There’s a satisfying sort of excitement that comes with upgrading a tool you use almost daily – not just the thrill of new tech, but the feeling that you’re unlocking new creative potential. So I’m rather chuffed to say that a new 3D printer is joining the MRE and Little World Workshop studio: the Elegoo Mars 4 Ultra.
I’ve been using the Mars 2 for a while now, and it’s been a solid, reliable machine – straightforward to use and perfect for many of the tiny details, 1/76th scale spades, buckets, etc, that I include in my models. But as time’s gone on, I’ve started craving a bit more precision and refinement, especially when I’m working on the tiny, intricate elements that really bring a fantasy diorama or model railway scene to life. I’m also finding myself wishing for faster print times, particularly as sales have started to pick up.
That’s where the Mars 4 Ultra steps in.
The Mars 2’s 2K mono screen and 35 µm XY resolution served me well, but the Ultra’s 9K monochrome LCD takes that down to just 18 µm (0.018 mm) – ideal for capturing the crisp, intricate details I rely on when printing 1/76th scale OO gauge and 009 model railway components. Things like door hinges, ladder rungs, and bucket handles that the Mars 2 couldn’t print well and are impossible on the Flashforge filament printer I use for prototyping now come through cleanly and consistently. It also opens the door to working in even smaller scales – N gauge, especially – with far more confidence.
Print speed is a lot better too, with the Mars 4 Ultra hitting up to 150 mm per hour compared to the 50–70 mm I was getting before. The build plate’s slightly larger, the new touchscreen is much easier to use, and the addition of Wi‑Fi makes transferring files a breeze.
It also has an air filter that removes the smell, although not all the nasty volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that float around in the air when printing and working with resins. Thankfully, I have an extraction fan in my studio/workshop and can also leave the door and windows open but it’s still nice to have.
Finally, the Mars 4 Ultra has a wider and slightly taller print area. It’s not a massive increase, but it will allow me to get more of the tiny pieces I work on printed at the same time.
All in all, it’s not just an upgrade – it’s a proper leap forward for the kind of high-detail, small-scale work I enjoy.
I’ve always believed that having the right tools doesn’t just make work easier – it helps you think differently. It frees me up to experiment more, try that fiddly chimney detail, refine texture on stone walls or create something that wouldn’t have been worth the faff before. That’s what I’m hoping this printer will unlock: a bit more freedom to chase ideas without bumping into limitations.
What really appeals is the balance it offers: precision at speed. I can work at a faster pace than before, but with noticeably better results. That means more time spent designing and building – the bits I enjoy.
The printer should arrive in the next week or so, and I’ll report back once I’ve had a chance to put it through its paces.
Andy is a lifelong modeller, writer, and founder of modelrailwayengineer.com and its sister site. He has been building model railways, dioramas, and miniatures for over 30 years. His passion for model making and railways began when he was a child, building his first layout at the age of seven.
Andy’s particular passion is making scenery and structures in 4mm scale, which he sells commercially. He is particularly interested in modelling the railways of South West England during the late Victorian era, although he also enjoys making sci-fi and fantasy figures and dioramas.
When not making models, Andy lives in Surrey with his wife and teenage son. Other interests include history, science fiction, photography, and programming. Read more about Andy.