PRUSA Mk4S KIT (MK4 UPGRADE) - TESTED

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Today we are looking at the PRUSA MK4S Upgrade - specifically the upgrade from the MK4.
Prusa provided the upgrade kit to me at no cost with no expectations. Opinions are mine.
**MK4S upgrade kits, or machines, or XLs: use this link - **
www.prusa3d.com...
Using this link usually earns me a commission and helps support the channel so it's appreciated!
Credits:
Thanks @3dPrintsAndLeaves for the charts
Models that aren't mine: www.printables...
The Lost Factory Cube (calibration cube): www.printables...
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Music: share.epidemic...

[@HyyskanPolttaja]

In our series "If it ain't broken, don't fix it," I upgraded my very well working MK4 to MK4S only to find that self test of the part cooler - that big blower - failed. Darn! I opened a chat with Prusa tech support and pretty soon the friendly tech person promised to send me a new fan under warranty. So, here I sit rolling my thumbs while waiting for the replacement fan to arrive.

[@ovarb12]

Can't afford a prusa however everyone I've ever spoken with that has one loves them like a dog. Stickers and candy as the best ro get in and kit. Thanks for the down to earth video.

[@kvtorp]

They are the most expensive gummy bears ever. Luckily the bears come with a free printer

[@logicalfundy]

I'm really enjoying the ability to use steeper overhangs in my designs. Worth it. Bambu owners should upgrade Bambu Studio - there was a bug that Bambu was slow to fix that affects overhangs, but they did get around to it after Prusa released the Mk4S.

[@marknodisplay1889]

Had mk4 for 1 year, start print PC filament , had lost of issues, found most of problems where idler door xy belt tensioner, all warping a little, which gave different issue when printing , after prusa support , printed door etc in PC improved a lot of my prints and lot less fails

[@RokkSantos]

Thanks for the vid, was on the fence for purchasing this upgrade. I will do so now. ;)

[@edmarfilho2000]

Tks. GPIO and Accelerometer Set projects and ideas will be very appreciated!!

[@MaxMichel89]

Yeah I want to see that! I also ordered the Upgrade with the gpio and accelerometer 🙂

[@edmarfilho2000]

​@@MaxMichel89same here...I bought it and have no idea what to do...ahhhh

[@MaxMichel89]

@@edmarfilho2000 i Hope for good Projects and Like an easy light Switch, currently i am doing IT with my octoprint and a little mikrochipcontrollerthingi

[@simplegamerz9485]

“Brings bamboo into the comments” me, what about my ender 3, it can do all that and more after all this tuning and parts! (Maybe a bit too much money as well)

[@LostInTech3D]

sounds like the Ender 3 of Theseus :)

[@mo0seboy]

Have you heard about the Ender 3 NG project? Might be good for another 40 hours of your life modding your "cheap $200" printer. :)

[@Reds3DPrinting]

Why not both? :P

[@simplegamerz9485]

@@mo0seboy yeah I know about it and I’m working on something better than it called PanDER and it uses two Enders to make a core xy flying gantry with multiple versions depending on how much you want to spend

[@geobot9k]

Literally me and my full bear converted anet a8 with a meter long list of upgrades through the years. Pretty sure the only original part now is the end stops 🥲

[@Biggus_Mickus]

Have you done something to piss off The Algorithm™ recently? Just last week I was wondering why you hadn't uploaded in ages, and I wanted to rewatch one of your videos for some reason... Searched for the video, couldn't find it, ended up having to search for the channel by name, finally found it, and it turns out you'd uploaded several videos that The Algorithm™ had decided not to put on my feed. Last video of yours that popped up when uploaded was the diamond nozzle one, none of the ones since then had appeared for me at all. I've subscribed to prevent this happening again.

[@LostInTech3D]

😤 who knows.

[@MrBaskins2010]

we have come so far since the makerbot days

[@louiel8711]

That bag of gummies ain't big enough for the price and amount of work

[@LostInTech3D]

🤣

[@JakobDam]

Impressive difference from the Mk4 to the S-version. Just for bringing Bambu Lab into the comment section: Those steep overhangs would also be trashed on my Bambu Lab P1S, and it's a known area that can be improved heavily on the P- and X-series in general (I don't know about the A-series). Some of it is due to the fan duct design, but a larger more capable cooler would definitely also help. Prusa seems to have done a great job testing these items for the Mk4S iteration, and I'm very glad to see that they're still going strong.

