Idler Wheel thought

So - the Idler Wheel - I was reading the instructions on makerbot's wiki, and one of their suggestions is a double wide idler wheel. I didn't really want to deviate from the standard way of making the extruder - so ... I thought - hey, when I'm all done - maybe I'll PRINT myself up a better idler wheel, with a nice concave surface to prevent the potential filament popping off sideways. which is the reason some folks do the double wide.

just a thought - I don't have a printer yet, so it's all just thoughts and dreams.

EDIT (As of today, Jun 9th, I have decided/agreed that Charle's Pax's Paxtruder, at least the element that puts pressure on the pinch wheel, is TOTALLY superior to the idler wheel - which NEVER worked for me)

Back in Business.... after a few months down...

OK, so I lost my hard drive - WAY back in Feb.
I got busy with work - and just didn't have a lot of time.

Waited, apparently, long enough that the supply hiccup is no longer an issue.

I ordered my Makerbot Cupcake CNC.

I guess I'll post me work on it here.

It will be sporadic, I think - still slammed with work, but excited to get this 3D printer up and running.

As another bonus for waiting - the Cupcake shipped QUICK - not in 8 weeks as was the old lead time - but same week (next day for me actually)

Another bonus is the heated build platform - I can't wait to see how that performs.

so - here is a picture of the first 4 parts I've constructed for my Plastruder MK-4. I still need to order the MK-5 pinch wheel... looks WAY better out of stainless, and they claim about a 100% improvement in pulling strength.


... ok - Clockwise from upper left - Big Dino, Wierd Dino, Idler Wheel, and Heated Barrel (no shorts, and all seems ok)...