Level of Printer (not the bed)

[theKen Member Find all posts View Profile Close theKen]

I'm getting ready to purchase my first 3D printer (End 3 V2). I've watched a ton of videos on the importance of "leveling the bed". I've never heard anyone mention the level of the actual machine. Is this important? The worktable I'm putting it on isn't very level and I'm wondering if this may be an issue when printing.

Thanks in advance!
Ken

[Ender5r Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ender5r]

I would try to get the worktable as level as you can, but you are correct in putting "leveling the bed" in quotes. It really is not truly making the bed level -- it's about making the distance between the nozzle and printbed as equal as possible at all points of the bed.

However, if the worktable is really unlevel, you might run into a situation where gravity puts sideways strain on your prints. So, for example, a tall, thin print might have more of a tendency to fall over.

[theKen Member Find all posts View Profile Close theKen]

That makes sense. Thanks!

It really should be called paralleling the bed. Because you're making the bed parallel to the X & Y axis' of the machine.

[Ender5r Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ender5r]

Like many other English words, level has multiple definitions. People talk about leveling with each other, or competing on a level playing field for example. Perhaps we can coin a new term: 3D printbed leveling. I know what you mean though: there was a person who posted on this forum who asked what they were doing wrong because they had used a carpenter's level to get the printbed as level as possible, but their prints failed. Once forum members explained what 3D printbed leveling really is, things went better.

[Geit Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Geit]

Unless the table surface is angled 30* and at least relative even, so it does not start tipping left to right, when the print head moves, it simply does not matter. People made printer backpacks printing, when walking down the street and riding the subway.

[LoneTech New Member Find all posts View Profile Close LoneTech]

It really does not matter. Only things that droop will care. That's for common FFF/FDM printing; SLS shouldn't go past the angle of repose for the powder, SLA has liquids involved, etc.

[Ender5r Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ender5r]

hmmm would like to see a tall spire printed sideways/