Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
Thanks all. I have to say the argument for a toothed pulley makes sense to me. I really like the way you think JLTX but unfortunately, I don't have a 3d Printer and if I do choose to swap the pulleys I'm doing so during the initial build so I don't have much of a choice other than purchasing one... Now I'm kind of conflicted though as the opinions of two respectable posters are in slight disagreement. Joan.t is pointing toward a 16T pulley and JLTX is currently using a 22T Pulley. The issue I see with the 16T is it doesn't seem to be possible to get one with the larger, presumably better, GT2 bearing but the diameter of the 16T matches that of the smooth idler...
You are over-thinking it. Maybe I missed it but I don't see any particular # teeth recommendation. I'm sure it purely a cost thing. 16T is probably as small as you can go with their bearing and less material = less cost. Same with the stock idler. All things being equal, larger diameter is better. But for your case, just buy some and stop worrying. :). Or even stick with the Prusa supplied solution. It's perfectly fine, just not optimal.
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
Thanks all. I have to say the argument for a toothed pulley makes sense to me. I really like the way you think JLTX but unfortunately, I don't have a 3d Printer and if I do choose to swap the pulleys I'm doing so during the initial build so I don't have much of a choice other than purchasing one... Now I'm kind of conflicted though as the opinions of two respectable posters are in slight disagreement. Joan.t is pointing toward a 16T pulley and JLTX is currently using a 22T Pulley. The issue I see with the 16T is it doesn't seem to be possible to get one with the larger, presumably better, GT2 bearing but the diameter of the 16T matches that of the smooth idler...
You are over-thinking it. Maybe I missed it but I don't see any particular # teeth recommendation. I'm sure it purely a cost thing. 16T is probably as small as you can go with their bearing and less material = less cost. Same with the stock idler. All things being equal, larger diameter is better. But for your case, just buy some and stop worrying. :). Or even stick with the Prusa supplied solution. It's perfectly fine, just not optimal.
Well without the printer in hand it's hard to tell, there could be clearance issues, but being that it's an idler you're right it shouldn't affect much. My preference would be to run the largest bearing possible. That being said, do you know what the largest diameter idler the MK3 can accept? Clearance wise that is.
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
I can happily say that with the smaller diameter 16 tooth idler it's had no negative impact whatsoever. The stock sized idler puts the top of the belt on the right hand size at the designed height for a fully parallel belt but even with a taper down to the smaller idler it has caused me no problems.
I think the part that is more key is that you have some form of spacer to avoid whatever idler you run from rubbing against the side of the printed part.
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
I can happily say that with the smaller diameter 16 tooth idler it's had no negative impact whatsoever. The stock sized idler puts the top of the belt on the right hand size at the designed height for a fully parallel belt but even with a taper down to the smaller idler it has caused me no problems.
I think the part that is more key is that you have some form of spacer to avoid whatever idler you run from rubbing against the side of the printed part.
Are you saying the 16T idler is smaller than the smooth one supplied with the printer?
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
I can happily say that with the smaller diameter 16 tooth idler it's had no negative impact whatsoever. The stock sized idler puts the top of the belt on the right hand size at the designed height for a fully parallel belt but even with a taper down to the smaller idler it has caused me no problems.
I think the part that is more key is that you have some form of spacer to avoid whatever idler you run from rubbing against the side of the printed part.
Are you saying the 16T idler is smaller than the smooth one supplied with the printer?
I just replaced the idler pulleys on my MK2S with 20T GT2 pulleys and that size is close to the original pulleys - Comparing my MK3 and MK2S they have the same size pulleys, so it appears that 20T would be the right size.
Have a look at my models on Printables.com 😉
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
I can happily say that with the smaller diameter 16 tooth idler it's had no negative impact whatsoever. The stock sized idler puts the top of the belt on the right hand size at the designed height for a fully parallel belt but even with a taper down to the smaller idler it has caused me no problems.
I think the part that is more key is that you have some form of spacer to avoid whatever idler you run from rubbing against the side of the printed part.
Are you saying the 16T idler is smaller than the smooth one supplied with the printer?
I just replaced the idler pulleys on my MK2S with 20T GT2 pulleys and that size is close to the original pulleys - Comparing my MK3 and MK2S they have the same size pulleys, so it appears that 20T would be the right size.
Excellent! I have 16T and 20T pulleys in my Amazon cart I'm considering purchasing both and sacrificing the wrong sized ones. JLTX may be right but I don't want to deviate too much for the design so I don't introduce any errors into the build.
edit: judging by product pictures, unreliable I'm sure, the bearings in the 16T pulleys seem absolutely tiny.
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
Are you saying the 16T idler is smaller than the smooth one supplied with the printer?
Yep. Smaller diameter. Same as the motor pinion though.
Re: Which upgrades would you recommend for a new mk3 build?
Sorry to be dumb, but of those using the 20T pulleys on this link:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06VSS4VQF/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
would you recommend the 3mm or the 5mm bore pulley?
Thanks,
CT