[@TechieSewing]

Well, that spiralled ;) Love the unboxing music.

[@thehaze1972]

Was watching the springs you printed while enjoying Vivaldi but then I had to visit the toilet and when I was sitting there with the door slightly cracked open to hear Vivaldi a bit better I suddenly started to chuckle.... Well played sir! 😊 Oh and thanks for yet another interesting and entertaining video. 👍

[@LostInTech3D]

You're the first person to catch that 👍

[@mvadu]

I had the upgrade kit in my cart waiting for someone to post a detailed review. I think I am going to buy it now. But frankly I never had any issues with mk4 to begin with.

[@marc_frank]

the print by the flying bear looked awesome

[@LostInTech3D]

@crazyT0sser did a LOT of mods on it

[@marc_frank]

@@LostInTech3D is it on KZbin? i'll have a look. sounds cool

[@CrazyT0sser]

@@marc_frank nope, it's nothing that hasn't been done before anyway. Considering the topic, the only mod of significance i performed is CPAP cooling.

[@marc_frank]

@@CrazyT0sser well yours did better than all the other stock ones cpap cooling is interesting, the new flsun printers have it, too, right? the only improvement i can think of is cooling the air with a peltier element before sending it through the hose. doesn't need as much flow for the same effect so bridges don't get pushed down too much

[@CrazyT0sser]

@@marc_frank they do indeed. it is, however, louder than your common blower fan.

[@Devills_hill]

16:10 i laughed harder then i should have 😂 great video!

[@Chad.The.Flornadian]

Always fun. Always entertaining.

[@zerofox3d]

I run four MK4's in the Prusa enclosure. Recently had a strange extrusion issue on my first MK4 (randomly stops extruding even with a new nozzle, no clogging) Support were strangely insistent that PLA should be printed with doors open. I've never done this as my temps in the enclosure are always mid-20s and my office is cold and I wanted stable temps in an enclosure. I could find no warping of the PETG parts in the extruder etc but they still jumped to wanting to send me PC parts. I believe I've now determined it's actually the extruder motor that has an issue (observed it not turning when the extrusion has stopped) so have ordered another. Still I found it a bit weird they focused on the print temps and wonder if there is an underlying issue with the MK4 in the enclosure.

[@LostInTech3D]

thats a common requirement actually, bambu, creality, qidi all say to print with the door open. The problem is heat creep - the cold side of the extruder can't get/stay cool enough. You could stop it happening by lowering the enclosure temp probably. But yeah, it's a consequence of PLA's very low glass point. The ultimate solution is water cooling of the extruder.

[@zerofox3d]

@@LostInTech3D That’s interesting. My printers have always been in cold offices and I always struggled with warping issues until I started using enclosures. Each of these MK4’s has 2.5k hours printing PLA enclosed with no issues until now and I’m certain this issue is a faulty motor. I’ll do some testing doors open 👍

[@berlinberlin4246]

Yes please for a video about the GPIO and accelerometer

[@MotoDammit]

Good to see Josef himself addressing the googly eye regression

[@RegularOldDan]

I very much enjoyed seeing this. I'm still "stuck" on a MK3S and I definitely notice cooling is lackluster on the back side. However, I plan for it with orienting my parts appropriately and things work out fine. My FOMO is somewhat less having seen this, but kudos to Prusa for continually improving their printers. As for a "weird filament"... is it flexible?

[@markus30000]

A good overhang beats a bad hangover any day!

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

Why would people bring buying bamboo into the comments? Isn't it a grass? Doesn't grass kind of takeover everywhere it starts? I mean sure, if you want a bamboo forest in your yard (and have the climate for it), not really sure why you would want it otherwise though 🤷🏿‍♀️

[@Berbelucha]

For me upgrade is taking already 2 weeks. Got faulty y-axis tensioner part which broke when mounting. First they've sent wrong part. Then after getting the correct one it seems that I've also got faulty HF nozzle and I'm currently waiting for replacement. Upgrade itself is very easy and fast. Good thing about the whole thing is that Prusa is not trying to leave me hanging and that I was able to use old nozzle for the time being.

