How tight is the idler block supposed to be for the Wades Geared Extruder? Is it supposed to be so tight that the spring are completely compressed? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186512#msg-186512 Sun, 09 Aug 2026 03:20:07 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,194038#msg-194038 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,194038#msg-194038 JRMN General Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:12:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193974#msg-193974 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193974#msg-193974
If interested, check out their spring selection in the "Power Transmission" section. It seems the springs come in packs of 10, and most are about US $16-18 for that, so it's pricey but the spring spec filtering is good. Hint: click the "see all springs in this family" link when you get a list of spring types. That's where you can fine tune spring length.

It's been a couple years since I last ordered from Small Parts, but I currently have an order for some springs good for mounting the heated bed. Local hobby and home improvement bigbox stores just don't have parts like this.]]> BrentB General Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:42:04 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193639#msg-193639 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193639#msg-193639 JRMN General Thu, 21 Mar 2013 13:46:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193385#msg-193385 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193385#msg-193385 tattooedfish General Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:51:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193363#msg-193363 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,193363#msg-193363 JRMN General Wed, 20 Mar 2013 13:25:35 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,188085#msg-188085 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,188085#msg-188085 -------------------------------------------------------
> Sorry for the late reply guys. I got sidetracked
> and just now remembered I posted this question. I
> should have sometime this weekend to play around
> with it a bit. I have been building my 3D in my
> spare time, which is rare since the birth of my
> daughter. I think I bought my kit back in
> December of 2011 and if I remember correctly there
> were two different sets of spring. I'll check the
> other set of springs and see if they are stronger
> because I can tell you the ones I have install
> right now springs are completely compressed.
>
> Anyone have a good source for springs?


As Greg had mentioned, using (small) silicone O-rings is a great solution. You can use 2 or 3 on a bolt for more "give".

The best way to implement this is alternating washer, O-ring, washer, O-ring, washer. This way the O-rings cannot press over each other or slip over the bolt head.

SeeMeCNC's Steve's extruder implements this setup.]]> xclusive585 General Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:56:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,188071#msg-188071 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,188071#msg-188071 JRMN General Wed, 27 Feb 2013 11:53:31 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187738#msg-187738 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187738#msg-187738
If you do a search (EDIT: ie, google etc) for "small springs" you'll find a variety of mfg and distributor channels that offer a wide variety of coil springs. You can choose the inner and outer diameter, length, compression force, etc. You do not have to defer to Home Depot or Lowes...

An example company is Century Spring

good luck]]> xiando General Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:27:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187657#msg-187657 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187657#msg-187657
You need to work it a bit, and then take out the slack though.

Vik :v)]]> VikOlliver General Tue, 26 Feb 2013 00:25:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187635#msg-187635 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187635#msg-187635 waitaki General Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:41:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187528#msg-187528 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,187528#msg-187528
Anyone have a good source for springs?]]> JRMN General Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:27:42 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186611#msg-186611 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186611#msg-186611
if your extrude starts to slip your hobbed bolt teeth with become saturated and overloaded quickly, reducing amount of grip the next time it bites feedstock.]]> jamesdanielv General Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:57:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186607#msg-186607 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186607#msg-186607 Greg Frost General Thu, 21 Feb 2013 16:50:50 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186579#msg-186579 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186579#msg-186579 nophead General Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:32:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186517#msg-186517 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186517#msg-186517 xclusive585 General Thu, 21 Feb 2013 12:19:58 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186512#msg-186512 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,186512,186512#msg-186512 JRMN General Thu, 21 Feb 2013 11:58:29 -0500