PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors  

Hand drill with inserted scrape ptfe

I was able to use a vise (could probably used a larger/heavier clamp too) to hold the connecter and then used a 5mm bit in my handheld drill to bore it out. I used a recommendation that I saw in another thread that used a disposable piece of inserted ptfe to keep the collect teeth out of the way of the bit. So far the pair that I've done have been performing flawlessly.

testing an alternative source

I did a couple ABS & ASA prints recently that did what you'd expect to the stock hotend...

While I'm waiting for my Copperhead order, I started looking for the PC4 fittings...then I found this thread.  I really didn't want to wait a month for an order from a seller on AliExpress, so I kept looking and found the part at Dyze Design (also frustrated that Amazon sabotages its search results.)  In this instance, I'm comfortable spending more for less if it supports a part of the maker community...

I am left with one question:  with a through-hole connection at both ends, how long of a tube am I going to need? 

Kudos for finding it! It's pretty much impossible to unearth this rare unicorn anywhere.

But I must admit, $4 a pop, plus a whopping $20 shipping is a bit more than I'm willing to spend given that my non-pushthrough PC4 fittings work just fine... 

RE: [insert your value judgement here]

And that's fine--I'm not saying everyone should drop everything and get them to replace what they already have.  I really would like to have the single-piece tube from my Bondtech extruder to the Copperhead, but I don't have the tools or patience to drill out the other fittings as others have suggested.

Just for reference, Bondtech lists an all-metal PC4-G1/8" at US$5.25, so Dyze charging US$3.21 (CA$4) doesn't seem too bad for a custom, (probably) low-volume part.  My shipping was actually only US$15, and that tends to be the going rate for low-volume small boxes by FedEx. (While I was typing this, I got a pickup notification from FedEx...)

RE: testing an alternative source

With Aliexpress you have to be careful. The description "push through" usually does not apply, which means that you wait a few weeks for delivery and then have to drill out. By the way, I did it with a drill, reamer and battery screwdriver, because I don't have a lathe.

wbr,

Karl

ali

got mine from ali, no pushthrough.

shoved some tube in there and drilled it very carefully with a 4.5mm bit, works fine so far

Dyze Design M8x1.25 PushFit

If anyone is interested - I went ahead and clicked on order for the Dyze Design M8x1.25 push fit / pass through connectors.

STAY AWAY.

- There is 1mm movement / play once the tube is inserted.

- The tolerances on all the connectors I purchased are so tight that removing the tube (really have to pull hard) strips the OD tube producing shavings that will fall into whatever you're threaded into.

Sent an email to the company but no response yet. Really disappointed 🙁

RE: Dyze Design M8x1.25 PushFit

This is of course annoying. You can try to carefully rework the holes with a 4.1mm drill (I also had to do this with the Ali push fits). The push fit hole diameter of 3.95mm was simply too small for the 4/2mm PTFE.

wbr,

Karl

No 1mm play but I do have the shavings

Posted by: @jmn

- There is 1mm movement / play once the tube is inserted.

- The tolerances on all the connectors I purchased are so tight that removing the tube (really have to pull hard) strips the OD tube producing shavings that will fall into whatever you're threaded into.

I picked them up as well. I haven't noticed the play, mine are tight in the hotend and extruder. I did notice though that after pushing the PTFE through the bit at the top (I honestly have no idea what to call it) could be pulled up more, so I had some different sized bowden clamps that I found one to fit and it keeps it snugged up.

As for the shavings, yep got that, and it sucks. I'm testing out so new filament, trying to figure out the right temperature for it and I was getting random clogs. Multiple cold pulls and playing with some sticky cleaning filament and I removed a nice bit of PTFE shavings from inside the heatbreak.

I'll be interested to hear what they have to say.

RE: clip not included 🙁

I haven't had a need to remove the tube on mine since I swapped in the copperhead hotend, but I did notice the play causing problems with retraction.  odd that the copperhead came with a clip and these fittings did not, so I found one that worked (Z scaled to 60%): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4721314

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

Hi all

Think I will also do this mod on my new mini.

Could we not just drill and tap the hole on the extruder and hot end to m10?

Seems like m6 and m10 connectors are widely available.

Cheers

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

Scrap that, just looking at it and m10 would be too wide unfortunately.

RE:

be careful on the ali express listing for the M8 x 1.25 - ordered a few more and they ended up sending a mix of different threads one being the incorrect M8 x 1 - all holes are also undersize which most people have already mentioned previously 

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

I have been chatting with Bondtech and showed them this thread back in Dec of last year. They recently got back to me saying that they found a manufacturer and will be offering this connection "early this year"....fingers crossed !

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

The M8x1.25 push trough fittings from Aliexpress are all not useable without reworking. The description in the offers are often confusing. But I nevertheless ordered from Aliexpress and reworked the fittings on a lathe. Also works with a cordless screwdriver and a drill and / or reamer.

wbr,

Karl

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

are all not useable without reworking.

That is if you're looking for push-through. I use them and keep a small piece of PTFE tube inside the hotend (kind of like the original one), and they work fine in that scenario.

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

I contacted bondtech to get an update on the fittings that @JMN mentioned and got the following reply:

Our latest design is in the machine shop for prototype manufacturing.We still have some additional weeks before we have something well tested and good to launch.

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

Would these work? 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFK7YWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I just received them this week but have not tried them yet.

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

HA! Clicked on the link to check it out and found I had ordered them already last August.  The ones I received were NOT pass through and had to be drilled out.

Posted by: @kevman

Would these work? 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFK7YWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I just received them this week but have not tried them yet.

RE: PC4 M8x1.25 Bowden Pneumatic Connectors

Posted by: @kevman

Would these work? 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFK7YWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I just received them this week but have not tried them yet.

Yes, but you might need to drill them out.  I have never found them where you didn't.  

Posted by: @bmorgenthaler

HA! Clicked on the link to check it out and found I had ordered them already last August.  The ones I received were NOT pass through and had to be drilled out.

Posted by: @kevman

Would these work? 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QFK7YWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

I just received them this week but have not tried them yet.

 

Me, too.