[@stevenaples8410]

I upgraded my MK4S to an MMU3 and still had to change out parts in the Nextruder area, specifically the Filament sensor and what not. Id love to see a video of the GPIO board if possible!

[@LostInTech3D]

Oh. I guess some gets replaced and some doesn't then. Interesting. I wonder how they keep track of all this

[@jaguar1822]

Hi, thanks for the video... by the way could you please tell me what size is the layer fan? 😊

[@Fourbigcats]

I love it! im gonna order it next week!

[@Speedgaming802]

Get a nozzle made by pcb way

[@AleksanderOlo]

Well, I have a bit mixed feelings about this upgrade, especially now after your video. I’m awaiting 11 upgrades kits for my small farm, and according to your tests, I don’t see any added value. Still 6 weeks to find it out by myself;)

[@deathspawn54]

Should have bought a bambu (absolutely joking ) I'm a mk4 owner my upgrade shows up today, thanks for the video man

[@No0o0o0o0o0]

Do you void your warranty to use the gpio (hacker board) ?

[@TheCraen]

you take buildplate to the next level the mk4 is even a worktable

[@bce.gatien]

GP-IO. Can you look into taking picture with a camera (time lapse), activating light/fan when the printer start the print.

[@ThisisDD]

I got 100% on the comparisons! :D

[@TNX255]

I presume all the filaments used in the parts shown was PLA? Does the upgrade affect any other filaments? In my experience strong cooling only matters to PLA since stuff like PETG, PCTG etc. can't be printed as fast anyway.

[@samuelmiller916]

personally, my mk4 is working well and inside of an enclosure witch would make the upgrade a pain so I don't plan on upgrading unless I need to take the printer out anyway for repair.

[@ZeeengMicro]

The googly eyes do not stick? Prusa really has fallen off 😭

[@mvadu]

8:06 no old one was basic esp-01 based off of esp8266.. New one may be esp32!

[@sausage5849]

No one tested your spring on an Anet A8? lol

[@username9774]

The mk4s really is convincing me to buy another Prusa. Would love to see what the gpio board can do, would be cool is you could hook up a print removal mechanism controlled by that.

[@LostInTech3D]

yeah I'm interested in photos but it's definitely my kind of thing, I'll order one.

[@LostInTech3D]

I'll order one and we'll see what happens!

[@JonLinde]

@@LostInTech3D Installed my accelerometer and GPIO module Saturday. Found a neat box for the GPIO module made by @StevePeterson on Printables. Have yet to start exploring the possibilities, but will probably add a few buttons so I can tinker with some macros. I have 2 of the filters from Alveo in my enclosure: One purely as filter (like Prusa's own setup) and one as an air extractor - ensuring a small negative pressure in the enclosure. Even when printing ABS and ASA, the printer is effectively free of odors outside the enclosure (but a bit more noisy). Would be neat if I could control those fans using GPIO's. Haven't put it though its paces yet, but TPU (95a), PETG, PLA and PCCF have printed with no issues through the high-flow 0.4 Obsidian nozzle and using MMU3. Quality seems a bit better after calibration using the accelerometer - but that might just be wishful thinking on my part.

[@A1N0]

Interesting, because the MK4S convinced me to buy another X1 Carbon.

[@WereCatf]

Eh, I'd probably just skip the Y-axis and the LCD parts. I don't have an enclosure, so what do I care? Really, the only improvements I care for here are on the extruder.

[@LostInTech3D]

Sure, I did think that, but I'm not sure if the "certification" or whatever applies to doing everything. If you ever wanted to sell the mk4s on, it's worth doing everything in the kit, in my opinion, rather than having a sort of hybrid machine you have to explain.

[@WereCatf]

@@LostInTech3D I'm more the kind of a person to repurpose things -- whether it be as a whole or as parts -- when I no longer need them, so rather than sell the MK4(S) I'd be more likely to take it apart and use the individual parts for projects. The heatbed, for example, can be used for a pretty sweet filament dryer. Besides which, where I live, there's really basically no market for used 3D-printers anyways.

[@WereCatf]

@@LostInTech3D As a complete aside, I appreciate the dry sarcasm you so heavily apply in your videos. Every time I watch one, the atmospheric humidity in the house drops by 15%.

[@LostInTech3D]

perhaps this is the secret to why I don't suffer wet filament! :)

[@WereCatf]

@@LostInTech3D Or a wet lady friend.

