New HotEnd

[Woolf]

Hi

I search for a new HotEnd to replace my currently.
Mostly I print with PLA.
The E3D shows really nice but maybe not the best for PLA.
I have see this http://shop.deltatower.ch/Extruder-und- ... ::324.html merlin HotEnd, it`s possible to use this with bowden?
Or it`s a other HotEnd better for PLA?

Thanks

[Eaglezsoar]

It has been pretty much confirmed that the best hotend for PLA is the J-head hotend available from Hotends.com You can also find mounts for it to allow it to use
the Bowden cables.

[bvandiepenbos]

I am using a J-Head from http://www.hotends.com on my MAX
It prints PLA really well. I have had zero problems.
For PLA you MUST run a cooling fan on the barrel. The stock SeeMe 25mm fan and shroud works but I recommend more airflow, I use a 30mm fan.
Thingiverse has options for J-Head mounts on the MAX.
Or get one of these http://www.tricklaser.com/J-Head-Groove ... JHGMNT.htm

Some people have good luck with E3D hot end and PLA, others have trouble... I bet it has to do with the barrel cooling fan, it should work fine with sufficient cooling air.
I have a E3D but have not tried it yet. Sure is a nicely made product. I expect it will perform well.

I have not heard of the Merlin hot end.

[geneb]

Brian, that mount is great! Do you use two 1/8" layers of light ply for the bottom of it? I love how you're using a T-nut to hold the PTC fitting.

g.

[bvandiepenbos]

Brian, that mount is great! Do you use two 1/8" layers of light ply for the bottom of it? I love how you're using a T-nut to hold the PTC fitting.

g.

Hi Gene,
Thanks for the compliment.
yes, 2 layers of 1/8" hobby plywood for base. I glue together with thin CA and soak CA into edges for added strength.
The top clamp piece is 1/4" melamine sheet, I also soak it with CA to make it super strong.

FYI... if you soak the melamine with thin CA glue it is very strong, you can even drill and tap it for machine screws! I made a melamine part with 6-32 threads and could note strip the threads out!

[Woolf]

Okey the J-Head looks really nice,
Currently I have three HotEnds that I like.

The E3D - maybe not the best for PLA
J-Head - looks great
merlin HotEnd - not seen any review looks great and I can buy here in Switzerland ( and the cheapest one )

have any one seen the merlin HotEnd in action?

[Polygonhell]

I'll reinforce the jhead vote, I wouldn't buy an E3D for PLA.
Haven't used a Merlin, the manufacturer/designer does post on the reprap forums, I wouldn't buy one right now, the design is new and the designer doesn't print PLA, but references others having done so.

[Woolf]

okey, then I will buy a J-Head.

I found this J-Head here in swiss http://www.fabberworld.com/Extruder-und ... e::68.html is this the original J-Head or a Chinese fake?

[Eaglezsoar]

okey, then I will buy a J-Head.

I found this J-Head here in swiss http://www.fabberworld.com/Extruder-und ... e::68.html is this the original J-Head or a Chinese fake?

That is a difficult question to answer because it looks like the real thing with the 5 cooling grooves and all. I have enclosed an image of a "real" J-Head from hotends.com and you can
see that they look identical. Except for the location of the cooling grooves.

[Woolf]

maybe its the best when I order on the hotends.com web side.

[Eaglezsoar]

maybe its the best when I order on the hotends.com web side.

It is the "official" J-Head. If it is not in stock, he only takes new orders on Friday starting at Noon. His time I think.

[Woolf]

I have ordererd one J-Head from the HotEnd.com site. When comes to me I will post the results.

thanks to all for the Help

[Jimustanguitar]

+1 for Brian's TrickLaser J-Head mount. I use it, and have been very happy.

[Woolf]

The J-head is Installed and the first prints are printed.

And YES!! its worth to change, the J-head is really a nice HotEnd.

[img]http://imageshack.com/a/img824/4906/hfn9.jpg[/img]

[int2str]

Hmmm, given it's size, the J-Head might be a good option for dual extrusion on our printers.... Jamming 2 E3Ds into the platform is pushing it, but two of these might be easier to accommodate.

Thoughts?

[Woolf]

Yes, I was surprised how small the J-Head is.
The J-Head is for a dual extrusion project a really good option, and the print quality goes up.