<p>I'm considering buying <a href="http://reprapworld.com/?products_details&amp;products_id/783/cPath/1680">this package</a>, the Kossel, as my first 3D printer.  </p>

<p>It's not the cheapest model, but apparently a high resolution and stable, which is what I'm after.</p>

<p>The question is, what is the life expectancy of this printer, given the component list?
Assuming the printer is constructed properly and properly taken care of, but used once or twice a week for several hours.</p>

<p>Is it possible to make an estimate of how many years this particular printer could be used before it starts showing signs of wear? </p>

<p><strong>Parts list:</strong></p>

<p>1x Complete set of platics for Kossel Mini (PLA)<br>
1x Kossel mini Extrusion set<br>
1x traxxas (set of 12)<br>
1x Carbon Tube (kossel printing arms) Set of 6<br>
3x Square slider (40cm)<br>
1x Megatronics v3.0 - Kossel kit<br>
1x Heated Bed glass round 17cm diameter (Borosilicate)<br>
1x Kapton heater mat round 16cm diameter<br>
1x Power supply 12V (240/115V / 20A MAX)<br>
3x Aluminum Pulley GT2<br>
5x Timing belt 1m x 6mm (GT2)<br>
1x E3D v6 - HotEnd Full Kit - 1.75mm<br>
1x Hobbed bolt v1.1<br>
1x Brass drive gear (Wade's compatible)<br>
6x Bearing 623ZZ<br>
125x (1 pcs) Screw M3X8 Philips<br>
125x (1 pcs) Washer M3 normal<br>
125x (1 pcs) Nut M3 normal<br>
6x (1 pcs) Screw M3X16 Philips<br>
12x (1 pcs) Screw M3X25 Philips<br>
6x (1 pcs) Screw M3X20 Philips<br>
10x PTFE tubing, 2inner/4outer diameter (10cm)<br>
1x Bowden setup - J head comp. plug set (1.75mm)<br>
1x E3D v6 - Threaded Bowden Coupling - 1.75mm<br>
2x (1 pcs) Screw M3X40 Philips<br>
6x (1 pcs) Screw M2X16 Philips<br>
1x Power cable 1.8m<br>
6x M4 Threaded rod - Custom length  </p>

[{'answer_id': 235, 'author': 'Matt Clark', 'author_id': 47, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/47', 'pm_score': 3, 'selected': False, 'text': "<p>Much like your car, the number of miles, or the number of prints that you can get out of it is entirely up to how well <strong>you</strong> can maintain it.</p>\n\n<p>A 3D Printer is a machine, and a machine needs general maintenance; if you see something starting to break - or get worn out - or anything abnormal, fix it.</p>\n\n<p>I am sure that if you had something like a MakerBot, it would require less maintenance then a fully home built machine, but if you are building it from scratch, I am sure you don't mind.</p>\n\n<p>I am still rocking a 3 year old home built MendalMax, and have both made some improvements, and had to make some repairs along the way - but it is still in damn good condition.</p>\n\n<p>For a $600 investment, I can say you will get a few years out of it if you take proper care of it. By the time the end of its life comes (5+ years), I am sure there will be much better printers available for cheaper, and you will never look back :)</p>\n\n<ul>\n<li>Tighten all your nuts and bolts</li>\n<li>Keep it calibrated</li>\n<li>Keep belts properly tensioned</li>\n<li>Oil X, Y, and Z rods</li>\n<li>Clean of any dust and scrap plastic (compressed air can?)</li>\n<li>Clean hobbed bolt</li>\n<li>Clean extruder</li>\n<li>Ensure all electronic connections are secure</li>\n<li>Check wires at points of movement for wear</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>!remindme 5years</p>\n"}, {'answer_id': 308, 'author': 'Dimitri Modderman', 'author_id': 264, 'author_profile': 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/264', 'pm_score': 1, 'selected': False, 'text': "<p>I have built a Kossel too. Got lots of tips from the Google Deltaprinter group.\nMost important when using the Traxxas rod ends is to have the metal parts go into the freezer and the plastic parts in warm water(not boiling, just 60 degrees celsius or so). Then put the 2 together, due to the fact the metal crimps just a little and the hot water softens the plastic a bit, they will fit easy and will be stiff longer. These mounts tend to wear out causing play in the effector. I have printed 100's of hours on my Kossel mini with traxxas rods and still moves very nice and prints accurately.</p>\n"}]
['https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/questions/208', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com', 'https://3dprinting.stackexchange.com/users/65/']