[@herr_rossi69]

You don't necessarily need the update, but I want it😉

[@technicallyreal]

Looks like you needed to do a linear advance calibration on your mk4. Those corners..

[@LostInTech3D]

Ah, yes that's something the s can do if you buy the accelerometer, I suppose I should.

[@technicallyreal]

@@LostInTech3D you're thinking of input shaping but it appears more like the regular linear advance calibration that you need to do. Should actually do it per filament or at least per filament type. It didn't matter as much before high speed printing but makes a big difference now

[@Shannon-Smith]

I wonder if its worth upgrading my 3s to a 4s?

[@LostInTech3D]

yes definitely

[@MaxMichel89]

For that price you can just buy an mk4s-kit. But the Upgrade to 3.5 is really nice. Huge speed increase for little Work time and Money.

[@Elliot00000]

Id love you have a ponder at the coreXY conversion kit - ProosaXY

[@LostInTech3D]

Tempting.....I'll bookmark it

[@awilliams1701]

I got 100% right. your yellow filament needs dried though.

[@lukaszbusko]

in enclosure mk4 cooling performance is debatable even with abs…

[@riba2233]

Yep

[@ZekeTrimmer]

For some reason, stratysis couldn't buy bambu. I can get an A1 mini for 200$

[@JDSPonYT]

So seeing as it was mentioned and someone has to be that person, I am considering getting a P1S for the current UK price of £515 w shipping Go for it or no? I already have an A1 but have found myself essentially only printing in PETG/ ASA now and the lack of an enclosure is hurting my soul Also good video on the upgrade

[@LostInTech3D]

Ultimately it's up to you. I am not a fan of the waste these things encourage (even in single colour they purge too much and make smoke too) but the hardware itself is very solid. You could build an enclosure out of anything tbh, I made my first one out of tables, it's in my voron build video where I rant extensively about the topic.

[@ares395]

@@LostInTech3D Smoke? What? Also can you specify how it purges a lot when printing with a single color? I read that it only does that when you mess with timelapses. You can control purging with orcaslicer as far as I know. I just ordered mine so I can't test these things yet. I've chosen bambu due to the price vs prusa.

[@LostInTech3D]

Oh, the smoke thing I covered a bit in my fumes vid, printers that purge seem to do it at a too high temp or too much flow or something. You noticed the smell? That. It's not good for you, ventilate it!

[@ares395]

​ @LostInTech3D Oh, yeah fumes (I thought there was a real smoke.. I guess there's little difference besides density, but still it got me a bit confused semantics-wise), my current printer produces quite a bit of smell even with PLA. I was hoping Enclosed P1S with a carbon filter would fair better... I guess we'll see. I saw that video and health concerns are real for me. I don't intend to print anything exotic but I'm worried about what's in those magic mixes like PLA+, HF, etc. While PLA is decent, those might not be. Even PLA I only print longer prints when I'm out because the printer is in the room I'm working at home and it does make my eyes and throat dry if I don't have a good airflow. That being said I suffer a lot more from air pollution on the streets which will affect me now that it's getting colder outside due to people burning who knows what than I ever did from printing... still better to be safe than sorry. Thank you for answering

[@kimmotoivanen]

@@ares395 Not sure about P1 or X1, but A1 dumps a hefty poop in the beginning of every print. No AMS. Maybe it want's to clear possible filament cut (that you might have done while it was asleep) out of the way, and then does some flow calibrating thing.

[@alexstixx]

Oh snap they got a new version. I don't even know what version my mk3s? is.

[@HybridlifeOrg]

Message to prusa : less plastic bags in your box please 🙏 …

[@LostInTech3D]

fair point (to all manufacturers)

[@Speedgaming802]

The new screen cover looks terrible

[@aaronchamberlain4698]

Fun fact: the “old LCD” MK4 printers (that’s me) got a different 3D printed cover, which I do think I like more. It was a different PCB design, which meant a different part, and they didn’t want to make an injection mold for the tiny amount of people that had the old version.

[@Speedgaming802]

@@aaronchamberlain4698I like the old one that is 3dprinted

[@backtoearth1983]

Laughs in Bambu. I can not take Prusa seriously with the prices they are asking for machines that still come stock with printed parts. And need another 300 in upgrades (so 1000 spent) just to equal a Bambu A1

[@bluerider0988]

I'd like to see how to use the gpio with the Prusa enclosure to control the Filtration system and light.

