A Tale of Eight Enders: Maker Steve’s Bowden Edition – Compression Fitting Fix

8/13/2019  – USED ENDER Printers back in stock!  I’ve bought 3.. they help you fix ’em!

Ender 3 Pro  $185.00 OBO!

Ender 3 $155.00 OBO!

Ender 5 $249.00 OBO!

CR-10 259.00 OBO!

UPDATE! Ender 3 Fix – Aluminum Extruder Upgrade

I have 8 Ender 3’s, all pretty close in age, I have upgraded several with Aluminum Bowden Extruders. Those I have not, are starting to have issues with extrusion as seen in the pictures. Save yourself some frustration and swap it out early.
 
Here is my guide:

Happy new year 3D Printing Makers!

NOTE: there is a video about half way down that helps to explain.

Be sure to check out my Ender 3 build guide and Bare bones upgrade guide

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It’s no secret,

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I really like Creality’s printers, specifically the Ender 3.  I have 2 CR-10S’s, 7 Ender 3’s and an Ender 3 Pro in the box.

But I am baffled

by the Bowden Compression Fitting issue they all have.  The entire community know about it, so much so we have a 3D Printed clip to make Compression Fittings more reliable.   This issue is common to many 3D printers.

So my most recent Ender 3 comes with an injection molded clip – 3 different sizes.

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Could you imagine the conversation between the Engineer and the Manager.

“Sir, we have a fix to the pneumatic compression fitting problem…. we are going to injection mold 3 more additional clips for each defective compression fitting and include it in our kits.  Where gonna make millions of them! Problem solved, where is my raise?” 

Holy shit.. really?

I get it, you have a million of them in the warehouse.  Wholesale them clips and get something more reliable.

I digress, here are my fixes.

Solution 1: FAST – Upgrade your Bowden Tube to Capricorn XS from Amazon.

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Capricorn Bowden Tube

20 pcs – Pneumatic Fitting

 

Solution 2: CHEAP(er) – from eBay.

1 Meter Capricorn XS – for a couple printers

2 Meters Capricorn XS 

This one for the Extruder 10 Pcs PC4-M6 Pneumatic Air Straight Quick Fitting 4mm thread M6 One touch W5Y5

This one for the Hotend For V6 PC4-M10 Straight Teflon Tube Push In Quick Release Fitting Connector

Here’s why:

They don’t hold and the bowden tube backs out.  Eventually you have a gap between the nozzle and the PTFE/Bowden/Teflon tubing and your printer starts jamming up.

These stock ones suck.

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These two with injection molded clips suck even more.20190104_192411

They have no tactile movement, there is no positive engagement.  Often times you can pull the tube right out after you lock it in place.20190104_194026

This is better20190104_19245220190104_192503

There’s teeth in there!20190104_192512


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Thanks Steve

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