That hotend..... Great video, but proprietary nozzles that you have to order from Flashforge and wait for slow China shipping. No hardened nozzles for the machine either, at least not last time I checked. BTW that extruder is the same extruder they use on some of the Flashforge machines, that is why they probably went with it. It was cheap and already in use.
Thanks for the video. I like the printer for the all metal hotend and direct drive out of the box. I am looking to print high temp materials so this might be a cheap alternative to a Prusa.
I will take the original and the cash. I printed a direct drive plate for the ender 3, used a light pancake motor an all metal original single gear extruder and flexibles print like magic. Total cost? $12
Wish I had come across your channel before I purchased. I just set up my S2 and am brand new to the 3d printing world. My question is, would it be possible to put the Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder on this model and would it work seamlessly with the current software?
@@ModBotArmy Sadly its not. Its entirely proprietary sized. :( Its shorter than a volcano and longer than a mk8. The nozzle that comes with it is the wrong size. Oh and the block is also proprietary.
@@3DPrintSOS could you not use a standard volcano and have a bit of the throat sticking out? I have done similar with v6 nozzles on an mk8 style block. Wish they had gone with a more standard block. Do you know if a copperhead will work with it?
@@ModBotArmy You technically could use a volcano nozzle. The issue is then the block threads on like a nut, so it would move downward as well. You'd have to modify the shroud and cooling duct and the filament path would be a bit longer. So it's not just a drop in sadly. PLUS its brass...so abrasives will kill it quick. Additionally, there is PTFE lining most of that hotend. Just above that steel proprietary throat. So it's far enough away...but still weird to see in an "all metal hotend".
Thank you for this video. In the conclusion you said it would be better to upgrade a lower end Voxelab printer to direct drive. Can you share a link to your video on this? I would like to cost it out.
I have a Ender 3 pro and i did a direct drive upgrade. I got the machine for $189 on amazon awhile back and the direct drive upgrade for $35 about 2 months ago. very good purchase as TPU prints VERY nice
what is the difference between the Voxelab Aquila X2 3D Printer and the Voxelab Aquila S2 3D? which is preferable and why? Many thanks to those that answer.
They're effectively the same, except that the S2 is capable of printing at higher temperatures and has a direct drive extruder, where the X2 has a Bowden tube extruder. If you aren't looking at printing ABS or other high temp filaments, the X2 is probably enough, but at only about $40-50 more, the S2 is a little more future proof if you might expand to high temp printing.
My actual opinion though, is for that price point, I would rather go with other options that include auto bed leveling. I mean this IS 2022 and almost every printer is being shipped with ABL as standard now, and while I think some budget machines just won't work it into their sub $190 price range, with options like the Geeetech 3D Touch literally being under $10 with shipping included, they could easily add it onto every machine without it impacting the price. I just think some of these companies are going stagnant and just reviving their older machines with the bare minimum, but increasing the price.
As long as the abl is implemented correctly then I agree. I would still rather manual than a poorly implemented auto leveler. I have experienced both on creality when they first dabbled with able as well as a few printers that had implemented it poorly in firmware or used really bad inductive probes that I spent more time fighting with it and it was worse than manual. Granted it has been some time and agreed especially on these things beds that are warp prone. Abl and all metal hotends are what I want to see as a standard.
It is not something I was aware of. Block outwardly appears standard and removing a nozzle isn’t a part of testing process. After seeing the nozzle I am not entirely convinced you couldn’t use a volcano nozzle. Even if the throat is slightly longer it should work. It is what I currently do with v6 nozzles on an mk8 block.
@@ModBotArmy Someone made a mod to use one of the standard nozzle form factors you could install. But you have to do something like that, you can't just use a volcano nozzle apparently. But just my opinion, this is yet another thing you gotta do. Why not get a lower cost printer and just install a heatbreak into the stock hot end or drop a new hot end in? And then there's just the principal of the matter - I refuse to support with my money a printer that introduced a proprietary nozzle that adds literally ZERO functional advantage. Just... no.
The printer seems nice, but I seriously dislike that companies recently started using that "all-metal hot end" wording, when it's clearly not that (looking at you, Creality). You can't say it has a all metal hot end and then slap a standard brass nozzle on it. It's not like proper ones are expensive!
This is an upgrade machine that just isn’t worth it. I would not recommend this S2. The S1 is fine. And the $100 to upgrade it could be done much better yourself.
I appreciate the honest and thorough evaluation. Great job.
That hotend..... Great video, but proprietary nozzles that you have to order from Flashforge and wait for slow China shipping. No hardened nozzles for the machine either, at least not last time I checked.
BTW that extruder is the same extruder they use on some of the Flashforge machines, that is why they probably went with it. It was cheap and already in use.
I had a lot of issues with the extruder and hotend so i got rid of it
So what's the best printer for the money?
Great video as always 👍
Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us 👍 😀
Thanks for the video. I like the printer for the all metal hotend and direct drive out of the box. I am looking to print high temp materials so this might be a cheap alternative to a Prusa.
I will take the original and the cash.
I printed a direct drive plate for the ender 3, used a light pancake motor an all metal original single gear extruder and flexibles print like magic.
Total cost? $12
Wish I had come across your channel before I purchased. I just set up my S2 and am brand new to the 3d printing world. My question is, would it be possible to put the Creality Sprite Direct Drive Extruder on this model and would it work seamlessly with the current software?
