Maintain your 3D Printer and get great prints!

In this video I'll show you how I maintain my 3D Printers to keep them producing great 3D Prints after hundreds of hours of use.

This video covers maintenance of my Ender 3, but applies to all FDM/FFF 3D printers.

[FilamentFriday]

Very Nice summary of maintenance tips. And thanks for the mention.

[solosailorsv]

Great Maintenance List, Angus !!
1) Print a reference item like a Benchi for Before/After reference.
2) Invert and clean generally, esp V-Grooves
3) Check tightness at the Z Servo Coupler screws
4) Inspect all limit switches and wires
5) Loosen rollers & belts and clean / inspect for wear
6) Re-tension belt rollers.
7) Inspect Hot End for Nozzle wear, chafing wires
8) Trim PTFE at Nozzle, clean with scrap filament/ IPA
9) Check all MODs for their unique issues
10) Clean/vacuum out all fan apertures. Install fan debris guards.
11) Lube Lead Screws lightly, clean up any excess, align Screw bearings
12) Inspect Heater Bed wires, connectors. Solder is preferred over crimping
13) Clean under any removable printing (magnetic) for flatness
14) Update Firmware (optional)
15) Level bed, checking many areas for warping.
16) Re-Print the reference item (Benchi) and enjoy!

[TreePDX]

I literally told myself this morning "I'm gonna try to tune my ender 3 today." Open up YouTube for something to watch during breakfast and found this, perfect timing!

[mimked]

"When your machine is apart, it's a great time to print some new upgrades."

Unless you have a second machine, it's better to print any necessary parts BEFORE you disassemble the machine.

[JohnClark-ttbl]

In 2040: Angus here, I finally ran out of grease!

[yksw]

I'm always amazed how carefully you collect information and bring them over to us. I appreciate much the work you put into this quality channel!

[tatsuhirosatou]

Definitely lube the lead screw my ender3 was having the z axis bind at 5mm point every print and just make a mess and the issue was totally resolved by greasing the screw.

[noisyaudio]

To fix the LCD lines, remove the LCD bezel, clean the two elastomeric strips and contacts on the PCB with alcohol, then reassemble.

[sia_josephine]

I always think it’s cool when content creators shoutout other creators like you did with Chep at the end! I’ve had my Ender 3s going on two years and I’m terrible about doing any tuning and maintenance. I just cleaned and lubricated the rods for the first time last weekend. 😳

[Technicallyaddicted]

Ender 3 pro. I have more than the cost of the printer in mods. Full Capricorn, full Swiss, brass nozzles, glass bed, 32bit controller, 2nd Z axis, and it’s a beast. I haven’t had an issue in 1000hrs and that’s operating time. Resin printers are better for models and detail, but I’ve printed over 1000 functional mechanical parts about 90% of which have been working for years straight. Also lithium grease is your friend.

[esrevinu.]

Great video as usual, ... just watched Chucks video, he gave a shout out to you, then I watched this video, you gave a shout out to him, ... classy. You have both, along with Michael over at Teaching Tech, been 100% of the reason I am still printing. Any issues I have ever encountered, ... you guys seem to have the fix. True professionals, great content, and a helpful and caring community. Keep up the great work. and thank you so much for all of the help and advice over the years!

[andrecook]

Angus: Maintain your 3d printer.
Me: Yes Mum.

[RobertoCecchi]

Thank you for this... Maintenance is one of my biggest (3d printing) worries at this time!

[ForthviewDevelopments]

I picked up an ender 3 last month and it's been great for prototyping, I started with Chuck's Cura profiles and they work a treat, I've had consistently good prints with PLA. My only gripe (so far) would be the couplers on the Bowden tubes which seem to spit the PTFE out at the extruder and I can''t seem to get rid of the elephant foot unless I print on a raft. Wish I'd got into 3d printing years ago, haven't had this much fun in years

[Slushee]

I looove doing maintenance to my ender 3 pro. Check the belts, lubricate the Y rod, remove all the debris from the wheels, vacuum the slots, check the cables, remove all the dust from the fans, clean the nozzle, give it a wipe with IPA...
It sounds like boring work but it's fun for me!

[TS_Mind_Swept]

Lots of good tips here, a few I can work on right now, as few to address in the near future, and a few for down the road; definitely going to save this video

[mozkitolife]

I received an Ender 3 on Friday! Great timing! Cheer, Angus.

[delscoville]

Just finished maintaining my MP Mini Delta. This is a printer that needs help out of the box! But pleased with it after some work. MP advertises it as an introductory printer that works out of the box, but that's not even close to the truth unless only the very center of the bad is used. Printing bigger causes the nozzle to dig into the bed.

[enzoruberto]

I literally bought the pro one like 4 hours ago dang

[SteelShadowAnimations]

Perfect timing, as I was just about to do my maintenance on my Ender 3 Pro and CR-X.