Folger Tech FT-5 Review: A Large Scale 3D Printer Kit

Settling on one 3D printer is getting hard day by day. More advanced printers which retail at an affordable price are available in the market. After using a Folger Tech FT-5 for a few months, I am now comfortable giving my review. Stick around to find out if this 3D printer is worth your efforts.

Folger Tech FT-5 3D printer specifications

• Brand name: Folger FT-5
• Manufacturers: FolgerTech
• Size: 740× 500×540mm
• Print area: 12×12×15.75 inches
• Weight: 21kg
• Surface Material: 24V Aluminium
• Max bed temperature: 120°c
• Extruder max temperature: 245°c
• Controller: MKS Gen 1.4
• Resolution: 0.05mm
• Power: 480w 24V system CE rated power supply; Can handle110-220v
• Chassis: X/Y Linear Rail System; Dual X and Y motor for added speed and power.
• Printing speed: Excellent
• Technology: FDM
• Compatible material: • PLA; ABS; Nylon; HIPS; FLEX(Elastic TPE); Wood PLA; Ultem (PEI) 1010; Ultem (PEI) 9085; Rubber-like (TPU); PETG; Carbon Fibre; PEEK; Foaming PLA

About Folger Tech FT-5 3D Printer

I can assure you that this greatly designed 3D printer might be affordable. But, to make it work for me took more from me. This printer comes with a lot of fixable issues. What I mean is that the design is spectacular, it can be used for mass production of prints, and it is quite affordable.

However, if you give up on the first issue, it presents. You won’t enjoy the good sides. This is, however, based on my experience. We will start first with what I expected when buying this 3D printer based on the manufacturer’s specifications.

This 3D printer has amazing manufacturers’ specifications. However, your experience with the printer will determine how you relate to it. To help you further, I will give you some of the advantages and disadvantages of the Folger FT-5 3D printer.

Folger Tech FT-5 3D Printer Pros and Cons

In the few months I have used FT-5, I experienced some difficulties while still managing to produce quality prints.

Pros

• Large print size: you can create prints of your choice.
• Customizable.
• The printing speed is excellent.
• Can handle high printing temperatures
• High wattage bed for faster printing
• Updated idlers
• The extruder is more rigid

Cons

• The extruder cannot print at a constant rate
• Thin wires
• It takes too long for the bed’s wattage to get to 60°c
• I cannot print anything thinner than PLA

Related: Best 3d printer for flexible filament

As said earlier, all these issues are fixable. You will learn a lot about 3D printing when using this printer. However, you will spend almost twice as the price of the printer.

Folger Tech FT-5  Overview

Who created Folger FT-5?

Folger Tech FT-5 is an affordable large-scale 3D printer by Folger Tech LLC.

Folger Tech LLC is a 3D printing developer and manufacturer of low-cost 3D printers. They have quite a wide variety of 3D printers, each new printer coming with more advancements and advantages.

How is the physical appearance of FT-5?

Folger FT-5 is an open layout printer that comes with an amazing design. Its surface comprises a 24V aluminum material. This is an improvement from the previous 12V aluminum surface.

It has a large printing bed and an extruder motor rail that is more rigid than previous models; how the printer physically determines how it works.

How does FT-5 work?

This video will be helpful for the essential purpose. However, how this printer works might take you up to months. I do mean that it is hard to use. You can learn within one day how to control the printer. However, each issue you encounter will teach you more about this printer.

First, you will have to know how to set up the printer. All the tools and the components required to connect this printer are available on the kit.

You then need to install software and insert firmware on the printer, design prints, and start execution.

This video will guide you in detail, from unboxing to making your first print.

Is FT-5 worth the price?

We cannot debate if the printer is worth the price before knowing how every part of the printer is fair during printing. I am going to rate the printer’s performance based on my experience.

Folger Tech FT-5 Features

Design

Folger Tech FT-5 is designed to print even large prints. The extruder has some advancements that make it more rigid. It can therefore handle high printing temperatures. The only issue is that the hotbed takes a lot of time to get to 60°c.

Printing material

Although the manufacturers indicate that you can use a number of printing materials. Anything thinner than PLA cannot be printed using FT-5. You can buy Folger Tech’s Prusa i3 on eBay and their website.

Printing

Printing using FT-5 is not that complicated. You have to adjust the temperatures of the printing bed to around 120°c depending on the material you are using.

Unfortunately, the printer produces inconsistent prints after a certain amount of load. One advantage is learning how to adjust the temperatures and knowing when to stop printing before the prints become ugly.

Features

Although the printer comes with amazing features, most of the components might stop working as expected after a while. The print bed might overheat the printer, which could cause a fire. Learning this printer will save you a lot of frustrations.

Value addition

This is a bonus point. Although this printer comes with a number of issues, you can customize this printer to work for you. In the process, you will gain a lot of knowledge that might be beneficial when you advance to other printers.

Conclusion

Before buying cheap 3D printers, have in mind that you are subjecting yourself to inevitable frustrations. This review gives light on what to expect when buying a Folger Tech FT-5 printer.

You will need to learn how to adjust and change hardware when using this printer. Once you learn how to navigate this 3D printer, you can handle complicated printers.

I hope you have learned something.