Convert TAZ4 to 1.75 filament!

In this guide, we're going to show you how to convert the TAZ4 filament extruder from 3mm diameter to 1.75mm.

Our update to the extruder makes an improvement to the mount, allowing better feedrate and retraction.

3mm vs 1.75mm

Apart from being very similar, there's three minor advantages to printing with one over the other. Our main reasoning was we have lots of spools of 1.75mm filament!

1.75mm filament is quicker to heat up.

Requires less pressure to feed.

Prints higher resolution on smaller parts.

Parts & Suppies

• 2.0 Budaschnozzle
• 1.75mm PTFE tube
• Updated extruder mount STLs

This conversion requires a pair of Teflon tubes that are used to guide the filament into the threaded extension. The tube on the left is the default tube that works with 3mm. The tube on the right has a noticeably smaller diameter, meant to support 1.75mm.

Tools

• 13mm socket wrench
• Taz 4
• Screwdriver Set
• Flat Pliers

We have most of the tools in the shop for making this happen, but you're welcome to improvise.

The extruder features a modular design making this an easy upgrade. It's mostly composed of 3d printed parts that are available for download.

Our update to the guilder relieves top pressure, allows retraction and prevents the filament from kinking making loading nice and smooth.

The fully assembled Budaschnozzle extruder will allow you to print with 1.75mm diameter filament.

Setting for printing with 1.75mm

Retraction Distance:
1.7mm

Retraction Speed:
1200 mm/min

Print Speed (Travel Rate):
5600 mm/min

FeedRate:
4800 mm/min

E-Step Settings for 1.75mm

"Wade" extruders use a NEMA motor to drive a large reduction gear that turns a "hobbed bolt." We'll need to edit the E-steps that turns the gear, rotation moves using the numbers below:

+0857.1

You'll need to print the three updated parts for using 1.75 filament. The Wade Extruder, Flexystruder and Guidler have been update to allow 1.75 filament!

Flexystruder

The Flexystruder works best with our ninjaflex filament. We recommend using two extruders if you plan to switch between filaments or dual print.

Guidler

The updated Guidler includes a tube that helps guide the filament to the bearing without it kinking.

Support Removal

Print all parts without supports, the model includes support structures under the bearing slot.

Support Removed

Here's what the part should look like after the support material has been removed. Don't sorry about the discoloring!

Drive Gears

Take care when removing the big and small gears. Dont' worry if they get to dirty or break, just print another set out!

To convert the default extruder from using 3mm filament to 1.75, you'll need to disassemble the default extruder.

Disconnect Extruder Mount

Disconnect the cable from the extruder that contains three wires for the fan, motor and heater block.

Remove Extruder Mount from Gantry

Use a 2.5 mm hex bit to unfasten the screw and release the extruder mount assembly.

Remove Fan from Extruder Mount

Unfasten the two screws that are holding the fan to the extruder mount.

Unfasten Budaschnozzle

Turn to the mount on it's side, switch to a 3mm hex bit and loosen both screws from the assembly.

Remove Budaschnozzle

Move the extruder and motor aside. The metal mount plate is attached the nozzle and heater block.

Unfasten Two Screws from Budaschnozzle

Remove the mount plate by unscrewing the the two 2.5 hex screws from the wooden aligners.

Remove Metal Plate from Budaschnozzle

The mount plate is aligned to PTFE tube, use slight force to pull the plate off.

Detach PTFE Tube from Isolator

Use a side to side pulling motion to remove the bottom PTFE tube from the PEEK Isolator.

PTFE Tube removed from Isolator

Take care not to bend any of the wires to the heater block.

Clean Isolator

Use a sharp needle to poke out the left over filament remaining around the PEEK Isolator.

Remove Heat Sink and Washers

Slide each heat sink blade and washer off the PTFE tube one by one.

Replace PTFE Tubes

Switch out the 3mm PTFE and switch it out for the 1.75 version. Slide on each heat sink blade and washer.

Attach Isolator

Align the wooden plates so that the heater block cutouts match up with the wiring.

Reassemble Budaschnozzle

Hold the plate on top of the wooden aligner and add both screws to reassemble.

Yay, our nozzle can now fit 1.75mm filament! Next We'll move the motor and gears over to the updated extruder mount.

Extruder Mounts

The Flexystruder works best with our ninjaflex filament. We recommend using two extruders if you plan to switch between filaments or dual print. The mount on the left is for hard plastic filament, while the mount on the right is for flexible filament.

Unfasten nut from Extruder

Use a 13mm socket to loosen the large gear nut in the center of the bearing.

Remove Gears

Rotate the small gear until you see the small screw. Loosen the small screw using a 1.5mm hex bit. Remove the gears by lifting both up at the same time.

Move Motor to New Mount

Swap the motor into the new extruder mount. Switch to a 2.5mm hex bit and loosen to the screws holding the motor to the mount.

Add washers to new mount

Reuse the three washers in the new extruder mount from the previous extruder mount.

Install Motor to New Extruder Mount

Align the motor to the holes on the mount. Reuse the 2.5mm hex screws and secure the motor onto the new mount.

Install Front Washer and Bearing

Insert the washer into the grooves of the new mount and place the bearing on top.

Assemble Gears

Slide both gears into the new extruder mount by placing them in at the same time.

Fasten Small Gear to Motor

Reuse the tiny nut inside the small gear. Fasten the small screw to securely hold the gear to the motor.

Reuse parts from Guidler

Remove the bearing and small nut from the previous guidler. We will reuse the small nut, screw, bearing and bearing bolt pieces on the new deign.

Install Nut to New Guidler

Place the small nut back into grove of the left mounting tab. The small nut holds the guidler arm to the extruder mount.

Install Bearing to New Guidler

Snap the bearing and bolt into the the new guidler grove. The bearing pushes the filament up against the gear teeth that pull it down to the Threaded Extension and into the nozzle.

Add New Guidler to New Extruder Mount

Line up the guidler with the new extruder mount and tighten the screw and washer.

Reuse the small washer from the extruder mount on the new design.

Assemble Extruder

Align the extruder and Budaschnozzle over the assembled mount.

Attach Budaschnozzle

Screw the nut closest to the motor first by hold it down with your finger.

Attach Fan

Position the fan on the new mount extruder. Fasten the the two screws to secure it onto the new mount.

Connect Cables

Reconnect the fan, motor and extruder cables.

Attach New Extruder Mount to Gantry

Fasten the single screw in the top center of the extruder mount to secure it to the gantry.

Loading ABS / PLA

To load or unload filament, we recommend controlling TAZ4 through a slicing program like Simplify3D. In the jobs control section, run the extrude / retract script.

While the Budaschnozzle is extruding, load ABS / PLA by passing it through the filament guide first, then use the latch to clap the filament against the gear teeth. Tighten the two screws until you can feel a good grip on the filament.

Loading Flexible Filaments

To load ninjaflex, use a mm threaded screw to tight the filament up against the gear teeth. If ninjaflex doesn't load, make sure that you have pushed all of the previous filament out with a long needle poker thats comes with the TAZ4 toolset.

1.75 Filament First Print Test

Once the filament is extruding, now you need to run a test print!

We recommend printing an object that takes about a half hour to test for print stability. Watch the first couple of layers to insure extrusion is even and not clogging. If your filament is having issues extruding, try using our recommended slicing settings.

Extruder Temperature
PLA: 240
ABS: 240
ABS Heat Bed: 120
Ninjaflex: 235

Retraction Distance:
1.7mm

Retraction Speed:
1200 mm/min

Print Speed (Travel Rate):
5600 mm/min

FeedRate:
4800 mm/min