I have a Wanhao i3, it's a V1 model... or close to it. I know that it's not a Version 2, but it seems to be a slightly revised version of the Model 1. It came in two pieces instead of one, and already had the gaskets installed on the Z-axis motors, but many other improvements such as not having the crimped extruder wires out of the drag chain or the fix to the heated bed burning out the main board.
A few months ago I asked for advice on some upgrades for my printer and metal parts I could use to replace plastic ones, here:
https://www.3dprintingforum.org/3d-p...ring-block-mod
I got a lot of useful feedback from the replies from there and other boards. Overall, I am definitely going to get the all-metal hotend and extruder parts, and likely get the Z-Braces as well. The only part I am still unsure of is the Carriage Plate.
I also got some VERY important information about a flaw in the way my heatbed is wired and advice about purchasing a MOSFET module to install into my control box to fix that issue.
So now, I am mostly set and ready to purchase most of these upgrades and replacements. The only one I am not sure of and still need advice on what parts to purchase is the Bearing Block Mod:
https://3dprinterwiki.info/di3-mods/bearing-block-mod/
Namely, I am a little confused on what the terminology of the parts are and which ones to purchase to improve the printer.
First of all, to make sure I got the terminology right. The cylinder-shaped part is called the linear bearing, and the part it goes into that will screw onto the printer is called the bearing block, right? Though I have sometimes seen the bearing blocks referred to as a pillow block instead.
I was recommended to replace the linear bearings that the Wanhao comes with (which are model SCS8UU I believe) with longer ones that are model LM8LUU. I couldn't find a good supplier for these however. I saw a few on Amazon, but the reviews were mixed with many complaining about some being defective or off-spec... and the only other place I found was AliExpress...
I had someone recommend McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-linear-bearings/
Are those overkill? If I am reading the prices right, they seem to be about $16-17 each, and I am confused about the large selection, especially since some of them seem to come with the linear bearings already attached to them. I was also told I might have to "press fit" the linear bearings into the bearing blocks if I got them separate, but I am not sure what that is.
I was also told about this kit: https://ultimate3dprintingstore.com/...on-kit-i3-v2-1
Is it any good in terms of quality? It seems to primarily be designed for a V2 to V2.1 upgrade, but the compatibility states it works on V1 models. I am mainly confused where I can get good quality linear bearings/bearing blocks since many of the places seem to be of low quality, and which ones specifically to get.
Also, I heard some conflicting reports from some that this will increase my X-axis range, while others claimed it will decrease it. Can anyone confirm either of these? I have a part I want to print that I test-printed before at low settings, and it just BARELY fit within the maximum X and Y margins of my printer. I don't care if it doesn't increase it, I just don't want it to decrease it since then I won't be able to print that part.
Finally, would there be any point in also replacing the linear bearing/bearing blocks on my Y axis, or no?
A few months ago I asked for advice on some upgrades for my printer and metal parts I could use to replace plastic ones, here:
https://www.3dprintingforum.org/3d-p...ring-block-mod
I got a lot of useful feedback from the replies from there and other boards. Overall, I am definitely going to get the all-metal hotend and extruder parts, and likely get the Z-Braces as well. The only part I am still unsure of is the Carriage Plate.
I also got some VERY important information about a flaw in the way my heatbed is wired and advice about purchasing a MOSFET module to install into my control box to fix that issue.
So now, I am mostly set and ready to purchase most of these upgrades and replacements. The only one I am not sure of and still need advice on what parts to purchase is the Bearing Block Mod:
https://3dprinterwiki.info/di3-mods/bearing-block-mod/
Namely, I am a little confused on what the terminology of the parts are and which ones to purchase to improve the printer.
First of all, to make sure I got the terminology right. The cylinder-shaped part is called the linear bearing, and the part it goes into that will screw onto the printer is called the bearing block, right? Though I have sometimes seen the bearing blocks referred to as a pillow block instead.
I was recommended to replace the linear bearings that the Wanhao comes with (which are model SCS8UU I believe) with longer ones that are model LM8LUU. I couldn't find a good supplier for these however. I saw a few on Amazon, but the reviews were mixed with many complaining about some being defective or off-spec... and the only other place I found was AliExpress...
I had someone recommend McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-linear-bearings/
Are those overkill? If I am reading the prices right, they seem to be about $16-17 each, and I am confused about the large selection, especially since some of them seem to come with the linear bearings already attached to them. I was also told I might have to "press fit" the linear bearings into the bearing blocks if I got them separate, but I am not sure what that is.
I was also told about this kit: https://ultimate3dprintingstore.com/...on-kit-i3-v2-1
Is it any good in terms of quality? It seems to primarily be designed for a V2 to V2.1 upgrade, but the compatibility states it works on V1 models. I am mainly confused where I can get good quality linear bearings/bearing blocks since many of the places seem to be of low quality, and which ones specifically to get.
Also, I heard some conflicting reports from some that this will increase my X-axis range, while others claimed it will decrease it. Can anyone confirm either of these? I have a part I want to print that I test-printed before at low settings, and it just BARELY fit within the maximum X and Y margins of my printer. I don't care if it doesn't increase it, I just don't want it to decrease it since then I won't be able to print that part.
Finally, would there be any point in also replacing the linear bearing/bearing blocks on my Y axis, or no?
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