1. Got a question or need help troubleshooting? Post to the troubleshooting forum or Search the forums!

Solved Stainless steel print nozzles

Discussion in 'General Questions' started by John Huggins, Oct 11, 2016.

  1. John Huggins

    John Huggins Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2015
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    6
    Has anyone tried using a stainless steel nozzle on a Robo3D R1+ as a replacement for the brass nozzle. If so any changes or adjustments that need to be made or done to help get good or better prints?
     
    #1 John Huggins, Oct 11, 2016
  2. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    6,757
    Likes Received:
    2,339
    Hi John, I haven't used stainless but do use hardened. With hardened it requires higher hear, I imagine the stainless would be similar
     
    #2 Geof, Oct 11, 2016
  3. John Huggins

    John Huggins Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2015
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    6
    Thanks, I will keep that in mind if I try them. Where do you get your hardened nozzles and what size do you use for the majrity of your prints?
     
    #3 John Huggins, Oct 11, 2016
  4. Geof

    Geof Volunteer Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    6,757
    Likes Received:
    2,339
    #4 Geof, Oct 11, 2016
  5. danzca6

    danzca6 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2015
    Messages:
    2,161
    Likes Received:
    1,077
    Any nozzle that is compatible with the e3d is compatible with the hexogon as well. Just a quick tip when you are searching for new nozzles. Might have to double check your z offset after replacing as well.
     
    #5 danzca6, Oct 11, 2016
  6. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    A word of caution about Stainless Steel nozzles, make sure you are buying them for the correct reason. Stainless steel nozzles were made for the needs of the food industry. Brass is an alloy that contains Lead and as such leaves trace amounts of Lead in your printed model. Stainless Steel nozzles are not made specifically to lengthen the working life of your nozzle. They also do not prolong the useful life if you use abrasive filaments. Then there is the uneven heat distribution of Stainless Steel. The do not heat as uniformly as brass nozzles do. The last issue is the cost, for the marginal advantages, if any at all, their cost to performance ratio is rather low. If you can understand those limitations then experiment with Stainless Steel nozzles.

    If you want good performance/price value stick with brass (which can be bought very cheaply even from Amazon).
    If you need your nozzle to withstand abrasive materials move to hardened steel nozzles.
    If your models will be used with food or in medical applications then Stainless Steel is your choice.
     
    #6 WheresWaldo, Oct 11, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 12, 2016
    Rigmarol likes this.
  7. John Huggins

    John Huggins Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2015
    Messages:
    31
    Likes Received:
    6
    Thanks to all for your answers, and Thanks Waldo for your explanation about stainless steel nozzles. I was looking at them for the wrong reasons, and would have wondered down a trail I did not need to go on. Thanks a bunch. If anything, I will look into the hardened nozzles. I am looking for something that will not wear down or will hold the size a bit better than the brass ones do. Thanks again to you all.
     
    #7 John Huggins, Oct 12, 2016
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  8. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    I usually buy brass nozzles in lots of 5 or 10 at a time, they are easy to replace and should be done at regular usage intervals, I can buy a lot of brass nozzles for the cost of on hardened nozzle. But, I rarely use abrasive filaments, I have some samples that were sent to me, but I typically don't use them for general use.
     
    #8 WheresWaldo, Oct 12, 2016
  9. danzca6

    danzca6 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2015
    Messages:
    2,161
    Likes Received:
    1,077
    If you have a hardened nozzle @WheresWaldo, why wouldn't you use it for everyday printing as well as abrasive filaments?
     
    #9 danzca6, Oct 12, 2016
  10. mark tomlinson

    mark tomlinson ༼ つ ◕_ ◕ ༽つ
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2013
    Messages:
    23,914
    Likes Received:
    7,338
    I use a hardened nozzle routinely on one (just happens to be the one with the volcano). Still using brass on the other.
     
    #10 mark tomlinson, Oct 12, 2016
  11. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    @danzca6
    I don't use hardened nozzles, no point if all I am printing with is PETG or PLA
     
    #11 WheresWaldo, Oct 12, 2016
    Geof and mark tomlinson like this.
  12. Rigmarol

    Rigmarol Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2016
    Messages:
    544
    Likes Received:
    280
    #12 Rigmarol, Oct 12, 2016
    mark tomlinson likes this.
  13. WheresWaldo

    WheresWaldo Volunteer ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡°)
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2015
    Messages:
    5,905
    Likes Received:
    3,593
    @Rigmarol I buy them like that too, works out much cheaper and if I occasionally use an abrasive filament, I don't feel bad tossing the nozzle after I am done.
     
    #13 WheresWaldo, Oct 12, 2016
    Geof, Rigmarol and mark tomlinson like this.

Share This Page