1 Topic by pcm81

  • pcm81
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-11
  • Posts: 114

Topic: SD3 new drive KIT

Does any one sell a better XY drive kit for SD3. I chenged the Y stepper motor and in the process of doing so, discovered just how flimsy the Y rear shaft can be. All of the gears are so tight on it i had to use vice to move them to adjust for longer stepper motor. Yes i did take out the set screws.

Anyhow; it is all working now, but since i know, just for low the quality of the stuff is; looking for a kit to replace with mechanically better components. Also the ABS print carriage is rather wobbly any one makes an aluminum one?

Prefer a kit, rather than going parts draw diving; do that enough at work...

2 Reply by Nico_hk (edited by Nico_hk 2014-06-11 00:18:24)

  • Nico_hk
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-09-13
  • Posts: 9

Re: SD3 new drive KIT

I don't think anyone sells exactly what you're asking for, but what I'm going to do in my SD2 is sort of what you want.

For the rear Y shaft (6mm) I'm going to change it for a 8mm one, for that you need to get new bushings or what I'm doing, which is get 8x12x3.5mm flanged bearings (you can find them cheap on eBay), those in theory fit in the existing holes in the steel frame.

Now the advantage of changing every rod to 8mm is that is much stronger (so you don't need things like pillow blocks to reinforce the Y shaft), and you can change to GT2 belts and pulleys on both the X and Y axis, since 6mm GT2 pulleys are pretty rare to find.
I'll probably post some pictures of that 6 to 8mm conversion when I finish it in the next couple of weeks
.
As for the print carriage what I would do is go to a local machine shop and ask them to machine it, it doesn't have to be exactly the same but only have the screw holes in the same place and that's about it.

3 Reply by pcm81

  • pcm81
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-05-11
  • Posts: 114

Re: SD3 new drive KIT

Nico_hk wrote:

I don't think anyone sells exactly what you're asking for, but what I'm going to do in my SD2 is sort of what you want.

For the rear Y shaft (6mm) I'm going to change it for a 8mm one, for that you need to get new bushings or what I'm doing, which is get 8x12x3.5mm flanged bearings (you can find them cheap on eBay), those in theory fit in the existing holes in the steel frame.

Now the advantage of changing every rod to 8mm is that is much stronger (so you don't need things like pillow blocks to reinforce the Y shaft), and you can change to GT2 belts and pulleys on both the X and Y axis, since 6mm GT2 pulleys are pretty rare to find.
I'll probably post some pictures of that 6 to 8mm conversion when I finish it in the next couple of weeks
.
As for the print carriage what I would do is go to a local machine shop and ask them to machine it, it doesn't have to be exactly the same but only have the screw holes in the same place and that's about it.

Thanks for the reply. That is what i was thinking too; was just hoping there was a kit; but i guess i'll have to actually put some effort into it.

4 Reply by mdrVB6

  • mdrVB6
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-12-18
  • Posts: 717

Re: SD3 new drive KIT

Go under the hacks and mods section of this forum and the very first stickied post is a printable carriage replacement by Lawsy.  Lots of people here have used this mod with great success, it is a real gift to the community.  Agreed that the stock ones are low quality.

As for the Y drive shaft, I think I saw someone on here who replaced it with an 8mm rod and it was quite an operation and you'll need a very steady hand to get those larger holes to be aligned perfectly.  It can be done, but what is your specific objection to a pillow block?  Personally, mine has held up fine (knock on wood) without a pillow block.  If it fails or bends, I would replace it with another 6mm with a pillow block.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed