Makerbase MKS SKIPR
The MKS SKIPR is a budget 3D printer mainboard built on the STM32F407 at 168MHz, offering 7 plug-in stepper driver slots and a Raspberry Pi 40-pin header for direct SBC mounting. At $55, it undercuts the BTT Octopus V1.1 by $10 while integrating a Pi header that eliminates a separate USB connection.
A solid budget Voron board — just know the community is smaller than BTT's.
Where to Buy
Pros
- 7 plug-in stepper driver slots cover Voron 2.4's 6-stepper requirement plus one spare
- Raspberry Pi 40-pin GPIO header provides direct SBC connection without USB cable
- $55 price undercuts the Octopus V1.1 by $10 and includes the Pi header
- STM32F407 at 168MHz is adequate for Klipper with all common kinematics
Cons
- Smaller community than BTT — fewer configs, guides, and troubleshooting resources
- STM32F407 at 168MHz is slower than the Octopus V1.1's STM32F446 at 180MHz
- No CAN bus support — toolhead boards must connect via USB
- Only 4 fan headers versus the Octopus V1.1's 6
Budget Positioning and Trade-offs
The MKS SKIPR occupies a specific niche: builders who want 7+ driver slots and an integrated SBC connection for less than $60. At $55, it costs $10 less than the BTT Octopus V1.1 ($65) and $44 less than the Manta M8P ($99). The 40-pin Raspberry Pi header eliminates the USB cable between the Pi and the mainboard, resulting in cleaner wiring.
The trade-off is community size. MakerBase (MKS) has a smaller user base than BigTreeTech (BTT) in the Voron community. When you hit a configuration issue, you will find fewer SKIPR-specific answers on GitHub, Discord, and Reddit compared to the Octopus. Most users adapt Octopus Klipper configs by remapping pins, which works but adds setup time.
Hardware Capabilities
The STM32F407 at 168MHz runs Klipper reliably for all common kinematics including CoreXY, delta, and cartesian. It is slightly slower than the Octopus V1.1's STM32F446 at 180MHz, but this difference is negligible for Klipper's motion planning workload.
Seven plug-in driver slots accept any Pololu-form-factor driver. For a Voron 2.4, this means 2 AB drivers, 4 Z drivers, and 1 extruder — exactly 7. There is no spare slot for a future second extruder without replacing a Z driver with a parallel wiring setup. The 4 fan headers are adequate for a standard Voron but tight if you want per-driver cooling or additional chamber fans.
Full Specifications
Processor
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Architecture | ARM Cortex-M4 |
| CPU Cores | 1 |
| Clock Speed | 168 MHz |
I/O & Interfaces
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Stepper Drivers | 7 (plug-in) |
| Driver Type | TMC2209, TMC5160 compatible |
| Thermistor Inputs | 3 |
| Heater Outputs | 3 (2 hotend + 1 bed) |
| Fan Ports | 5 |
| Probe Port | BLTouch compatible |
| CAN Bus | No |
| USB | USB-C |
| SBC Socket | RPi header (40-pin) |
Power
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Input Voltage | 12-24 V |
Physical
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 151 x 104 mm |
| Form Factor | Printer mainboard |
Who Should Buy This
At $55 with 7 driver slots and a Pi header, the SKIPR costs $10 less than the Octopus V1.1 while integrating the SBC connection. The 7th driver slot covers a spare or second extruder.
The MKS SKIPR has no CAN bus header. For CAN toolhead setups with an EBB36, the Octopus V1.1 or Manta M8P with native CAN support is required.
Better alternative: BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1
The Octopus V1.1 has more Voron community configs, wiring guides, and troubleshooting threads. The SKIPR works but you will find fewer reference configurations and may need to adapt BTT configs.
Better alternative: BIGTREETECH Octopus V1.1
The Ender 3 needs 4 drivers and a compact board. The SKIPR is too large and has too many drivers for a bed-slinger. The SKR Mini E3 V3 is a purpose-built drop-in replacement.
Better alternative: BIGTREETECH SKR Mini E3 V3.0
If configuring firmware and wiring stepper drivers feels like a lot, the Bambu Lab A1 Mini prints out of the box for under $200.
Better alternative: Bambu Lab A1 Mini
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MKS SKIPR work with Klipper?
Yes. The STM32F407 is supported by Klipper. You will need to compile Klipper firmware using the correct pin configuration for the SKIPR. Community-contributed configs exist, though fewer than for BTT boards.
How does the SKIPR compare to the BTT Octopus V1.1?
The SKIPR costs $10 less, has 7 driver slots (vs 8), includes a Pi GPIO header (Octopus needs USB), but lacks CAN bus support. The Octopus has more community documentation and 6 fan headers (vs 4). Both run Klipper well.
Can I use TMC5160 drivers with the MKS SKIPR?
Yes. All 7 driver slots accept plug-in drivers including TMC5160 for high-current or high-voltage stepper applications. Configure via SPI in Klipper.
Does the SKIPR support CAN bus toolhead boards?
No. The SKIPR has no CAN bus transceiver or header. Toolhead boards like the EBB36 must connect via USB through the Raspberry Pi. For native CAN bus, choose the Octopus V1.1 or Manta M8P.
What Raspberry Pi models work with the SKIPR's GPIO header?
Any Raspberry Pi with a 40-pin GPIO header: Pi 3B+, Pi 4, Pi 5, or Pi Zero 2 W. The Pi connects directly to the SKIPR via GPIO UART, eliminating the USB cable used with other mainboards.
Is the MKS SKIPR good for a first Voron build?
It works, but first-time Voron builders benefit from the larger BTT community. The Octopus V1.1 has more step-by-step guides, Discord channels, and configuration examples. The SKIPR is better for experienced builders who are comfortable adapting configs.
How many fan headers does the MKS SKIPR have?
4 controllable fan headers. This covers the standard Voron fan setup (hotend, part cooling, electronics bay, exhaust) but leaves no spare for additional chamber fans or per-driver cooling without a fan splitter.