Is a MINI+ with a 0.25mm nozzle a good idea for detailed prints?
Hello everyone!
The short version of my question is in the topic. Here comes the long version:
I have a Prusa MK2s which became an MK2.5. It's just great. However, for some time I'm thinking about buying a second printer.
The reason is that I'm printing stuff for my model railway. While the 0.4mm nozzle in the MK2.5 is right for G scale, I saw other guys doing great stuff for HO with a 0.25mm nozzle (I don't want an SLA printer as I don't want to tinker with the chemicals involved there). As I need the 0.4mm nozzle for other, bigger prints (just printed a few lightsabers for the daughter of my spouse and a hose adapter for the vacuum cleaner) and as I don't want to regularly change nozzles, this means a second printer.
My original plan was to wait for the XL which was mentioned in an e-mail last summer and then put a 0.25mm nozzle on my MK2.5. However, lately I read a few tests which reported the same print quality for the MINI+ than for the MK3s. So now I'm contemplating buying a MINI+ and fitting it with a 0.25mm nozzle to use it for small and highly detailed parts. However, I don't know if this combination would work and make sense. As the MK2.5 is my first and only 3D-printer, I don't have any experience with bowden extruders.
Material for the MINI+ would only be PLA. Two-colour printing by changing the colour at a certain level (as on the MK2.5) would be great, but is not mandatory - I know how to split things.
So what do you think? Do my thoughts make any sense for you? Has anyone already used a MINI+ with a 0.25mm nozzle?
Any input is welcome
Best regards
Rolf
RE: Is a MINI+ with a 0.25mm nozzle a good idea for detailed prints?
https://blog.prusaprinters.org/printing-great-looking-miniatures-with-a-0-25mm-nozzle-on-the-original-prusa-mini_33457/ may be of interest. There are many people using small nozzles to print miniatures with the Mini, so I would expect you would get great results for HO gauge. The only issue might be the smaller bed size, for trackside features I don't think there would be an issue, but rolling stock might push it 😀
RE: Is a MINI+ with a 0.25mm nozzle a good idea for detailed prints?
Mounting a 0.25mm nozzle on either your Mk3s or a new Mini should work. I'm getting very nice 1:100 scale miniature out of my Mk3. Not as detailed as resin, of course, but like you, I don't want the chemicals about.
Here are some 1:600, 1:285, 1:200, and 1:100 test results. They paint up and look fine at arm's length.
Not sure why the hesitancy to swap nozzles now. Once mastered, it's a simple and quick process. I often swap daily.
RE: Is a MINI+ with a 0.25mm nozzle a good idea for detailed prints?
Wow! Many thanks for the prompt and helpful replies!
The blog link from gordon-w was exactly what I was looking for. If the things shown there are possible with the MINI, this is the right machine for me. The bed size is large enough for the things I want to do.
@bobstro: I once changed the nozzle on my original MK2s and my feeling was that it was really difficult to use just the right amount of force and do not break anything. So yes, I won't have a problem to change the nozzle of the MINI once, but I don't want to do it on a regular basis.
So, once more many thanks, and I will order a MINI.
Best regards
Rolf