-Slot_Cover_165mm.stl” and “V-Slot_Cover_SH_165mm.stl” each measure 165mm.  The reason for two files with covers measuring 165mm is that the very top of that cross-member has 4 screw-holes for the M5 hardware connecting it to the 20x40 vertical pillars.  The “SH” in the latter of the two files, if you haven't guessed, stands for “screw holes”.  That particular file has a dual purpose as it's used on the outsides of the horizontal 40x40 base extrusions, and is the only example where I didn't split the difference on a long extrusion, it's counterpart is 125mm, which also has a dual purpose as it will work on the insides of those same two horizontal 40x40 extrusions.

There are multiple 20x20 endcaps included in this package simply to keep them all together, however, the Ender3 uses only two 20x20 endcaps.  The 20x20 endcaps for the Ender3 are on either side of the top cross-member.  For my build of the Ender3 I use the endcap titled “20x20_Endcap_2S.stl”.  I choose that endcap as it can be installed solidly when oriented with the v-slot inserts down and to the rear without interfering with my v-slot covers.

Where the 40x40 endcaps are concerned, I'm using “40x40_Endcap_Base.stl” on both sides in the front, and “40x40_Endcap_Screwless_Base.stl” for those same extrusions on the rear of the printer.  Most Ender3 configurations will not have an open ended 40x40 extrusion in the front since the Ender3 display enclosure covers the extrusion on the right while the electronics enclosure covers the extrusion on the left.  I mounted my display in a printed enclosure on the left, leaving the right side extrusion open, so that's why I installed those front covers.  If you're happy with the looks of your Ender3 simply having the powder coated steel parts don't print the “40x40_Endcap_Base.stl”.  If you've got one side or the other open for whatever reason, the file is here for you.  If you want to color match the v-slot covers on the front of those extrusions for a stock setup, you can install that cover on either side atop the powder coated parts for appearance sake.

Back to the v-slot covers…  This should go without saying, yet here it is:  Do NOT install any of these v-slot covers where the pom wheels travel.  I'll also note that none of the lengths on these covers take into account any customization's you've made, attachments etc.  If you don't feel like remodeling any of these pieces to fit your machine customization's, you could print a slot cover that's just a bit longer than the opening you'd like to cover, and trim it down with flush cutters.

Lastly, when it comes to 3D printers, I'm in somewhat of a bubble.  When it comes to Creality machines, this is my first out of 8 machines.  While a few of them are clones of Creality made machines and most of my machines have Creality parts, this Ender3 Pro is my first genuine Creality machine.  Adding to my ignorance of the most popular budget 3D printer on the market is that I didn't buy an Ender3, but rather a box of banged up parts missing most of the fasteners.  I bought it because it was dirt cheap and I thought it would be fun to resurrect a machine that might otherwise find itself in a landfill.  I paid a few dollars more for the “Pro” version after comparing photo's of the Pro and standard Ender3.  It was the difference of a 20x40 and a 40x40 Y axis extrusion that compelled me to purchase the Ender3 Pro over the Ender3.  That said, the handful of other minor differences in the two machines should not prevent somebody from using this kit on a standard Ender3.  I believe one would just print fewer covers for the Y axis extrusion.  If I'm mistaken, and somebody would correct me, PLEASE leave a comment and set me straight so I can make adjustments to this kit.