Hot End Wiggle

[N5QM]

All,

I have taken note of some "wiggle" on the hot end.

Should I be using a spacer or something between the mounting plate and the hot end to hold it more firmly? I expect this must have some impact on print quality.

[printbus]

Hexagon? I've always felt mine fits pretty loose on the aluminum grooved plate. I used to try adding some kapton as fill in the channel between the hot end and grooved plate, but that's pretty hard to get consistent. On my last extruder build, I kept adding layers of wide kapton to the round end of the hot end, trimming it for the OD of the hot end and the filament hole. Took quite a few layers before I felt the hot end was held firmly. I'll likely print some spacer disks of different thicknesses and use one of those the next time I have the extruder all apart.

[N5QM]

Kevin,

Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to. Mine seems pretty loose, I will experiment with printing some spacers and see what happens.

[rhonal89]

Mine is currently loose also. If you hold the heater and move it side to side it will move. Also hexagon.

Kevin,

Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to. Mine seems pretty loose, I will experiment with printing some spacers and see what happens.

[hernejj]

Has anyone noticed any quality issues? Or are we just being proactive in attempting to fix this?

[printbus]

Personally, I was proactive starting with the initial build of my printer. I just figured there was no way that having a loose-fitting hot end would *improve* print quality.

[pichuete]

i had the same issue with my hexagon . for some reason my extruder seems to fit better if i flip the metal plate . so the grove will be facing down . i know its not the correct way to install it but hey.. it worked for me.

[Chadd]

I put a .015" plastic shim inbetween the hotend and the extruder base and it got rid of the wiggle. I cut the shim circular and put a hole in the center for the filament to feed through.

[N5QM]

Guys, here are some "washers" to help. I made them in three thicknesses so you can see which works best for you.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:682001

[paintz2007]

i had the same issue with my hexagon . for some reason my extruder seems to fit better if i flip the metal plate . so the grove will be facing down . i know its not the correct way to install it but hey.. it worked for me.

I thought this was how it was supposed to fit?? o well no wiggle here