Hot end upgrade to extruder/hotend combo
Stock Hotend Experience
Summary
The LK-1 has been reliable with stock extruders and hotends. The tubes need replacement every 40 hours, and issues often arise from hotend fan failures leading to tube melting and collapse.
Key Points
- Stock hotends work well but are prone to tube issues.
- Extruding filament out completely after a print helps prevent filament jams.
- Retracting filament when stopping a print helps assess tube condition.
- Tube condition can be checked by pushing or pulling filament; it should move easily down to the nozzle.
Custom Hotend Build
Overview
Custom hotends require careful assembly to prevent leaks. The barrel and tip must connect tightly.
Parts
- Standard Creality hotend
- Custom hotend with advanced features
Steps
1. Measure and mark the tube to ensure it is inserted fully. 2. Insert the tube into the barrel and ensure it touches the tip. 3. Ensure the hotend fan is performing well to prevent overheating.
Notes
- The tube should push through easily; if melted, it can be difficult to remove.
- Tube lifespan is about 20 to 40 hours, depending on temperatures and fan efficiency.
Upgraded Hotend
Overview
Upgraded hotends can include an extruder as a unit. The setup is different from stock hotends, with the tube only inserting halfway and using a lined inset with an air brake.
Parts
- Specialty hotend with extruder as a unit
- Creality hotend
Steps
1. Insert the tube halfway into the unit. 2. Ensure the tip and barrel are tightly connected to form a seal.
Notes
- The fan must perform well to prevent overheating.
- The upgraded hotend is not considered worth the cost for significant improvement.
Direct Drive Extruder Upgrade
Overview
Upgrading to a direct drive extruder involves changing from a separate assembly with a long tube to a combined unit. The goal is to find an inexpensive solution that works.
Parts
- Creality direct drive extruder
- Unbranded direct drive extruder
Steps
1. Test multiple units to find the best fit. 2. Calibrate the units and make minor adjustments as needed.
Notes
- The unbranded unit was chosen for the location of the motor behind the assembly with the load slot in front.
- The upgrade has been mixed, with some successful prints and some failures.
- The best part is the filament input location, which is more accessible than the original setup.
Direct Drive Extruder Performance
Overview
Running multiple machines with direct drive upgrades, the Creality version is performing the best.
Key Points
- The Creality version is about $40 and worth the upgrade.
- Still running stock setups on other machines, which produce good parts.
- Using a quality main board like the Duet WiFi and good quality filament helps prevent jams.
- Extracting filament when the print is complete helps prevent jams.