Advice needed: What to do with 2 not working Prusa Printers
Hey everyone!
I recently received two Prusa i3 MK2 printers for free (let’s call them Printer "A" and Printer "B"). However, both of them are currently non-functional due to similar issues:
Printer "A": There's an overwhelming amount of filament completely clogging the hotend, covering the wires and components. Removing it seems like a massive challenge.
Printer "B": The filament buildup has already been removed, but in the process, the wires were cut and need replacing.
I'm hoping to get at least one working printer out of this. Would you recommend buying a new hotend and printing any required replacement parts? Is it worth salvaging one printer from the parts of the other?
I’d really appreciate any advice or suggestions, especially from those who've dealt with similar issues. Thanks in advance! I am fairly new to this topic.
RE: Advice needed: What to do with 2 not working Prusa Printers
This may be an ideal time to consider the Mk2.5S Upgrade (the kits are nolonger available, so you would need to source the parts yourself. )
this will replace the extruder plastic parts with more up to date, easier to use plastics... getting the extruder into and out of the Mk2 extruder plastic parts is difficult and irritating. also the 12volt mk52 heatbed gives you the option of using removable build plates, which makes cleaning easier, and reduces the chances of future blobs of doom
Heatbed only
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006074798991.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.1.665boY9RoY9RUJ&algo_pvid=47f916ea-03df-4ff4-a2e9-be153760c0fb&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
Kit including heatbed
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32966916839.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.37.53e9jGLAjGLAK6&algo_pvid=580734a8-5ce7-41b8-84c4-26f1a15b44ad&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A
now might be the time to consider a different hot end.
Phaetus Dragon. drop in replacement gives better nozzle change action much less chance of filament leakage
there is also a Phaetus High Flow version which gives more protection to the heater and thermistor wires.
Below e3d Revo Drop in replacement, gives tool less nozzle change and no leakage of filament
Revo has the added advantage of making the heater and thermistor wiring, less likely to get damaged if another 'blob of doom' occurs
original e3dV6 extruder
https://e3d-online.com/products/prusa-v6-hotend?_pos=1&_sid=56a840c3c&_ss=r&variant=34172334997563
good luck
I still have a Mk2, it has a mk52 heatbed, but not Mk2.5 upgrade... (XYZ calibration won't work because the sense spots are in different locations compared to the old Mk2 heatbed). but mine still works with the MMU1 four filament unit that I have had since about 2016.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Advice needed: What to do with 2 not working Prusa Printers
Thank you for your reply!
So if I buy a new ‘Prusa V6 HotEnd’ and replace my old broken HotEnd with it, it should work with my old, not upgraded, complete mk2 kit (including old heatbed)?
RE: Advice needed: What to do with 2 not working Prusa Printers
that should work OK.
read the instructions for inserting the Hot end into the extruder housing carefully, you need to tile the hot end as it is inserted.
Cleaning the PEI sheet on the original heatbed is not as easy as cleaning a removable build plate.
cleanliness of the PEI, gives greatest chance of avoiding blobs of doom.
Beware of people recommending cleaning the PEI with Acetone, My PEI deteriorated after such treatment, and the surface cracked like crazy paving.
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK