Micro Swiss Dual Gear Direct Drive Upgrade For Ender 5 and Ender 5 Plus 3D Printers

[@sif1921]

Before you start this, heat your hotend up and remove the bowden tube as they are hard to remove from cold also its easier to have it still connected to something while pulling at it, Then let it cool down before starting this help guide that is very helpful indeed. :)

[@nickobelenus]

Installed this 2 years ago and again today on a second printer and used your video both times. Amazing guide with easy to follow step by step that any experience level can follow.

[@na7uree540]

We have this installed on our Ender 5 plus and we have been super happy with it. Huge improvement over stock

[@thedoctor1126]

Got it all set up and installed thanks a bunch man! Btw cuddos on all the detailed info. All the information you provided even the nuanced stuff is directly from the manufacturer and absolutely correct. For sure the best setup video for this unit!

[@ModBotArmy]

Awesome! I am stoked to hear this.

[@Soniti1324]

This was a great video, I'm looking at getting a direct drive and was scared about taking the hotend apart, but no more! Seriously, great work dude. I wish there were videos like this for everything to do with my 5 Plus! You earned this like with style.

[@stevankaighen5009]

Daniel, this is one of the most comprehensive, if not the most, informative, and enjoyable how-tos I’ve seen on youtube. Excellent job and thank you. I ordered my microswiss last night for ENDER 5 pro and will be using your video to keep me straight. PS. I had to subscribe to your channel and I look forward to going through your library. 3WarVet

[@ModBotArmy]

Thank you very much for the kind words. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed the video I did put a lot of time and effort into it. You are going to love the microswiss and I look forward to seeing you around!

[@Acheiropoietos]

My heat cartridge had fused to the block so had to order a new one half way through installation. Really great instructions though, couldn’t have done it without you. Now all working great!

[@THEedcbb3]

Was it fused by filament?? If so you can seperate them by heating them and then undoing (carefully) If that's what's happened though, and it did for me, then you haven't seated your nozzle correctly and it's over extruding

[@michaelwenmanK7USN]

Even though this is 2 years ago, glad I found it. I just got a Ender 5 Plus a week ago and it has been an absolute nightmare getting things to print correctly at all despite hour after hour leveling and I'm thinking it has to do with extractor and print head issues. I was hoping to find something plug and play so I didn't have to mess around compiling and modifying firmware and could use the Creality stock firmware and this is exactly what I need. Thanks so much for an excellent video.

[@ricom7091]

Well made video. I appreciate the attention to detail, great camera angles and step by step instructions. Keep up the great work and superior content. 👍

[@minkwandering3561]

Ender 5 pro's have a different 42-40 stepper motor on their extruders and the drive gear cannot be removed. Sadly this means the entire stepper needs replaced with one with a notched rod. Hopefully saves somebody shipping time.

[@mesacforestwolf7589]

Came for this... however, my E5+ (purchased on March 2021) came with that same motor; featuring a non-removable gear, and short stem [without a notch]. Thanks for putting it out there. Happy printing!

[@lukapaka]

I was able to pry the drive gear off without damaging the stepper motor using a pair of hammers. No notch for the set screw, so I just drove it in as tight as I could w/o stripping. If it ends up coming apart, I'll post here

[@philh9421]

Just completed my Ender 5 Plus upgrade and I have to say this video is spot on and so helpful. I bought my 5 plus relatively soon after release so the cog was held on the extruder stepper motor axle with a pair of grub screws. Had to heat my Creality hot end to free the thermistor but it survived the transfer. I just need to properly recalibrate my z offset but even with that set slightly out I can already see a positive change in print quality. Will be tweaking over the next day or so with a few benchy prints to get the set-up perfected. Many thanks!

[@raygluck1505]

I had a minor issue with the belt alignment behind the Touch, but it sorted out. I think I need to adjust the wheels as I have a bit of a 'bounce'. But this was a great video, step by step, and very thorough. Thanks!

[@enhaxed7839]

Whoever came up with the mounting system for the thermistor on the heating block is a sadist. I can't really complain though it's printing well first print since installing the upgrade. Thankyou for your video it helped me.

[@philnelson2364]

For my flsun qq-s-pro, the thermistor is inside a can but still fragile but easier to manipulate.

[@xxxxxxRINxxxxxx]

Thank you for helping install my MicroSwiss DD. You made things real easy with the step by step!! Kudos!!!!

[@risingphoenixbronco5328]

Just added today/last night after having several melting in the tube failures with the stock setup. Already printed a couple small test projects and working great. Thanks for the video. Make sure you delete all of your saved G-code files once you update the retraction data in your slicer. Great helpful informative video. Kudos!

[@davestark3261]

Just used this rather than the manufacturer’s site and wow! So helpful man! Thabks

[@EsotericArctos]

If your Bowden tube comes out as easily as it did in this video, you are the lucky one. The Creality Sharkbite connectors rarely work that well. You may need to trim your bowden, so it is a good idea to have a spare length of tube in case you need it. There's no need to fully remove the belt on the X Carriage. It does not get in the way at all during the install and you need to reuse it anyway :). This is a great video with some great hints and tips.

[@Hybrid.Robotics]

I am just installing a Micro Swiss DD kit on my Ender 5 Plus. This video is AWESOME and exactly what I required! Keep up the great work! Your channel, Kersey Fabrications, CHEP,, and BV3D: Bryan Vines are my go-to channels for instructional videos. My printer does not have a grub screw on the stepper motor gear, and it is way too difficult for me to brute force it off. I also have a pancake stepper motor to replace the stock one and am going to get a stainless steel gear for the shaft.

[@NolanPRuiz]

How did you install?

[@uberholmes]

Excellent video - many thanks. Take care unplugging the connector to the stepper motor. I damaged mine so had to cut it off and hard solder the extension cable to the end. Extra steps you can do without.

[@debonh3828]

Very useful videao, good step by step guide. I didn't note if you said about rotating the short tube, end to line up with extruder wheels, its quite a tight fit.

[@lindkvistandreas]

This was the best instructional video i have ever seen on youtube! Great work!

[@xjsmstr]

Fantastic video! Very easy to follow along while installing the direct drive kit on my Ender 5 Pro. Thanks, man!

[@AirfoilOne]

Excellent instructions, very well put together. Thank you!

[@UDoIt2]

*_8.5 million views on your channel!_* Congrats Daniel! BTW this is a great video.

[@ModBotArmy]

No kidding that is awesome thank you for letting me know 😬. I really appreciate the feedback 👍

[@deandrehaines4522]

My stepper motor has a press fitted gear and I can't get it off. Gotta wait for the gear puller to come in 3 days 🥲

[@maddogtannen69]

Going to buy one tomorrow this is an excellent video

[@jvdbossc]

The quality and information of this video is very good, but it does not mention that some of us will have to buy a new stepper motor since I have one pressed without screws complete round axel, sure it can be overcome but I don't risk it..

[@AhrimanPalantir]

Very good guide! But i have one Question, what is the thing over the wrench @ 1:07min? I didn´t see you use this in the Video.

[@mayamorgan1373]

After several hours of attempting to get off the pressed gear that was apparently the one in my printer, I have given up and will have to wait two days for a new motor from Amazon to finish this. Uuugh.

[@philnelson2364]

For future reference… A spanner wrench or just "spanner" is a british term for a crescent wrench or "adjustable wrench" Also, the "vise-grip" you refer to, is actually called a "slip-joint" pliers. Some instruction manuals are written by british interpreters which is why they use their names.

[@shaneparsons7797]

I just wanted to add a note to this video, if like me, you have a cheaper direct drive conversion for the Ender 5 Pro and other variants and are upgrading to the Micro Swiss kit, make sure you use the Micro Swiss extension cable else the Extruder stepper motor is reversed.

I came looking for this, thank you so much for the advice!

[@shaneparsons7797]

@ No problem! Glad to help :)

[@stevankaighen5009]

Good note.

[@morticiaskeeper]

Thanks for this, my existing cable was long enough, so I didn't change it!

[@shaneparsons7797]

@@morticiaskeeper No problem! Happy to help :)

[@bitwerx3381]

Just installed this mod, I had lots of issues but only with the parts already used on my Ender 5 that it borrowed. ALL of the MicroSwiss parts were fine. First issue made me stop was my dang grub screws on the old extruder from my Ender 5, went to remove my old gear and they were stripped to hell. It's been 2 days and I still cant get it out lol. Reminder: This is a part on my ender5, not part of the mod, but needed for it. Oh well, So I reached for my old DIY printer and stole a different extruder motor and finished my install. But wait whats this, while reinstalling my eccentric gear, I mustve smooshed something when it should have been smished, and my hard rubber wheel now has a GROOVE in it, it goes kerchunk-Kerchunk every 40mm on the xAxis now. Lovely. The good news is, Someone just sold me their lightly used Ender 3 for a sweet deal, cmere darlin, you dont need those wheels, you still got 2 left. Wheel Tragedy averted, depending on your perspective, Ender 5 Lives, no disassemble. Ender 3 had a rough night. Finally, the install gets completed, I heat her up again and shove a bit of PLA through, the melt and needle thin stream of PLA is impressively fine. Now to run the extruder...wtf... its not moving. Grab that old extruder from the Ender 5 (stuck grub and gear, unusable for mod), shove the wires into it, well its jumpiing but its moving, back to the replacement, no move, nothing. Cooldown, hey ender 3.... you have an extruder too right? More surgery.... Now this extruder is installed, but jumping and not feeding the filament. Im about to run the gcode, just stopped to check this vid since its official documentation linked. I suspect the gcode steps/mm settings will make the motor spin as expected?

[@ShahriarFarkhan]

This was a fantastic and thorough assembly video but what was missing is how it performs. Can you please show us how it performs?

[@filipandre2927]

Im glad I found this video, it made it sooo easy to install! Very good job!

[@SuperYellowsubmarin]

Very nice upgrade. My CR10MAX has a Bondtech but the Bowden drives me nuts. Considering milling a plate like this one to mount the Bondtech direct drive with an E3D Volcano hotend.

[@Xploit66]

Is it possible to get a one month update on this? How has it worked out for you?

[@claudianance6363]

Thanks so much for this video. I couldn't have installed this without your help!

[@albert5828]

They need to specify on their page this kit only works if you have a removable gear on your stepper motor. My Ender 5 Pro shipped with a press-fit gear on a short shaft on a 42-40 motor and this was difficult to remove. I ended up having to take the Dremel out to cut the gear off. But the shaft is not going to be long enough to attach the gear that came with this kit. And its not flat on one side to allow the grub screws to grip. Very bad oversight. Now I am without my printer until a replacement motor comes in from Creality.

[@ModBotArmy]

Yeah I have a video coming out on their mew kit for linear rails and i mentioned this twice. This must be fairly new my new ender 3 had this and my new Ender 5 plus didn’t. I believe they are adding it now.

[@ModBotArmy]

Tiny machines is US based and stocks them

[@albert5828]

@@ModBotArmy I was able to make it "work" by creating a small divot in the shaft so that the grub screw could grip it. When I was calibrating my e-steps, it made an occasionally creaking noise like the grub screw was trying to grip the shaft. I ended up trying a print and didn't have any noises coming from the extruder. I think it was the fact that it was trying to rotate the shaft for 100mm. And during prints the shaft does not rotate anywhere near that so it hasn't made that noise. Still have a new stepper motor coming in with a d-shape shaft so hopefully will have no issues at all.

[@TrailingOff831]

i thought i was the only one thinking: this stepper doesn't look right.

[@grandpaspaintingstudio]

I am have the same issue with the gear being press fit. I am ready to take this printer and throw it off a cliff. I have used it for about 10 days and it started giving me issues. I am now 3 weeks waiting for parts and now I have to wait another 10 days for a new extruder motor. I could have sworn that some one said that 3D printing was fun. When does that start?

[@carsonbell1368]

I'm curious, what's the upgrade that is attached to the lower half of the extruder mount from the Bowden setup? Is it your filament sensor? Anyway, great video! You put out some great content and all your videos are super helpful. You and Super Make Something are probably my two favorite content makers for the 3D printing/engineering community. So thanks for your hard work and dedication to helping everyone!

[@TheSparkysdog]

Great video, thanks for sharing. Perfect timing as my kit arrived yesterday 👌

[@Xploit66]

How has it worked out for you if you've installed it? Any cons to speak of?

[@TheSparkysdog]

@@Xploit66 I'm pleased to say it's been a positive experience, there is a definite improvement over the standard hotend/bowden extruder setup.

[@JamesWise-di8zc]

Has anyone mentioned that if your 5 pro has the stepper motor with the pressed on gear, you'll have to buy another stepper motor and gear. I was very disappointed that that fact wasn't mentioned

[@AndrewAHayes]

The newer 5 Plus also have the pressed gear, I started designing a puller but then remembered I had a stepper motor on an old Ender 3 that I didn't use anymore and so I used that one instead

[@JoeKundlak]

Nice video, thx! You removed the belt just to not have it in the way? As you reinserted it the same way later... :)

[@koppenanattitudeyo7607]

Nice tutorial thanks for not wasting my time!

[@pmaschke]

Bought this for the Ender 3...after adjusting the flow (e) I did a test print and it was ok. Then I got excited to use TPU (which is the reason I got this in the first place) - print started great, a bit rough but then worked pretty well for a few layers. Left the room and came back to filament coming out BETWEEN the two gears. I didn't think it was possible, but it did. NOT HAPPY! Then decided to go back to PLA where the Ender 3 never had any issues. Printed was successful but after shut-down and bringing it back online I noticed the nozzle was completely locked up. I spare you the details. The Moral of the story: This might not work as you wish it would, and if you do get it, make sure you are not a 3D printer novice or you'll regret it!

[@fuzzcopter467]

dude, I know your exact issue. Slow your printer waaaaaay down! 25mm/s is as fast as flexibles should be printed. Any faster and the bunch up and tangle. You can't push a rope!

[@23432]

What about the filament spool? will the extruder pull filament from the original loacation? I'm talking the ender 5 Pro. No one deals with that.

[@everythingquads]

Just ordered one. Great video, install will be easy now. Thanks!

[@Killa_Prints]

Thanks for showing this. I'm considering doing this mod myself.

[@ModBotArmy]

Thanks for watching

[@00kevin20]

Great vid!! My order from Micro Swiss will be here monday.....do you have a good recommendation on an updated printed fan shroud for this setup??!!

[@KaelumYodi]

How do you like the Ender 5 Plus? I need a large format printer that print filaments above 300C, is capable of accuracy/repeatability over speed, and the base printer meets all of my other requirements. I’d upgrade the hot-end to something like a Mosquito, add linear rails, and turn the frame into an enclosure. MatterHackers seems to have the best prices, a total of a little over 1K for the total package, including all the nozzles I’m looking at. If I need too, there’s even a water cooling system, but I don’t know if I’ll need that yet.

[@marcwolf60]

Fantastic Video. Very easy to follow. I did the Silent step and Swiss Micro upgrade in one night. Wish Swiss Micro had included several circlips as mine disappeared to the end of the workshop. If anyone know what size it is I'd love to get another.

[@eastlandsparkfarm]

Very helpful video, But why completely remove the belt?

[@mrmetal60]

Great job on the install video, Just sent for my kit. Any problems when people do the rail mod upgrade??? (Ender 5 Plus)

[@davidnunez3523]

great my thermister and heater thing are glued into the block thing. it's always something.

[@seanoshea43]

Great video however my Stepper Motor gear head is not removable. I just bought this Ender 5 Plus Dec 2022 so maybe the have changed the part 42-40 to not be removable? any suggestions???

[@dasProgrammierTier]

Thanks a lot from Germany! 👍

[@lazlo342]

Thanks for making this video. I have been thinking about getting one of these for a few months. How well does it print flexible filament? Have you compared it to the Hemera? If so, which is better?

[@InvisibleSquids]

Oooh, this is a question I want an answer to as well!

[@darmansejuk101]

Personally I would recommend using a tungsten-steel nozzle as it has a better heat conduction then others I have tried.

[@lucbrodeur9193]

a drirect drive like this one, will it improve pla printing?? more beatifull outside finish??? him printing rc truck budy and him looking for a way to get more constent and more beautifull outside finish. thank you for your great work.. really love your video!! merry christmas to you and your friend and familly! :)

[@emigrant74808]

It shouldnt be any big difference with standard PLA or other similar filaments. Direct extruder is important for flexible filament.

[@davidr5964]

You're an excellent teacher. Thank you!

