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The -only- complaint I have is that the instruction manual is way too empty. There are so many things to research about resin printing or 3D printing in general. Here's the best "general help guide" I can give.
1. You're going to want to print more things than just the Rook file on the thumb drive. You'll need to use software to do so. There are programs on the drive, I personally prefer Lychee Slicer. It crashes way less (almost never), the options are much easier to understand... I think it's just all around better. Look up Youtube guides on how to use this software. They will help IMMENSELY because the instructions don't say so but knowing how to use the software is CRUCIAL to having solid prints.
2. Your prints will fail. It is okay. When they do, clean everything up. Strain your resin (as long as it hasn't been contaminated with rubbing alcohol or any water, etc) through a mesh strainer to get rid of ANY hard/cured bits. I personally would strain it into an empty bottle or something but I put mine back in the OG bottle because I didn't know what was and wasn't safe for liquid resin lol. But just remove the cured bits out of the resin vat, gently pop off the cured bits on the FEP (clear plastic screen at the bottom of the vat) and REALLY try not to scratch/dent that up. Remove anything from your build plate, clean up with some IPA 99% if you want (I do because I like to just make sure everything is clean and ready to go like new to avoid gunk building up) and go back to the software to review your structures.
Also there are a TON of groups online of people who support each other and share tips on printing. Facebook/Reddit/Discord/Telegram etc. Look them up!
You do NOT have to level your build plate after the first time leveling it unless you get a failed print, then you may want to.
The instructions say to use a "card" to level the build plate - just put a piece of paper between the plate and the LCD screen and press down on it "firmly" (don't hulk smash it, just hold it down like you're trying to keep the paper from flying away) and then tighten the screws. Zero it, lift it, put the vat it, hit Home -
IF IT MAKES A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE WHEN GOING DOWN AND WONT ZERO OUT - the plate is super uneven and trying to force its way down another fraction of a mm and can't because one of the corners is likely super uneven. Just do the level once. The piece of paper is there to see if it's not super uneven, you don't have to worry about perfect spacing. As long as the plate sortof grips the paper while you pull away, that's fine.
That crunching noise or popping noise when the plate is coming up? That's totally fine. It's actually good - it means your resin is being pulled off of the FEP, so listen for that beautiful fffffffpop noise <3
3. Wanna know how your print is doing? Just pause the print. It'll raise the build plate all the way up and you'll be able to check the status. Wanna resume? Hit the play button. Just try not to keep it from doing its thing for too long, especially in an area where the resin might be in danger of curing (though I'd keep the machine out of the sun at all costs tbh)
Also - you can hollow out prints to save resin, time, money, and weight. It's frustrating at first because you'll learn about suction cups and drain holes. Holy cow, they're annoying to figure out lol. This is why I like Lychee's slicer the best - the drain holes are awesome and there are even "objects" you can put into the mesh of your STL to prevent hollowing and to plug holes. They're called "blockers" and work great.
I hope this helps. Overall, I think the print quality of this machine is stellar. As good as any WotC mini I've bought at the store. It's satisfying to use, though the frustration behind the very vague manual is there. That's the worst part, in my opinion. Although, Elegoo, I have experience with technical support, troubleshooting, and customer service support. I'd be happy to help you write something a little more in-depth that might help you avoid returns and refunds. Just a thought!
TL;DR:
The Elegoo Mars 4 resin 3D printer is a great tool that prints high quality miniatures, model kits, and other objects with the added bonus of potential profitability. While the instruction manual lacks depth, personal tips include exploring software like Lychee Slicer, managing print failures effectively, simplifying build plate maintenance, monitoring print progress, and utilizing advanced techniques for efficiency. Despite manual frustrations, the printer's superb print quality makes it a worthy investment for hobbyists and professionals alike.