I really think this is the first upgrade (since original MK3) that I'll skip.

[@herr_rossi69]

The MK4 already works very well. The new nozzle is only effective for layer thicknesses above 0.2. Cooling is therefore the only point that I sometimes criticize about my MK4. I will therefore update. But you're right, it's not absolutely necessary. But it's not expensive either.

[@taham6757]

feel its non sens to spend a 99 dollar for a fan u can buy for 8 dollars or smth

[@emuboy85]

Prusa pritners are work of love.

[@zwurltech9047]

The most meaningful upgrade, I've done in my shop, started with selling my Prusas...

[@LostInTech3D]

ah you work in microcenter?

[@riba2233]

Good decision!

[@Me_255-m8m]

gpio vid pls

[@chris993361]

Buy a Bambu! 😁jk. Though I do love mine.

[@CrazyT0sser]

gogo poosaaaa

[@A1N0]

I bought it, but I don't know why. And I have to wait 2-3 months for it. I will say, however, that it will be my last Prusa purchase. I'd rather spend my money at the Bambu Lab store, where the value is better and the shipping cost a whole lot better.

[@NoMercyFtw]

Whats a Bamboo????????

[@LostInTech3D]

some kind of plant :)

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@LostInTech3D oh that sounds about right, I think you can use them for a blow darts also

[@louiel8711]

A really expensive weed lol

[@NoMercyFtw]

@@louiel8711 lol

[@Ohioan29]

I sold my Prusa immediately after building a Ldo Voron Trident. If I still had a Prusa I would toss it in the garbage where it belongs and get a Bambulab.

[@CasGRos]

way frow away a still working printer. I am still using my old prusa mk3 and it works fine.

[@Ohioan29]

@@CasGRos Prusa is a greedy sham of a company that false advertises themselves as being ranked #1 and all this other bs when in reality they are just ripping everyone off. Their excuse… great customer service 😉 happy printing 🌈 . If you were a friend looking to get into 3d printing I would much rather recommend you to get a $600 core xy bambulab p1ps that is enclosed over a $800+ mk4s kit that you’ll have to put a 📦 over or build a cheesy ikea enclosure for if you ever wanted to print with anything other than pla or petg. At this point I think I would even recommend a bambulab mini over the mk4s.

[@A1N0]

I still have mine, but it collects dust. My Bambu Lab printers do it all now.

[@mikelaurie3850]

No

[@LostInTech3D]

I do the answers 👌

[@baddan]

After I bought my MK4, and the mmu made the mainboard brick for 2 times, I’ve given away Prusa and changed for Bambu

[@LostInTech3D]

huh, thats not something I've heard about

[@logicalfundy]

Hasn't happened to me.

[@ScytheNoire]

That recycled packing paper they use smells SO bad. The new fan puts out an impressive amount of air, I was surprised. The PCCF belt holder for the underside front seems to be cracking on people, showing layer adhesion issues. Was a real pain in the butt getting the torx screws into the screen mounts. Self-tapping screws suck. Prusa doesn't recommend the CHT/HF nozzles with the MMU. Booooo!

[@LostInTech3D]

amazon shipping dept uses that same paper so I think I must be used to it by now, I won't describe how it smells hahaha

[@jimmer411]

Prusa hasn't been worth it in years, even moreso now that Bambu Labs is in the picture. The MK4 is just an outdated and overpriced design.

[@sw6559]

Prusa printers are the blackberry of the 3d printing world. Very expensive printers with mostly 3D printed parts which is janky. Maybe mold some printer parts. They have tool changers and a 10k delta that no one wants. I really dont understand why people buy these printers especially the Mk4. You can get at least 3 Bambu A1 printers for the cost of one with an AMS.

[@emuboy85]

The fact that you don't get it is the key.

[@LostInTech3D]

I tend to find people who never used a prusa have a low opinion of prusa.

[@emuboy85]

@@LostInTech3D I tend to find people that can't afford a Prusa have even worse opinions.

[@riba2233]

100% agree, these don't make any sense. XL and delta maybe, but mk4 is a joke

[@herr_rossi69]

@sw6559 But why should I buy three printers if I only need one?