Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
Hi,
I just got my third PRUSA printer, the Mini+. The other two are MK3S. I want to use one of the three printers with a 0.25 mm nozzle for small and detailed parts (I am building RC models). The natural choice seems to be the Mini+. However I am wondering if the bowden extruder will have disadvantages with the 0.25mm nozzle.
Any comments welcome. Also if you can share experiences printing with the 0.25mm nozzle. On the PRUSA video they suggested to use ASA instead of PLA.
Thanks a lot for your participation
Cheers
Alexander
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
I don't have any experience with the Mini, but I use a 0.25mm nozzle on my Mk3 regularly. It works very well and dependably in this configuration. That said, the Mini is sized right for small parts, so I'd probably keep one mounted on the Mini myself, assuming print quality is good.
and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
0.25 works great on the Mini, but I can't recommend one over the other at the moment.
Both print well with an 0.25mm nozzle.
Let's do a bit comparison:
| Mini(+) | i3 MK3(S)(+) |
| - bowden drive | + direct drive |
| + geared | - direct |
| - unsatisfactory fan shroud | + better fan shroud |
| + cheap | - relative pricy |
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
Thanks a lot @bobstro and @lichtjaeger.
As I own both printers it's great to hear that the Mini seems to make the job as well as the MK3S.
I just got the Mini yesterday, assembled it (not the kit) and it does work extremely well (as expected) from the very beginning with the 0.4mm nozzle. I will change the nozzle on the weekend.
Is PLA OK or are there any problems. PRUSA suggested in its video that ASA is supposedly the better choice.
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
@alexander-6
Both. I can’t really give you a reason for one over the other. It works fine on both makes of printer for me
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
The only problem I have with PLA is a rough surface on the backside because of the fan. I reduced fan speed and print speed and now it looks better. But maybe this is only on my machine.
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
I've printed with the 0.25 mm nozzle on both Mk3S and Mini, and both models did a superb job. Never tried ASA but I didn't experience any issues with PLA.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
@alexander-6
I missed the mention of ASA. I have used on on my MK3S with ASA. I can’t see wht it would not work on the Mini.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Best printer for 0.25mm nozzle: Mini+ or MK3S
Thank you all for your feedback. I eventually change the nozzle on my Mini+ and the results with PLA were much, much better than expected.
I was printing a seat for an excavator model. Withe .4mm nozzle and 0,15mm layer height the result was not too great (see pic 1).
With the Mini+ w/ 0,25mm nozzle and 0,07mm layer height the result was beyond compare (see pic 2). There first prints did not provide any problem at all. I used the default Slicer settings and did not fiddle around with them. I was expecting problems due to the bowden extrusion but this seems not to be a problem at all.
To the point of you @lichtjaeger, I did not experience any problem with a rough backside. Is it possible that this is due to first Z-level height?
Cheers Alexander