[@ChinaAl]

You didn't mention that the Bevels cut on the top of the capricorn tube has to be lined up with the bevel on the extruder @ 17:55?

[@interiorflash386]

you rock bro ...this video helped me to remove lotof questions... thank you ..

[@michaelhenderson5098]

All went well on my Ender 5 until I tried to install the CR Touch bracket. It hits the end of the belt. I don't see how this install was achieved if the layout is the same.

[@stevekew2251]

Thanks for the great video! Can you please tell me how to change the factory 260 maximum temperature setting to 300? I can't find a video for this. I do not know how to write code. Thank you very much!

[@alxndrYT]

So I'm currently using a bondtech bmg with a microswiss hotend in a bowden setup. My shop has the microswiss direct drive kit without hotend. Would this be worth it in your opinion? I really like the bmg. But I want a direct drive setup. Thanks for the great video!

[@ModBotArmy]

So BMG is definitely a great option as well. I would say if you have been having retraction issues or want to print with more flexible filaments (quicker). It would be worth upgrading.

[@3dprintingcave778]

can you do a video on better cooling for this setup maybe hero me5 or fang something

[@3dprintingcave778]

also since we have the all metal hot end the ender 5 plus only lets u go up to 260c in the profile can u show how to set that up to go to at least 280 or 300

[@3D_Printing]

I've heard PLA jams in all metal hot end ?

[@c80made]

You did not say anything about the fact that the ender 5 plus is set up to spin the extruder motor in what would be the wrong way for this setup. You did not mention how you reversed the direction.

[@3D_Printing]

Excellent video production

[@PaganWizard]

I have an EXOSlide gantry on my Ender 5 Plus. Will this attach to their mounting plate?? I already know I won't be needing the V slot wheels with the EXOSlide.

[@HiTechDiver]

Great instructional video.

[@curtokay8046]

thanks that covers it all

[@Heiko-shaves]

do you think this extruder would fit a SOVOL SV05? Thakns

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

Great step by step video. As brand new printer I hate it when the presenter assumes the viewer already knows everything and just skips over the entry level stuff. My Micro Swiss is in the mail and I can't wait to install it on my E5+. This video has removed tons of fear for me. Thanks👍

[@pascal184]

And how you like the Micro Swiss?

[@Blackcloud_Garage]

@@pascal184 love it. It should come stock on the Ender5 Plus. Do yourself a favor and get one, you will not regret it👍

[@pascal184]

@@Blackcloud_Garage Thanls for the reply. I think this will be my first Upgrade

[@jfoster77]

Thanks for the great video! I do have one problem. My stepper motor is moving in reverse now. Any tips?

[@mesacforestwolf7589]

Just like @Shane Parsons said above, "use the Micro Swiss extension cable else the Extruder stepper motor is reversed".

[@viarah1536]

Followed the steps, great video! I finished everything and am encountering a strange issue. My nozzle temp reads at -14 degrees and it won't let me print now. Any ideas on how to fix this?

[@enhaxed7839]

It sounds like you might have a broken or out of it's socket thermistor on the heatblock, it's really fiddly to get it into position.

[@emigrant74808]

WHY video is not showing working whole printer after upgrade? Is it not working well? Any problems with filament? Where is filament roll fitted? I guess its not as easy as everybody try to show :/

[@jarmstrong6478]

Thanks for the details. But do you know how I can get the g-code e/steps download ? I bought a micro-Swiss from a third party and seems I’m missing the paper with the scan code or site to get it thanks

[@alanwright5437]

I don't know if I am missing something here but this new hot end appears to be exactly the same as the standard one I have on my Ender 5, except the new nozzle which comes with the upgrade is steel instead of brass. So it appears you would only increase the printing temperature if you chose to use the new steel nozzle instead of the old brass nozzles, would that be correct?

[@lukapaka]

I had the same question. Looking on MS's website, it says the All Metal Hot End (standalone, but the same that's included in this kit) includes a brass plated nozzle, so YES. If you want to print hotter temps, you should definitely also pick up an upgraded nozzle. OP can correct me if I am incorrect about this, but my research says this kit does not include an upgrade for your nozzle.

