Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI  

How stable is the RC firmware?

How are the RC candidate firmware versions? I usually try and stay away from them because I’m new enough to 3d printing that I don’t want to introduce anymore variables then I have too. Yes, I do see the irony in that statement and adding the Bondtech Extruder. 🤣

This gcode?

Are you referring to the gcode from Step 40 in the installation instructions?

I pretty sure I tried it and it didn’t do anything for the purging cycle and the end of a new filament load. However I can’t remember if I had just restarted my Mini or not before that. I’ll go back and test again.

RC

I have found the RC firmware very stable for the last 3 days that I have used it.  

RC

Good to know. I’ll look at trying it as soon as get my z-level setup properly again with the current firmware.

RC Firmware

I find any RC firmware from Prusa is very stable, it's a release candidate in the truest sense of the word. I've printed a few things since installing it with no problems.

In general you can trust Prusa RC firmware

Posted by: @bmorgenthaler

How are the RC candidate firmware versions? I usually try and stay away from them...

-I think the same way in this regard. But Prusa RC firmware is not "maybe it will work". It's a Release Candidate, which means it works, but there might be changes in final version (some options added/changed and similar).
Btw. I'm still running previous modified v432RC1 firmware (because of Bondtech) and it works just fine. I already have ready modified v433RC (because I also changed heatbreak, which needs new PID value), but didn't have time to install it yet.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

I got my Bondtech Extruder for the MINI a few days ago and since then I have not been able to solve the stringing problem .I tried to change retraction settings but so far no good. Anyone have any recommended settings for retraction?

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

No, Bondtech extruder doesn't need any special settings (except E-steps) or tweaking. If you experience increased stringing, then you should look elsewhere:

1. Is filament dry? -very important!
-don't say it's a new spool or just opened... dry the filament!
2. Are you using the right/optimal temperature for your filament?
-depending on brand, there's only recommended temperature range. You need to find the best value by yourself, which depends on object that you're printing.
3. What kind of object are you printing?
-smallish objects with a lot of detail always tend to string (that's just the way it is). You can reduce stringing by slightly decreasing temperature when printing such object (or print two small objects at once).

Again, make sure you addressed above (most often) stringing reasons. And if you still can't decrease stringing, try with another filament brand.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

So is this upgrade worth it? How hard is it to upgrade? 

RE:

It's an improvement for brittle and flexible filaments because of the distribution of forces. The gear ratio is only slightly better than the stock one. (Which is only relevant if you print really slow or with tiny nozzles.) With standard profiles and the usual materials, you will not get any speed or quality improvements.

So, it depends. Do you print a lot of TPU or metal-filled PLA? If not, a Revo hotend would be a significantly worthwhile upgrade.

Posted by: @bazim

So is this upgrade worth it? How hard is it to upgrade? 

I, personally, find it easy to upgrade. But you should just read the manual and decide for yourself.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

It is worth it and it is easy to upgrade.  

Posted by: @bazim

So is this upgrade worth it? How hard is it to upgrade? 

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

Right now I print only PLA and PETG (Prusament), maybe in long future I will want to print some TPU, but general. Can you recommend to me the bondtech extruder and the heatbreak or only one of this upgrade?

I watch the video of upgrading the extruder and it does not seem to be that hard (I love the internal filament sensor), but about the heatbreak I am really scared of it. The upgrade seems to me like almost for profesionals.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

My general suggestion is to "upgrade" for a reason. In my hands, the stock extruder was just a bit too temperamental and given the wide range of filaments I have in use, it requires too much attention to the correct setting of the idler screw. So I replaced the stock extruders on my Minis with the Trianglelab clones of the Bondtech extruder and couldn't be happier. No need to futz around with the idler since installing them. Installation is easy if you know your way with an Allen wrench and can read a manual. Even easier now that the firmware supports it directly, so no need to set Esteps in the slicer custom gcode anymore. 

I have the Bondtech heat breaks but they never left my spare parts drawer. I bought them in the early days because I read quite a few reports that suggested they may be needed. But I, for one, never experienced any issues with the stock heat breaks so I really had no reason so install them. 

TL;DR:  from my very own experience I'd say the extruder is a super useful upgrade, the heat break I would only do if you experience issues with the stock one. 

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

Acording to your informations that extruder looking good in my eyes. Only what about I am worried, I read that you need change some wires to work. And the load/unload filament function is working just fine? 

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

You'll have to set the E-steps in the firmware, and then load/unload works the same way it does with the stock extruder. See https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware-Buddy/releases/tag/v4.3.3-RC

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

I got the bondtech from the beginning and have never used the original extruder from prusa.

At the time, you needed to swap two wires on the extrudet cable.

Since the last firmware you can swap the direction to "wrong" in settings in the printer.

I have only had one issue with unloading filament, and it was after a slight clog and grinding where i needed to open the odler-door due to the blob on the filament i couldn

t pull thru the extruder.

Without having tested the original extruder, i would say i have not regretted the bondtech extruder upgrade.

I'm unsure how many hours it have printed, but i have put thru about 30-35kg of filament over the past year in it. PLA/PETG/ABS/ASA

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

And what do you thing are the main pros for the bondtech extruder that you did not even try the original one?

I am almost sold to buy it.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

I had a lot of trouble with the original extruder grinding away the filament (PLA and PETG) until it stopped extruding.  After numerous disassembly/cleaning/adjustment exercises I switched to Bondtech and have had no extruder problems.

I had an issue with the Bondtech where the drive gear was not adjusted properly on the shaft.  This must be a rare occurrence since I have not heard of it from anyone else but still check that carefully.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

I use the Bondtech Extruder and hotbreak, and they work great for me.
Mainly print PETG and ASA/ABS, but I also use a different X carriage for better airflow.
And I broke the appendix on the Buddy board to use Klipper (Mainsail), and Resonance Compensation using ADXL345.

Maybe not the best photo quality, but I printed this yesterday using FormFutura rTitan black.

So what in the end is best, I am not sure. Maybe I could haven't gotten this without the extruder as well.
I do like that it's pretty much one piece instead of multiple parts that feel kinda flimsy.

RE: Bondtech Extruder for Prusa MINI

Posted by: @bazim

And what do you thing are the main pros for the bondtech extruder that you did not even try the original one?

I am almost sold to buy it.

At the time when i decided to buy the mini+, there was alot of posts with ppl having issues with grinding filament and trouble finding the correct idler tension on the stock extruder. That was my reason for getting it from the start.

There is however an unknown number of ppl with stock extruder that have it working, as you only tend to hear about those having problems in the forum.