I am with you, I can never leave well enough alone. That is the reason I picked this one, it can be played with. It is also why I purchased a second one so I can refurbish my first one.
1 Like
Geeetech responded last night to my Amazon message. They said to send pics and they would replace the the bad part. I am glad to see they support their product. This was one of the reasons I went this route.
2 Likes
For stepsticks? I would only get trinamic. After experiencing them, I don’t want to go back to anything else.
1 Like
For higher torque applications where you would have to run the TMC drivers in spread cycle vs stealth chop, the lv8729 can be a good option. They are not as quiet as TMC, and Vref is manual via a trimpot. On my Eustathios I damaged my TMC 5160 doing something stupid while wiring so I did a temporary replacement with the LV8729. But they’ve printed so well and my printer runs in the garage anyway So noisy isn’t a problem. I haven’t bothered switching them.
But I agree if you look at the 2209 or 5160 they are better all around choice.
3 Likes
Checking out the options, the MB supports the TMC2208 drivers. The 2209 handle more current and have UART mode but cannot find out if they are backwards compatible. Also an attractive option is to swap out the motherboard with the one Eric linked to above. I think I will swap the driver’s first and then look for a replacement motherboard.
EDIT
I think I found my answer here. Just go with the 2208.
https://www.th3dstudio.com/2019/12/11/ezboard-lite-why-do-you-use-the-tmc-2208-instead-of-tmc-2209-drivers/#:~:text=They%20both%20are%20running%20StealthChop,A%20(2.8A%20Peak).
Note that the MB that @Eclsnowman linked to has the drivers on the board, not on stepsticks, so buying 2208s isn’t a step on the way to using that board. On-board stepper drivers is really a good idea for heat management overall; the drivers were never meant for stepsticks in the first place and so they are more reliable on the board where there’s a lot more surface area to help dissipate heat.
Just don’t run the mechanism by hand quickly; stepper motors are generators and you’ll cook the drivers if you do that, and when they are on the board it’s harder to replace them.
1 Like
Thanks for the input. I ordered some 2208 drivers and like I said, I am still doing homework on a replacement motherboard. I would definitely like to find one that does not have the drivers soldered in place. I’m all about choice.
To have modular drivers the best bang for your buck out there right now is the SKR v1.4 turbo or SKR pro. And for a higher quality board with most all the same features it’s the Azteeg X5 GT. That is if you want to stay on Marlin. I would say the SKR has the most community momentum right now.
1 Like
My 2208 drivers arrived yesterday. I only ordered 2, 1 each for x and y. Imagine my surprise when I opened the package and saw 4 stepper drivers. I checked the box and it said 2 but it contained 4. I am off tomorrow and plan to make the change.
2 Likes
In the excitement of installing my new drivers, I forgot to mark the y axis to make sure I put it back to square. It had come pre-assembled. I did the best I could and fired the printer up. What a noticeable difference! There is hardly any noise and the test print looks more consistent than it did before.
Two things that I noticed to be interesting after the installation. Even before I updated the firmware to be complied for the 2208 drivers, it automatically enabled the soft stops. The current limiting was also automatically set.
I will know how bad or good the y square is after I try a larger print. Off to the next mod!
Thanks again for all the great input!
2 Likes
I have to say the customer service for Geeetech is top notch. They sent the parts, screws and knobs to replace the bent ones. For the dollar or two for the total parts, they kept in touch and then made sure I received the package. I am sure all their profit on this sale is gone but they sure have my future business!
3 Likes
This was my first long print. The base took over 4 hours. The filament took a bit to dial in. It is Melca brand which I purchased about a year ago. I do not see it much anymore. It takes more heat for a consistent print. I am running 220 C without any stringing. I have also upped the bed heater to 70 C without any sagging. It is some tough stuff! The bottom shows why I only print on glass. I hand leveled the bed so I see where I need a slight adjustment.
2 Likes
Nice stargate. 
1 Like
6 posts were split to a new topic: Interposer to safely move stepper motors without frying stepper drivers
So apparently I’m getting my first 3D printer for Christmas. 
It will be one of these Geeetech A10 s. Still liking yours @HalfNormal? Which TMC2208 drivers did you order?
If there’s anything about the printer that you don’t like, let me know… I probably have a spare of one of them in some form of upgrade. The problems and benefits of being a technology hoarder, and perpetual 3D printer upgrader 
2 Likes
Wow, thanks for the offer. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind
1 Like
Still loving it. Made a bunch of snowflakes for a friend without incident. If you do get one, cut a piece of glass to go on the bed and hold it down with clips. It’s a lot easier to get the parts off. I use stick glue to make part stick to the glass.
I purchased the Geeetech TMC2208 drivers on Amazon but I do not see them now. I would suggest purchasing a name brand for better quality.
1 Like
I have an Orion CNC Delta printer. Bought it when they first came out (cost a fortune!).
Anyway, it has a glass bed - I only ever print ABS. Through the years I’ve tried plenty of things to help adhesion, glue stick, water / sugar mixture (you get LOADS of ants with that!), blue tape etc.
My goto solution is to cover the glass with capton tape, and give it a light rub between prints with fine sandpaper.
Works evertime, I’ve done that for years.
2 Likes