Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?  

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

In my opinion no because if the nozzle leaks big mess if it comes of big mess/problem/ failed print there good to keep a thermal barrier and to keep heat block clean

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Keeping that thermal barrier and clean heat block is a good idea, no??

I always use one since its keep the heat block as clean as new - when I sold my MK3S+ the heatblock looked shiny like new! If you go get a spaghetti mess it stops the plastic sticking to the heatblock - easier to remove the sock and replace it then trying to clean all the plastic mess. It also helps regulate the heatblock temperature more evenly. 

Posted by: @hello

In my opinion no because if the nozzle leaks big mess if it comes of big mess/problem/ failed print there good to keep a thermal barrier and to keep heat block clean

RE:

As long as they stay in place, I think socks are a good idea. 

On my old E3D hot end, the wires for heater/thermistor protruded from the sides of the heat block. That required "slots" on the side of the sock, so it wasn't able to grip the block as well as it should. The E3D socks (even those with the larger nozzle hole) were therefore prone to slipping down below the block and hitting the print, and/or getting filled full of molten filament.  It was a tough call whether they were worth the potential problems.

But the Nextruder wires are at the top of the block, so the sock can firmly grip around the entire periphery and top edge of the block.  There are no slots or holes needed on the side.   The Nextruder sock grips the block really well, and I don't see any way it could slip down or fall off.

So, I vote "yes" for the improved thermal stability, and letting any errant filament hit the sock (where it won't stick) instead of the heat block.

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I was order a few supplies and threw the socks in since they were cheap and I saw some folks recommend socks. Then I saw people saying they were trouble. I’m sitting on the fence with the socks unopened. 🤔 

I ordered spare hotend components yesterday. After they arrive I will probably try a sock on one set. As things stand my current hotend remains very clean even after over a week of print time. Every time I look the nozzle change instructions I laugh at the section about using a brush while it is hot to clean it first.

RE:

I'll get the popcorn out and watch this show. Like many other topics on 3D printing, sock or no sock is one people argue over with religious fervor and no hard core data. 

Mostly anecdotal experiences. To throw my own in: I haven't used socks on years and see no reason why. One of the worst blobs I've had was when using a sock, when filament oozed down the heater block inside the sock and I never noticed. Stopped using a sock then and never looked back. But again, this is just a personal anecdote. I have zero issues with people who use socks, I'm an agnostic. 

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Have always used a sock without issue. Not sure if it helps or not but I like to know that the heat block will stay clean, or would be easy to clean should there be any issue. As long as you remember to put the sock setting on in the printer menu, there should be no issues. And now that the heat block/nozzle design seems 'simpler' then the MK3 I can't see there being any issue - I have mine ready either way.....lol

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Bought the nextruder silicon socks for my MK4. What i can tell, the only reason why you should buy sock is to have a clean heat block. I have seen zero print quality difference with no sock or sock. It's your choice. MK4 looks cooler with sock!

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I have run both ways.  I vote sock hands down for the MK4.  It also helps keep heat in the hotend.  On the MK4 you have to enable the sock in the hardware so it can adjust for the insulation.  Keeping everything clean is the main advantage.   Saving  a ball stuck to the hotend is worth it.   

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Funny how this is such an almost religious question. I don't use socks on my Mk3 but I do use one on my Voron 0.1. The advantage a sock offers is that the hotend is better insulated against the effects of changing part cooling fan speeds. Yes, that fan is primarily targetted at the printing layer but there is some visible effect on the hotend as well. Does it really make a big difference? I don't know.

You certainly need less energy to keep your hotend at temp but on the other side, if you are using a passively heated enclosure that also means a bit less heat for the enclosure.

RE:

I always use socks on my printer(s) like it's  mentioned above it helps protect the heat block. I've add the prusa silicone socks to my order , previously used the E3D one. Just remember to fit them when the heat block is cold. I'll be adding mine during the assembly.

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

i find with PLA the sock will cause lines as the print gets taller i think from it keeping in to much heat in the block and not letting it make it up the the filament enough when its away from the heat of the bed and cooling the PLA just enough to cause a slight blockage till the heat can creep back up and be slowly taken away by the fast moving PLA. i have messed with setting and 3 different filaments including purusha and found no sock works with most setting better then hours of messing with a sock.  so if you dont want to slow down the print speed for pla in my case at least i remove the sock. 

MK4

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I use a sock on my mk4 to keep the block clean. For me it works and the print quality didn't change.

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I ran with a sock on my MK3, but because it was a looser fit I used the steel core of twist-ties to clamp the top of the sock to keep it from trying to slide off.

I have a sock on my MK4 and (especially when printing something stringy like PETG) am often able to easily pick errant filament off the sock around the nozzle, probably light stringing that stuck the next time the hot-end passed over the strings.

 The MK4 sock fits much better. I can see that it might get in the way of swapping nozzles, but since I plan to swap the entire nozzle/heatblock group (I plan on using my already purchased WC nozzles once a copper heatblock is available) that isn't a big deal for me. Hopefully I won't wear out the connectors on the Love board...

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I have the levendig|dsgn Prusa MK4/XL Silicone Sock-X - only ever used one and have 9 in the package still.

If anyone is UK based and wants to buy them cheap feel free to contact me as I do not need them 😉

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I’m looking in to getting one cause of petg issues. Do they just slip/snap on or do I have to take things apart?

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Nothing to take apart. Just slides on into place. 

Remember to enter printer settings and choose the correct option to inform the system that a sock is installed. 

See the end of the final video in my MK4 build series (link in sig) where I cover how to install the sock 😉

Posted by: @ali-adcock

I’m looking in to getting one cause of petg issues. Do they just slip/snap on or do I have to take things apart?

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

The sock is included with the MK4S.    I would guess the sock is needed to keep the heat stable for the high flow rates. 

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

Yes thats correct, although wasn't included with the MK4 (I'm assuming the OP is referring to the MK4 considering that the forum he's posted in.....)

Posted by: @vhubbard

The sock is included with the MK4S.    I would guess the sock is needed to keep the heat stable for the high flow rates. 

RE: Are Silicone Socks a Good Idea?

I had the sock from day 0 on my MK4, since I purchased it as option when I purchased the MK4. I had no issues at all.

I don't use the Nextruder nozzle adapter, so there is no fear to leak with a normal Nextruder nozzle.

Regards