Artillery 3D Sidewinder X1 Required Upgrades?

[@rickevans7941]

My x1 is still running great thanks to your help on the fb group...wow 4 years ago now. Just dropped by to say your kindness and intelligence is still appreciated every time I print, bud. How you and yours are doing well.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Holy crap! That was before the online 3D printing groups turned into super toxic cesspools but that genuinely means a lot.

[@OregonBladez]

Thank you for the information, everything you said makes sense.

[@andeasgurschler]

Thanks for this video, my Sidewinder is doing suuuper great i only put a strain relief to the bed cable and its working just fine even with petg. However Im thinking to add Auto bed leveling does anyone have experience with it?

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Meh... Installed it on a friend's machine (not an X1) and she had me remove it ~2 mo later since it was a larger headache than paper... My take? Not worth it... I have leveled with paper and it works just fine, it just takes a little finesse.

[@amelliamendel2227]

Thinking the same thing about bltouch, but couldn't find the firmware for it.

[@neur303]

IDK, I have the issue that I have to level it everytime I print something new. When it is running heated everything is fine. Also I noticed the bed has a very slight depression in the middle. So I believe for big parts (X/Y) it still could make sense. In general I agree. Don't fix what is not broken. But for me the Sidewinder does not have the reliability to print without nudging everything a bit in the beginning. That's good to get to know the machine. If it doesn't bother you and you are on a budget don't upgrade. I want a machine that just prints once I have the right settings and ideally also does not care too much about specific settings and produces dimensionally correct parts (I was able to get 20+-0.1mm out of the box though)

[@amelliamendel2227]

I would say the only upgrade I feel is necessary is, IF you have crazy layer issues you can support the gantry.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Eh, seen people who installed one and... still had the issue which leads me to believe it isn't so much due to the Z frame wobbling but if it aint broke don't go adding it on!

[@joshmnky]

I had issues with the Z axis being wobbly, especially with the spool holder up top. It made tall prints have a lot of banding. Designing/printing/installing some braces was fun and low risk.

[@dannytreacy6775]

Great video, I have owned the V2 version of this machine for over a year now and have some specific questions related to using various filaments, what is the best forum for asking questions on this machine? Thanks.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

There are quite a few Facebook groups for it. Do note you will get varying degrees of "help" from people. My advice is as always, experiment and see what works best for you.

[@dannytreacy6775]

@@MakeItWithCalvin Thanks for your reply, I'm trying to establish the best settings for printing wax (print 2 cast), it's proving to be very fussy so I could do with some advice!

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Oh gosh, yeah never really messed with it so can't help there. I know companies will do wax printing but that can be quite problematic. If you dig around for my Tom Knapp video he discusses his workaround to that problem, it is quite clever.

[@dannytreacy6775]

@@MakeItWithCalvin Thanks for the info, I had a look at the video and he mentioned 'lost wax casting' which is what I want to do so that's great, I'll contacting him via his site. Thanks!

[@pmflav]

A strain relief on the bed power cable is a must. Surprised you didn't mention this one.

[@robsandoval3634]

So true on what you stated. I agree on the video. Good points!

[@ablack9431]

Good points thanks.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

No problem! Feel free to upgrade but be wise in how you go about doing it!

[@--Nath--]

Sensible advice. It's a capable machine and with the latest version 4 seems to have made initial set-up even easier than some of the earlier revisions that people have reviewed. The old saying "if it ain't broken, don't fix it!"

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I really was impressed with the changes they had made on the Genius I received, they have done a good job of implementing user feedback and going from there. And you are so right, if it works leave it. I am not "against upgrades" but at the same time I see so many people go down the rabbit hole... and... it ends bad!

[@korben7710]

Yep this is the guy to listen to. Just got my X1 and really have been kinda freaking out on how everyone is saying get this you need to have this. 24 prints in no upgrades and im loving it. Thank you

[@CesarPerezn]

Same here. Mine printed some brake cooling ducts for my car right out of the box, and they were huge prints. Came out perfectly. Since then I've printed some other car parts plus door pullers, about 20 prints in total and not one issue. Assemble it right, level the bed and leave it alone. This is my first 3D printer as well, so I'm learning as I go.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

You got it! I am not "anti-upgrades" I mean I have put better nozzles and PEI on my machine but i did it after I figured out I needed it. If it is a safety critical upgrade then do it but even then make sure you understand what to do before you start hacking things up!

[@iraborton3941]

My X1 is bone stock, it works great, never had an issue will the "weak points" people talk about. Many hundreds of print hours and still going with zero issues.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Not denying that other people may not have issues but deal with them as they arise, don't "make" a problem to "fix" it.

[@GeneralCurl]

Hey Calvin where do you get your replacement parts, just asking because i cant find a replacment extruder gear

[@lgilles]

I was able to find a good metal extruder gear on aliexpress for like less than a dollar. If you don't mind waiting that can work well. If not that then I would try Amazon. I have found them there for not much money as well.

[@Schaub3]

I’d like to print nylonx. Any chance you will be doing a video on hot end upgrade for the X1?

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I got one on swapping the break and nozzle changing

[@natorpotatorplays3775]

What type of firmware does this printer use, is it Marlin. I’m setting up the slicer before I get it in preparation.

[@ScientistDog]

I'm trying to buy one, I'll keep stock until I get to know it well and get experienced with PLA, and some PETG and ABS. But then I need to print some things in Nylon. Which upgrades do I need for that?

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I just swapped the stock heatbreak (they switched to threadless on the newer machines) to an all-metal one and that's it. You may want to also switch to say a plated brass nozzle just because I find they give better printing quality but that's personal taste ;-)...

