Having all sorts of issues!  

RE: Having all sorts of issues!

It’s working a treat now. 

RE: Having all sorts of issues!

This was an excellent thread to follow for one who is new to either the printer or new in general.

I wanted to ask you @PaulB , what improvement did you get (or were looking for) when you upgraded to the Bondecth extruder?

RE: Having all sorts of issues!

@languer

I see you specifically asked for PaulB's opinion & experience, still I hope you don't mind if I add mine.

I notice many times, that some are expecting wonders from Bondtech extruder, after reading "my mini has become totally different machine now" and similar hype. No, difference isn't that big and many times not even noticeable (as long you print mostly PLA at default settings).

To make a better picture of what's all about, let's compare a 200€ mechanical wristwatch with a 2000€ watch (don't forget: extruder is a mechanical device). Both watches will tell the time at about the same accuracy.. let's say 200€ watch has 15sec/day deviation, where 2000€ watch (so called chronograph) has +/-3sec/day. Ok, no big deal, few seconds per day more or less doesn't make  hat big difference.. at the end of the day, both are still pretty accurate. But what after a month? In worst case, 2000€ watch will be off by 90sec and cheaper watch by 450sec! And also keep in mind, that more expensive watch will keep the same accuracy after several years -which is usually not the case for cheap watches.

Bondtech extruder is more precisely built (housing isn't printed with filament), so it has more tight tolerances -which results with more constant extrusion accuracy to begin with (and also over the time).
Bondtech extruder has two gears that push/pull filament (so called "dual extruder"), which gives better filament grip -again, better extrusion accuracy (even at "not that perfect" conditions).
Bondtech extruder has better filament tension control. It's not perfect, but still easier to adjust than that's the case with stock extruder.

In short: Bondtech extruder won't give "better" prints -it gives more reliable printing.

Is it worth to buy? It was for me. I have it for about eight months now and I didn't need to touch it since then (I didn't even need to clean it). Yeah, price is quite high (I bough original Bondtech). In that sense, I would recommend TriangleLab extruder, which is a cheaper Bondtech clone.
Anyway, as long stock extruder works according to your expectations, it really makes no sense to spend the money.

Just sharing my opinions

RE: Having all sorts of issues!

@BogdanH

Thanks so much for such a clear explanation. And yes, I have seen some of your posts praising the Bondtech extruder. And I've also seen more praises when other material (ex. pteg and tpu) are involved. Coupled with your explanation now that makes more sense about what to expect. Thanks again.

RE: Having all sorts of issues!

I changed for a number of reasons. I had had a few cases of the original extruder getting clogged up and chewing filament. I also do print a fair bit of TPU and had heard great things about the Bondtech for that, however, I haven't tried TPU yet, been busy doing stuff for Christmas.