[@moccaenak1]

for ender 5 plus do you prefer e3d hemera or Micro Swiss Direct Drive ? Thank Youuu. :))

[@Jpson67]

Do you recomend to put it on when i get the printer or should i wait and learn the machine first

[@mirage3rd]

Very well done. Thanks a lot

[@MyGreatCreation]

Wow so the guy I bought this from was a massive slob and everything is either gunked up or nearly welded in place on the stock parts. The heater core won't come out so I'm a little lost atn

[@Jpson67]

Very good video, thanks for that

[@SteeleEffect]

how do you get your motor to go the right direction on the extruder cause with my current setup my extruder motor goes counter clockwise but on yours it would go clockwise how would i go about getting it to go clockwise?

[@Jjneedham1982]

Great tutorial. Thank you

[@the_DOS]

Need some before and after test prints.

[@jonmatthews5642]

I had temp issues after this mod so would advise to PID tune after fitting!

[@kailuasurfing]

What kind of temp issues? Not heating to the set temperature?

[@jonmatthews5642]

@@kailuasurfing Heating Failed screen of death when attempting to print 250+. Once I did the PID it's been great ever since

[@kailuasurfing]

​@@jonmatthews5642 Gotcha. Thanks for the FYI to all of us

[@avejst]

Interesting upgrade Thanks for sharing

[@ModBotArmy]

KZbin just told me you received the highest number of hearts on my channel

[@SamTornado1701]

This is going to be super useful.

[@douglaslarimore2510]

Nice video, really detailed. I amd going to purchase one for my Ender 5. I want to purchase new wheels and eccentric nut. Does anyone know if there is a vendor that sells the concentric nut for the Ender 5? Creality doesn't sell them, and I cant seem to find the correct size on amazon. cheers...

[@boggisthecat]

Douglas Larimore I found some on AliExpress. Search for ‘stainless steel eccentric spacer’. You may be able to find a seller on eBay in the US.

[@samuelbeasonjr.3308]

Nicely done.

[@jimmyr7501]

Does this work with the ender 5 pro? I don’t have a screw to be able to remove the extruder gear

[@thomasproeng1474]

Very helpful video, helped me all the way through with my Ender 5 plus. Would not have done it, as the creality executional quality notably everything around the sloppy x-carriage scares me to pieces. One of three core problems that render the Ender 5 plus completely worthless as shipped is the absence of any "Zugentlastung" strain relief on wires and tube going to the extruder. The all metal hot end alone renders the Ender 5 plus to a useable printer, before that change it fails within minutes of printing anything large on xy. It is a pitty that the microsuisee direct drive upgrade, specifically its base plate, does not solve the issues of strain relief and accessibility of the mounting screws for the BLTouch sensor. The state as delivered by Creality is ludicrous. It would be a piece of cake to solve it for anyone with machining access. For the sake of completion: Additionally, to work with the Ender 5 plus, it needs 1. The silent board 2. A power supply of 650 W (Meanwell) 3. Some serial access provisions as part of the user's environment It would be kinda nice if the creality kids could ground the motherboard or put a suitable fuse onto it.

[@davidbarker8483]

Thanks Thomas. Which silent board should I get for my Ender 5 plus?

[@thomasproeng1474]

@@davidbarker8483 the one from creality. You can tell then apart by the imprint on the resistors next to the Motor drivers. Please try and Look that up elsewhere. On a sie note: if you decouple the Electronics Fan from the housing with suitable foamtissue, you have already accomplished something. Do not mess around with the Fans! Doing it right is too tedious.

[@NC700_68]

is there any "ringing" with this upgrade?

[@mjminino]

Be careful on the thermistor screw. I tightened too tight and the temperature read 350.backed it off and bingo

[@monkeywizard77]

This is just the reply I was looking for, Thank you!

[@benthk3dprt136]

why did you remove the rubber strap ?

[@Bluedemon1289]

my stepper motor doesnt seem to have a removable gear.... what do i do now?

[@doudie8074]

It's very good👍

[@c79ar]

@ModBot Still in the box Ender 5 ( Standard ) What upgrades for this particular model is *needed* to get busy printing without replacing stock 6mo or less if I don't upgrade. Thanks!

[@3dprintingcave778]

also since we have the all metal hot end the ender 5 plus only lets u go up to 260c in the profile can u show how to set that up to go to at least 280 or 300