[@oneheadlight8000]

I need to print daily with ASA. Should I go ahead and upgrade the heatbreak before even starting?

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

If you feel comfortable doing it I would say yes. I assume ASA prints ~240C? If that is the case it will break down the PTFE quite rapidly. I have a video on heat break swapping if you have never done it.

[@oneheadlight8000]

Calvin Witt we have them printing well at 250 with several prusa machines, we wanted a larger format printer with direct drive so we went with the x1 over the creality machines. I watched your videos and I appreciate the content

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

@@oneheadlight8000 In that case I say do it. If you can grab an extra heater and thermistor just in case something goes bad. Odds are very slim but it happens! I like keeping a spare for machines I use so downtime is minimized.

[@oneheadlight8000]

Calvin Witt oh yes.. I most likely will grab extra. Thanks for the advice!

[@oneheadlight8000]

@@MakeItWithCalvin Know anything about the high temp PTFE heat breaks? I see that Th3D offers one in place of the all metal version.

[@muzzammilmuhamad950]

Can this machine print ABS?

[@DR0NE_BEE]

Mine didnt work out of the box...so why upgrade it? because its a good frame to build on ;)

[@mmstep5150]

As a total Noob 3d printing person. My artillery is doing wonderful completely stock.

[@ashb8036]

Fantastic advice. My v4 in apparently on its way and will be here in a few weeks. 🇨🇳 to 🇨🇦 with things the way they are right now seemed to be the only way to get one without going through a reseller with a backlog of orders, out of stock or a shady rep.

[@bluescreentobsen]

do you have no z-wobble as many of us?

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I have no visible z-wobble in all honesty but I also have my Z axis column screws tight & I took out 1 of the split lock washers on each side. I have found that they can actually cause more wobble than they fix.

[@richardspicer8253]

Great advice, myself I hate doing any upgrades unless it really needs it. Getting printer set up right and slicing right goes along way imo

[@tracywang9514]

Thanks a lot for your great sharing, dear friend.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

Thank you Tracy :)

[@S.A.S.H.]

As I've mentioned elsewhere I did not follow this advice with my first 3D printer, and I've regretted it ever since. Calvin is right, a noob needs to get used to the printer as is, and only then can one make an educated decision on what, if any, mods are required or advisable.

[@Catalysis1144]

Thanks for sharing this info, I am waiting for my X1 to arrive (International shipping). This will be my second printer after a few years old Prusa i3 clone kit I ordered from Aliexpress which I highly modified to get better prints. One of the things that gave me a hard time and lots of frustration for the first few months was the hotend clogging and other issues I ordered a clone E3d v6 and had similar issues after that I decided to buy genuine E3d lite 6 and have been using it till today as a hobby printer even for ABS and PETG which is not really meant for I rarely use PLA so now I need to order upgrades for the X1 to be able to print ABS & PETG what exactly will I need to order? is it only the heatbreak I would like to hear your recommendations

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

I would consider getting a metal heatbreak & maybe a plated brass nozzle. They flow much smoother than the stock brass ones in my opinion. You may want to look into a flex-plate with an engineered material like PEI or BuildTak, not sure how well the silicon carbide bed will work with either of those as I just have plain glass on mine. Other than that I say you should be good, it sounds like you have some experience 3D printing so any other changes would be at your choice.

[@Catalysis1144]

@@MakeItWithCalvin Thanks for your reply appreciate it. It arrived yesterday which is luckily an improved version with several changes, had some problem putting it together as the top gantry frame and bottom frame were not lining up to put the screws in but anyway managed to push it together with some tinkering. So far PLA test prints are impressive in quality.

[@zachofalltrades1111]

Mine should be here next Tuesday January 14th the 4th version, I want to print with the petg filament.

[@raymondtsui6252]

I print PETG regularly on my Sidewinder X1, just be sure to swap your heatbreak to an all-metal one and you're all set. Works for me, but I don't know about anyone else.

[@mix3658]

Good...Sound...Advise...Thank You!

[@Gert-DK]

I agree, its a good printer out of the box, but I need a printer that can do "pause at layer" from g-code and the Artillery printers can't do that. If had know, I would never have bought my Genius.

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

That is a TFT issue, there are videos about it if you look. It is annoying but I do not use that function personally. If I have to do color swaps I just program each layer separately, regardless of what machine I am using.

[@Gert-DK]

@@MakeItWithCalvin Thnx. Any chance for a video about that?

[@Phil-D83]

A ready made bl touch connector would be nice . Would probably add a BMG clone and an all metal e3d volcano hotend with a thermal sock.

[@HorribleHarry]

Finally... wise advice! (Thats getting hard to find today)

[@MakeItWithCalvin]

It feels like "common sense" has gone out the window with people any more... it is frustrating.

[@bjornwegener3233]

@@MakeItWithCalvin You are right 100%. You always start working with the machine in its stock version before you tinker with it. You need a baseline to compare to and/or go back to if something doesn't work.

[@Phil-D83]

Ribbon cable = ugh

[@DarrellHarris22]

Hey Calvin! I’m a huge fan of yours, I watched a ton of your videos, and I recently bought an artillery x1 because that’s what I’ve watched you print on and I’m having some huge issues. I’ve tried fixing them by watching videos but I’d love it if I could call you for some help. Please let me know if you’d be willing to chat for a couple of minutes about it!

[@anthonykelley3711]

what issues are you having?

[@ilacha69]

with other words... never touch a running system

[@MD_Builds]

D: i want to say positive things, but I cant hear a word your saying D: your mic is fooked