Hot End Thermistor install quesiton
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 2:17 am
So, I'm finally assembling my H1 that has been sitting in the closet for a long time (I know it's been a while but combined with frustration of the first few months of no instructions and then just lack of time to commit to it, I'm just getting around to it).
After struggling through the first 7 steps mostly because of having to make multiple trips to local hardware store for numerous missing parts. Did others have this much trouble with their kits being incomplete? Mine is pretty horrible with how inaccurately it was assembled, some pieces missing completely, others not having the proper number. I've even got some incorrect screws that simply aren't used anywhere that I can find (example, I've got 3 x 10-32 1 1/4" Socket Head Screws that I have not see needed anywhere, they aren't even on the parts list). I'm now finally getting to the hot end and extruder assembly. Doing some research online I see that it is a little discomforting how often people have melted their hot ends. The most common reason I see for it is the thermistor not being installed properly or coming out during usage. I don't want to melt my hot end so I'm trying to figure out the proper method for installing the thermistor.
My first question is if the thermistor I have is even going to work. I have a 100k (or maybe it's 10k? Don't remember for sure which it is.. I know I ordered the wrong one originally and then ordered the correct one later) thermistor, I can't tell you where I got it because it was ordered way back before the kit even shipped to me from the Indiegogo campaign, but it does not fit in the hole provided for it on the hot end assembly. The tip of it will sit in the hole, but the hole is a little over 1/16" wide and the thermistor at it's widest point is closer to 1/8"
Do I need a different thermistor that will sit all the way down into the hole? If so does anyone have a recommendation on where I can order one? Or will this thermistor work and I just have to make sure it actually stays there?
One other thought, I'm looking at this hot end, and I'm wondering why it wasn't simply made of all metal to avoid any chance of melting it in the first place? It looks like it should be a relatively simple component to make with metal, and if the hot end nozzle and resistor area can be made of metal I imagine the rest of it could be as well. I have seen other hot ends for sale, is it fairly easy to retrofit other style hot ends into the H1?
Thanks
EDIT: Nevermind about the thermistor fitment question. After thinking about the fact that I knew I remembered ordering the wrong one first I went digging and found the 2nd one I ordered that I didn't put in the parts box, it was laying on my shelf along with a hotbed I had ordered (which doesn't fit for the record lol). The proper 100k one fits in the hole just fine. I would still like to know about my other questions though, especially the hot end being metal. I'm seriously considering replacing this 3d printed tube that screws into the metal part of the hot end with a metal tube so that I don't have to worry about it melting. Just trying to figure out if there is some reason not to do that. It doesn't make sense to me to have a 3D printed piece that close to the heat, knowing the purpose of that heat is to melt plastic to use for 3D printing lol.
After struggling through the first 7 steps mostly because of having to make multiple trips to local hardware store for numerous missing parts. Did others have this much trouble with their kits being incomplete? Mine is pretty horrible with how inaccurately it was assembled, some pieces missing completely, others not having the proper number. I've even got some incorrect screws that simply aren't used anywhere that I can find (example, I've got 3 x 10-32 1 1/4" Socket Head Screws that I have not see needed anywhere, they aren't even on the parts list). I'm now finally getting to the hot end and extruder assembly. Doing some research online I see that it is a little discomforting how often people have melted their hot ends. The most common reason I see for it is the thermistor not being installed properly or coming out during usage. I don't want to melt my hot end so I'm trying to figure out the proper method for installing the thermistor.
My first question is if the thermistor I have is even going to work. I have a 100k (or maybe it's 10k? Don't remember for sure which it is.. I know I ordered the wrong one originally and then ordered the correct one later) thermistor, I can't tell you where I got it because it was ordered way back before the kit even shipped to me from the Indiegogo campaign, but it does not fit in the hole provided for it on the hot end assembly. The tip of it will sit in the hole, but the hole is a little over 1/16" wide and the thermistor at it's widest point is closer to 1/8"
Do I need a different thermistor that will sit all the way down into the hole? If so does anyone have a recommendation on where I can order one? Or will this thermistor work and I just have to make sure it actually stays there?
One other thought, I'm looking at this hot end, and I'm wondering why it wasn't simply made of all metal to avoid any chance of melting it in the first place? It looks like it should be a relatively simple component to make with metal, and if the hot end nozzle and resistor area can be made of metal I imagine the rest of it could be as well. I have seen other hot ends for sale, is it fairly easy to retrofit other style hot ends into the H1?
Thanks
EDIT: Nevermind about the thermistor fitment question. After thinking about the fact that I knew I remembered ordering the wrong one first I went digging and found the 2nd one I ordered that I didn't put in the parts box, it was laying on my shelf along with a hotbed I had ordered (which doesn't fit for the record lol). The proper 100k one fits in the hole just fine. I would still like to know about my other questions though, especially the hot end being metal. I'm seriously considering replacing this 3d printed tube that screws into the metal part of the hot end with a metal tube so that I don't have to worry about it melting. Just trying to figure out if there is some reason not to do that. It doesn't make sense to me to have a 3D printed piece that close to the heat, knowing the purpose of that heat is to melt plastic to use for 3D printing lol.