Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+  

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

I would recommend the Mosquito hotend.  

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

Phaetus Dragon hotend. I believe there was some patent action from Slice Engineering (Mosquito) related to the one-handed nozzle change approach so that I can't find the Dragon for sale anymore. However, you can still buy all the components (heat break, heat sink, heater block) -- for example, from Aliexpress)-- and assemble it yourself.

For some reason it didn't work so well in my hands, but there clearly are many happy users out there.  I will most likely give it another try this summer.

As a very different approach, I recently bought the Z-catch nozzle replacement tool. It's currently on sale at https://www.printedsolid.com/products/zcatch-1-4-drive-nozzle-removal-tool?variant=23285290369109 for $28. I think it's awesome. Safer to use than the usual spanner, with little potential to damage the thermistor/heater cables. Not technically one-hand but pretty close.

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

I love my Phaetus Dragon ST hotend.  Have them in both my printers.  Here's an adapter to keep it from spinning when changing nozzles.  No need to print new extruder housing.

Livius

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

@livius

What filament did you use?

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

@cwbullet

I use Hatchbox PLA and Prusament PLA and PETG.  

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

Ran some ngen_flex from colorfabb this weekend with no problems.  Also, I use plated copper nozzles exclusively and have silicone socks on.

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

The issue I have is that I often print at 260-280.  I might have to try the part printed in ASA.  

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

@cwbullet

Are you referring to my adapter?  The entire cylindrical frame is mostly for mounting.  Otherwise you couldn't mount it in the existing PETG extruder body parts.  The heatsink for the heatbreak is not coupled to the frame and the only heat going into the frame is from the four roll pins at the bottom from the heaterblock (see attached).  Very poor heat conductors.  You're welcome to print it in ASA but I think PETG would be adequate.

I made the switch based on your recommendation from your review thread... 😉  

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

@livius

My point was that nearly every part in PETG near the hotend warps when you print at 280C.  I will try ASA.

RE: Looking for a hotend upgrade for easier nozzle swaps on mk3S+

Understood.   I'm happy to provide a STEP if you need to tweak it.  Or let me know of any changes needed.