I've heard that hotend uses a proprietary nozzle. It's not an off-the-shelf Mk8 (longer screw than standard). Could you confirm?
Looks almost like a volcano ruclips.net/user/shortsPvGom4ijve8?feature=share
Which is odd considering the block is fairly standard sized.
@@ModBotArmy Sadly its not. Its entirely proprietary sized. :( Its shorter than a volcano and longer than a mk8. The nozzle that comes with it is the wrong size. Oh and the block is also proprietary.
@@3DPrintSOS could you not use a standard volcano and have a bit of the throat sticking out? I have done similar with v6 nozzles on an mk8 style block. Wish they had gone with a more standard block. Do you know if a copperhead will work with it?
@@ModBotArmy You technically could use a volcano nozzle. The issue is then the block threads on like a nut, so it would move downward as well. You'd have to modify the shroud and cooling duct and the filament path would be a bit longer. So it's not just a drop in sadly. PLUS its brass...so abrasives will kill it quick.
Additionally, there is PTFE lining most of that hotend. Just above that steel proprietary throat. So it's far enough away...but still weird to see in an "all metal hotend".
Thank you for this video. In the conclusion you said it would be better to upgrade a lower end Voxelab printer to direct drive. Can you share a link to your video on this? I would like to cost it out.
Oh snap I saw my name in this video during the livestream chat. I'm famous now.
What machine would you reccomend at 300 for tpu?
I have a Ender 3 pro and i did a direct drive upgrade.
I got the machine for $189 on amazon awhile back and the direct drive upgrade for $35 about 2 months ago.
very good purchase as TPU prints VERY nice
Great video, but a any cubic cobra is better for just 20 bucks more
what is the difference between the Voxelab Aquila X2 3D Printer and the Voxelab Aquila S2 3D? which is preferable and why? Many thanks to those that answer.
They're effectively the same, except that the S2 is capable of printing at higher temperatures and has a direct drive extruder, where the X2 has a Bowden tube extruder. If you aren't looking at printing ABS or other high temp filaments, the X2 is probably enough, but at only about $40-50 more, the S2 is a little more future proof if you might expand to high temp printing.
This printer seems perfect, except that you can't get hardened nozzles for it.
you can use standard nozzles...
@@ComicMelon But not at high temperature, the longer nozzle is to reduce the heat on the PTFE.
So, apparently you've been looking at studio lights and stands, at least according to the Amazon page at the beginning. :}
My actual opinion though, is for that price point, I would rather go with other options that include auto bed leveling. I mean this IS 2022 and almost every printer is being shipped with ABL as standard now, and while I think some budget machines just won't work it into their sub $190 price range, with options like the Geeetech 3D Touch literally being under $10 with shipping included, they could easily add it onto every machine without it impacting the price. I just think some of these companies are going stagnant and just reviving their older machines with the bare minimum, but increasing the price.
As long as the abl is implemented correctly then I agree. I would still rather manual than a poorly implemented auto leveler. I have experienced both on creality when they first dabbled with able as well as a few printers that had implemented it poorly in firmware or used really bad inductive probes that I spent more time fighting with it and it was worse than manual. Granted it has been some time and agreed especially on these things beds that are warp prone. Abl and all metal hotends are what I want to see as a standard.
@@ModBotArmy yeah no doubt. the 3D Touch from Geeetech has been tested against the BL Touch and so far has had really positive response
One thing not mentioned in the video. The nozzle is proprietary form factor. For me, right off the bat - deal breaker. Absolutely no reason for it.
It is not something I was aware of. Block outwardly appears standard and removing a nozzle isn’t a part of testing process. After seeing the nozzle I am not entirely convinced you couldn’t use a volcano nozzle. Even if the throat is slightly longer it should work. It is what I currently do with v6 nozzles on an mk8 block.
@@ModBotArmy Someone made a mod to use one of the standard nozzle form factors you could install. But you have to do something like that, you can't just use a volcano nozzle apparently.
But just my opinion, this is yet another thing you gotta do. Why not get a lower cost printer and just install a heatbreak into the stock hot end or drop a new hot end in? And then there's just the principal of the matter - I refuse to support with my money a printer that introduced a proprietary nozzle that adds literally ZERO functional advantage. Just... no.
@@heroflying can you link the mod?
@@zombieno1 Negative. I heard about it second hand. Sorry.
@@heroflying qqaaaa0ap
Is it klipper
The printer seems nice, but I seriously dislike that companies recently started using that "all-metal hot end" wording, when it's clearly not that (looking at you, Creality). You can't say it has a all metal hot end and then slap a standard brass nozzle on it. It's not like proper ones are expensive!
set slice tolerance to exclsuive
This ^^^^
that pink v0 like yous 3rd?
That's his 2nd v0.1 he built a time back on the modbot army chanel
Got the upgraded aquila for $211
This is an upgrade machine that just isn’t worth it. I would not recommend this S2.
The S1 is fine. And the $100 to upgrade it could be done much better yourself.
A direct drive that can't handle TPU - you must be joking.
Why do you look so cool with the hat backwards
ender 3 v2 copy
voxelab don't test their printer designs before shipping, what you save you quickly lose in mucking around trying to get them printing right
Any source to back this up?
its a ender 3v2 clone
Obviously it is not but someone always has to make that comment.
Www
Ha, first