MGN12 Linear Rail Precision Motion Kit for Creality Ender 3

Let me first state that the linear rail kit itself is superb, and works wonderfully on my old E3Pro. But, that's not why I'm here. Anyone can write a review of a product, but not many can write an honest review of the company behind it. This is that review.

I started by ordering the MGN12 kit a few weeks ago, as I had a worn spot on my Y-axis V extrusion and needed a more reliable solution. I'd heard and read great things about Gulf Coast Robotics online and from other makers, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Alas, from the getgo there were a few hiccups, first with shipping, then with missing screws. Now before you assume this is a review lambasting the company, let me assure you it's not. Quite the opposite.

From the very outset, Brett at the crew at GCR have been exemplary in their customer service. First with the shipping issue, in which Brett generously refunded the shipping cost, and later with the missing screws. Each time I emailed him, I didn't have to wait days for some boilerplate, excuse-laden canned reply. No, Brett was first and foremost a complete gentleman who went out of his way to make things right. He didn't sugarcoat things. He didn't make excuses. And he didn't deflect when so many other companies might. I completely understood the issues and how the pandemic has affected so many industries, theirs included. Even when all I was seeking and expecting were the parts required, Brett one-upped that expectation and included a freebie that put a smile on my face. Needless to say, they have a very happy, future repeat customer. Not because of what they did, but because of who they are: A company who actually gives a s**t when so many others, quite frankly, don't.

It's easy to put words to page disparaging a company when things go wrong, but it's even easier to congratulate a company who actually cares about you as a customer, even with the occasional misstep. This isn't a review about a company. This is a review about the wonderful people at Gulf Coast Robotics who, even during the worst of times, put their hearts and souls into their products, their service and their company as a whole. Thank you Brett and the crew at GCR. You've made a customer for life, and a friend.

I added the dual rail complete kit to my Ender 3 Pro. Installation was straight forward and about 30 minutes. As it was the full kit I also upgraded my bed to 3 point leveling at the same time. Two small items to watch out for. The first time I tried homing the machine the Y axis did not hit the limit switch. I had to move the limit switch forward about 5 mm to get the extended portion of the slide to bed adapter to trip the limit switch. If I had know to watch for this I would have checked that the limit switch got tripped when the table was all the way to the rear of the machine before trying to home. The other item to watch for is on the 3 point bed mount. While it is obvious there is a right and a left, it is less obvious there is a front and a back. The front side has extra holed to allow mounting a handle or other accessories. This is not pointed out in the instructions and I initially installed it with the extra mount holes on the back side. It does function perfectly that way, but I wanted to add a handle and could not figure out how to mount it until I realized there was a front and a back and I needed to flip mine over.

The linear guides have made a big difference in the alignment of layers. They all come out nice and even instead of slight varying alignment I used to get. Run a finger across a wall and it is now super even.

The 3 point bed leveling is a great improvement. I use a BL touch but I still check the bed and level it to minimize the compensation needed. I would say the 3 point leveling is at least 50% faster than the original 4 point I have used for the past 18 months.

I upgraded as the complete kit. If I had to the linear guides or the 3 point bed leveling it would be a hard decision. Probably would do the linear guides as they made a noticeable improvement in the print. The 3 point bed level didn't affect the print, but sure is a convenient time saver.

This set is just like everything else I have gotten from Gulf Coast Robotics. Super high quality, amazing support, and very realistic prices.