Hello! I havent printed too much, but have done enough to start looking at upgrades for my Ender 3 V2 with the stock V2.2 board. Mainly I’ve figured out that I want to go with a direct drive extruder and a more convenient hot end but as 3D printing has progressed a bit since I originally got my 3D printer to now I am having mild trouble on figuring out what is outdated information vs current. For example, im looking at something like a Micro Swiss DD with NG Revo hot end for simpler nozzle swaps but im not sure if there is a better solution.
Currently I primarily print with PLA but I have some TPU I want to print with and I may want to dabble in more abrasive filaments and potentially in the future I may want to look into some sort of multi filament system similar to an AMS but that is much down the road.
Are you experiencing any issues with your current setup? I ask because, you’re right, things are moving really quickly.
If you aren’t having any problems, it might be worth watching the marketplace for a while before upgrading your hot end. Especially if you want a multi filament system, you might eventually want to buy an additional printer.
I also run an Ender 3 V2 v2.2. it prints TPU pretty well without a direct drive upgrade. I’m still running the original hot end. No auto-leveler, no dual-Z kit. I upgraded the main fan, the springs, and the extruder. I added a Z stabilizer.
I’ve printed quite a bit with it - PLA, TPU, PETG. So, the original hardware can accomplish quite a lot without major upgrades.
I’m not saying this to dissuade you from upgrading. Upgrading is fun!
I’m saying this in case you don’t realize how much the printer can accomplish without upgrading. The 3v2 is a beast. Is it perfect? Heck no.
But you didn’t mention anything about being unhappy with the output. So it may be worth tinkering more with what you’ve got before you start swapping more parts.
I agree, if you’re not having issues and are otherwise happy with the output. I went the DD route after my extruder cracked, and at the time the (slight) speed increase I was able to get on my e3v2 was worth it. The NG setup is quite good if you do choose to go that route, however.
So yes, sorta. I was having some weird underextrusion and binding with the extruder which made me think the nozzle was clogged so I cleaned it and did several cold pulls to no avail then the problem just sorta slowly stopped happening. I realize now it could have been inconsistencies in the filament (Inland PLA +) Right when I stopped printing I started to have issues with my parts not adhering to the bed at all, tried some solutions both in the slicer, glue, tape ect and leveled the bed a bunch of times, last time I did it I leveled it really close to the nozzle to the point that it was really smushing the first layer into the bed which caused prints to stick entirely too well so Im pretty sure I know where that problem lies but im looking to get a flexible magnetic bed anyways. I know a hot end and extruder really wouldnt affect that of course. I just love tinkering with it which is half the reason I want to upgrade. Just looking for a little nudge in a direction so I can do some tinkering but not so much tinkering that im not able to enjoy what im tinkering on.
Funnily, my friend is practically giving me his old Ender 3 this week so Ill still have another printer to also mess around with. Who knows, I may build a Voron down the line.