I am not trying to sell you on a solidoodle as I stand to make nothing by doing so. Here is what I liked about it and what I dont like about it.

Price tag was $600 when the school bought it.

Build chamber is enclosed or can be easily opened.

Heated build plate. Can print ABS which I recommend for strength, weight and workability after the print is complete.

the x and y axis on the build plate do not move. Think about the fact that you are changing the properties of the printer as the print goes on. If the x or y axis on the build plate moves it seems to me that the printer would lose some of its consistency.

Prints using anyones filament and not special filament.

It is really pretty quiet unless it needs grease.

3 point leveling system which is very easy to level

What I don't like the print head is entry level but can be changed with some available mods. The print head isn't bad and has worked through 7 KG of abs so far but, I am sure I would change it out in time.

There is a fan at the extruder but no fan at the hotend which I would prefer for overhangs and bridges. One can be added through a mod.

I wish there were a way to control the printer from a screen on the printer with an SD card reader. You can add one but not this and the fan mentioned above.

The build plate was warped causing me to have to spend about a dollar for a piece of glass to make a level build plate.

Thats all I can think of right now. For what the school paid for it, I thought that I would really dislike this printer but I am really impressed with what it is.

Yes, making the parts from aluminum would be the way to go. These parts are bolted to the frame. I would look for the replacement parts that have the bearing in them if I were to do it in aluminum. You may have to shorten the belts a bit if you go with those but it isn't hard to do at all.

@ dbeard Hello, I am looking at buying an inexpensive printer to learn on, and would upgrade it as time goes on. My goal is to not have to constantly work on the machine, but also upgrade it as needed. I think the Solidoodle 4 is a bit more durable and upgradeable and will better meet my needs for now. Next I will see if any good deals will come my way. Ron

Has anyone used TINKERCAD ? Any other free or good instructional software available to learn on without having a printer? I just want to look, play and learn before I commit to buying the printer and machine software. Ron

@Andy Roid AutoDesk 123D DESIGN

@Aerius Thanks, I will look at it.. Ron

@debeard or anyone have any info, or comments about the XYZ DaVinci 3D Printer? Ron

I think solidoodle has fixed most of their issues. Their billing and shipping leaves some things to be desired though. The solidoodle 4 isn't a bad printer. There are some upgrades that I have done to the one I have but I do that anyway. I would say that I have about $800 tied up in mine. It prints as well as the makerbot 2 and 2x that are at the maker group I'm a member of.

I print at 100 microns without any problem. The printer is about 3 months old and has been printing almost nonstop. I have documented the issues that I have had in this thread. All easilly fixed. Also fxrtst has one that he has had for a couple of years. He has stated that he is happy with his. I would strongly recommend simplify3d for any printer. It makes printing very simple and is loaded with features that you would need multiple freeware packages to get. It is awfully nice having everything in one piece of software.

The smallest solidoodle has an 8x8x8 build volume which really is more like a 7.9x7.9x7.9 build volume after adding the glass and clips to hold the glass in place.