Hi, I have just completed a mcwire style cartesian bot controled with reprap software running on an Arduino board. I'm extremely impressed with the accuracy of the design and ease of use of the sofware! I've got it running with a dremel mounted to the z axis and it engraves text and cuts out 5mm perspex beautifully! But now i want to build an extruder assembly for it in the hope of being able to print out parts for a Mendel. My question is which extruder should I use? there seem to be quite a few different types on the reprap wiki. Which one is best for someone who has no access to printed parts (but does have a lathe). Many thanks for your help ro https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41209#msg-41209 Thu, 21 May 2026 10:17:28 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41452#msg-41452 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41452#msg-41452 Stepper Motors wiki page - even if you scavenged them), then please update the wiki or let me know which Stepper you're using so that we can document this.

If we can figure out approximately how much torque the direct driver extruder requires in the process, all the better. :D]]> Cefiar General Fri, 02 Apr 2010 23:28:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41415#msg-41415 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41415#msg-41415 jbayless General Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:07:27 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41401#msg-41401 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41401#msg-41401
Rob.]]> robsweet General Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:57:33 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41381#msg-41381 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41381#msg-41381
Would I notice much difference in the end result between the geared pinchwheel design and the direct drive design?]]> ro General Fri, 02 Apr 2010 06:14:03 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41349#msg-41349 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41349#msg-41349 james glanville General Thu, 01 Apr 2010 18:56:05 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41328#msg-41328 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41328#msg-41328 objects.reprap.org]

A variation that gives you more torque and a smaller step size is Wade's geared extruder.]]> mccoyn General Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:30:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41296#msg-41296 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41296#msg-41296 ro General Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:06:30 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41212#msg-41212 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41212#msg-41212
[kirbyandco.blogspot.com]

Personally, I took apart my stepper, wrapped the rotor in tape to prevent swarf gnarling it up, then made a wooden jig to attach the bearings to the lathe toolrest. I used an M5 tap, M3-6 is probably best. My extruder is incredibly hackish:

[picasaweb.google.co.uk]

but works great, if you're designing it yourself you should make sure you push the filament against the motor shaft with springs to maximise grip. If you can find strongish gears, you might get better results gearing the stepper down first, but its more effort to build.
For the hot end, its pretty easy to turn a nozzle on a lathe, I'm using power resistors as heaters which seems to work well, but others have had good luck with nichrome+kapton.]]> james glanville General Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:00:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41209#msg-41209 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,41209,41209#msg-41209 I'm extremely impressed with the accuracy of the design and ease of use of the sofware!

I've got it running with a dremel mounted to the z axis and it engraves text and cuts out 5mm perspex beautifully! But now i want to build an extruder assembly for it in the hope of being able to print out parts for a Mendel.

My question is which extruder should I use? there seem to be quite a few different types on the reprap wiki. Which one is best for someone who has no access to printed parts (but does have a lathe).

Many thanks for your help

ro]]> ro General Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:19:26 -0400