JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 3D Printer Review Results
Budget Prusa i3 clones are a dime a dozen, and the JGAURORA A-3 is just one of them. Does this 3D printer have what it takes to stand apart in the crowd? Today's JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 review explores the merits of this low-priced machine so you can make an informed decision.
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Printing Speed
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Build Size
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Precision
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Value
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Design
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User Experience
JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 3D Printer Review Basics
This DIY Prusa i3 kit was made for tinkerers in mind, coming to your door in its composite pieces. Only the extruder block is assembled, and it takes about 8 hours to construct. Once built, the JGAURORA A-3 feature above average specs for its price. The all-metal body includes the sizable 7.8×7.8×7-inch aluminum printing bed.
The bed is heated, meaning you can use ABS and other filaments up to 250C. That is, if you don’t mind possible warping due to the the open print area.
Print resolution is adjustable between 100-300 microns, and the printer comes with a .4mm nozzle. Although max printing speed is a little slow around 100mm/s, it ensures better print quality. Out of the box, this 3D printer is surprisingly accurate with layers only visible upon close inspection.
You may only upload your prints to this 3D printer through an SD card. Thankfully, the company sends an 8GB SD card with the kit, but more connectivity options are always better.
JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 3D Printer Review Pros
Value
The JGAURORA A-3 isn’t the cheapest DIY 3D printing kit, but it absolutely represents one of the best values. Sure, you could save $100 or so with another model, but this 3D printer comes complete with quality components, a durable full-metal body, and prints incredibly well without modification. When it is time to mod, there are plenty of printable upgrades available that won’t break the bank either.
Great Customer Service
This 3D printing kit is complicated, and even experienced users may find themselves stumped when assembling this machine. Of course, some parts may also need to be replaced since they haven’t been tested before shipping. That’s why JGAURORA’S fast, friendly, and knowledgeable customer service is so great. They’re happy to guide you through the more frustrating parts of assembly, and usually send out new replacement parts free of charge.
JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 3D Printer Review Cons
Unclear Instructions
People buy DIY kits because they want a challenge, not a headache. Unfortunately, despite the trove of content made available to users via both the included 8GB SD card and online video library, some building instructions are unclear or even missing. Considering how little of this 3D printer is pre-assembled, beginners will have have a steep learning curve during construction.
Unstable Gantry
With a steel and aluminum frame, you’d expect the JGAURORA A-3 to be a sturdier machine. Poor seating causes the gantry to shake independently of the printer base, however. The resulting motion threatens to cause uneven layering and waves in your prints. Remarkably, print quality still exceeds expectation, suffering the most with thin edges.
JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 3D Printer Review Verdict
Even though it’s marketed to beginners, it’s difficult to recommend this 3D printer to absolute novices. Building this machine from scratch can be grueling, even with all the included instruction. That said, once it’s complete, the JGAURORA A-3 Prusa i3 is a solid 3D printer with a lot of potential.
If you like to work with your hands, build from scratch, and tinker with aftermarket upgrades, this printer won’t disappoint with its heavy construction and quality prints.