The Sidewinder X1 is one of the cheapest and most reliable FDM printers in its weight class. At under $500, it’s a great way to experience what larger FDM machines have to offer.
Even though the Sidewinder X1 is a beloved printer by the community, it’s not without issues. Some of the common complaints are poor part cooling, faulty cable connectors, and failing heat bed cables.
Although the above problems may sound off-putting, the Sidewinder X1’s community has come up with solutions. Are you interested in reinforcing an already workhorse of a machine? Then let’s get to the upgrades!
BLTouch
Upgrading to a BLTouch makes the tramming process (commonly referred to as leveling) more user-friendly on the Sidewinder X1. Rather than the stock method of using knobs to adjust the height of the bed, which can be a bit tricky for beginners, the BLTouch does this automatically.
By probing the bed, the BLTouch ensures the nozzle stays the correct distance from the bed for the layer height selected. Another benefit is that it automatically compensates when you change the build surface. For example, you may be printing in PLA onto a PEI sheet, then switch out to a Garolite FR4 sheet for nylon printing. The BLTouch automatically compensates for the height difference between the PEI and Garolite FR4 sheet, making this process quicker and easier.
A printed mount is required to install the BLTouch. This mount is a Remix that improves the fan duct, which was another pain point on the Sidewinder X1. Some additional hardware is required, as explained by Waggster’s YouTube video.
- What does it improve? Makes the leveling process easier and reduces manual calibration when changing build surfaces
- Who designed it? 3dprintbeginnercom
- How popular/printable is it? There have been four Makes of this design, with three out of the four printed in PLA.
- How much is it? Model files are free, but a BLTouch is $35-$50, depending on the retailer.
Ribbon Cable Relief Brackets
Artillery uses ribbon cables to connect the Sidewinder’s components. While this does result in a cleaner look, the cables are prone to come loose. This can cause your printer to stop mid-print with an error, or worse, continue with the disconnected component no longer working.
There’s an assortment of brackets people have made for each of the connections where there’s an issue. With the brackets, the cable should be held in place and not come loose.
- What does it improve? Stops cables from disconnecting mid-print, preventing print failures or the printer from freezing
- Who designed it? TheGooNie
- How popular/printable is it? There have been 18 Makes of this design, mostly in PLA.
- How much is it? Model files are free.
- Where can I get it? Thingiverse
Side Spool Holder
One of the other issues with the Sidewinder X1 is the spool holder, which isn’t great. It’s adjustable, compared to the fixed hanger design of 3D printers like the Ender 3, but prone to causing spools to fall off.
The other challenge is that the spool holder is adjustable only by first loosening t-nuts, which can be time-consuming.
This design moves the spool from the top of the Z-axis gantry, which reduces the possibility of ringing. There’s additional hardware required, but at under $20, this is quite an inexpensive and effective upgrade.
- What does it improve? Makes holding differently-sized filament spools quicker and easier, along with preventing them from falling off easily
- Who designed it? Nosocialife
- How popular/printable is it? Though it’s been recommended on Reddit, there have been no official Makes of this design other than the designer’s.
- How much is it? Model files are free and additional hardware should cost less than $20.
- Where can I get it? Thingiverse
Cable Chain Relief
Like many consumer printers, the Sidewinder X1’s heated bed cables aren’t properly supported. When not supported, the cable can prematurely break, which is quite a hassle to replace.
Using a cable chain properly supports the cable and also stops it from getting tangled in other components.
- What does it improve? Supports and stops the heated bed cables from breaking prematurely
- Who designed it? Skinah
- How popular/printable is it? There have been four Makes of this design, in either PLA or PETG.
- How much is it? Model file is free.
- Where can I get it? Thingiverse
Extruder Idler Arm
Another common issue is that the Sidewinder X1 has problems with the idler or feeder arm. This is the arm that holds the filament against the extruder gear so that the filament moves accurately and doesn’t slip. A crucial part in any 3D printer, unfortunately on the Sidewinder X1, it’s prone to flexing and not providing proper pressure on the filament.
It’s best to buy a metal feeder arm to fix this issue, which can be found at Amazon for less than $15. A cheap, but definitely worthwhile, fix.
- What does it improve? Grips filament better and stops it from slipping
- Who designed it? Various
- How much is it? Under $15
E3D V6 Volcano Hot End
The Sidewinder X1 has a clone of an E3D Volcano as its stock hot end. The stock hot end has a PTFE tube inside that decreases the maximum temperature it can reach, compared to a genuine E3D Volcano. Also with PTFE against the heatbreak, it’s recommended not to print over 240 °C, as the PTFE tube can break down and release some nasty stuff.
Buying a genuine E3D Volcano gives you several advantages. First, it has a larger melt zone and as such is designed to extrude material faster. This enables you to print at higher speeds or with larger nozzles. Second, it gives you the benefits of being able to print at up to 285 °C. Third, this hot end is compatible with other E3D products like the Titan Aero, Super Volcano, and their V6 nozzles, which are known for their reliability and quality.
If you go for this option, be sure to use the 24-V version of the Volcano, as the 12-V version won’t be compatible with your X1.
- What does it improve? Increases the maximum printing temperature along with the reliability and quality of your hot end
- Who designed it? E3D
- How much is it? Under $70 as a kit and under $90 assembled
Part Cooling Fan Duct
The Sidewinder X1 (like many printers) has airflow issues. Namely, not directing the airflow at the print and around the nozzle that well, which can cause printing defects.
Part cooling is important as it minimizes stringing, but more importantly, it sets the layer so that it can support the next layer. If this doesn’t happen, the layer droops and essentially causes the print to warp. This is especially bad if you have a model with bridging.
- What does it improve? General part and nozzle cooling
- Who designed it? CarstenD
- How popular/printable is it? This design has over 160 likes and 2 Makes.
- How much is it? Model files are free, but you’ll need a couple of screws and nuts to install it.
- Where can you find it? Thingiverse
E3D Metal Nozzles
Coming with a 0.4-mm nozzle is pretty standard for the 3D printing space, but it can limit your printer. In the case of the Sidewinder X1, a larger nozzle would be very beneficial to print models faster. Going from a 0.4-mm to a 0.6-mm nozzle, you’re essentially increasing the amount of plastic you can extrude by a third. (It’s a bit more complicated than that, but the differences are quite drastic.)
The other benefit of getting a different nozzle is in the materials you can print with. Hardened or steel nozzles are required for abrasive filaments, like nylon or glow-in-the-dark filament.
- What does it improve? Allows for faster printing and use of more abrasive filaments
- Who designed it? E3D
- How much is it? Price varies depending on the size and type of nozzle.
Gantry Supports
Bed-slinger style printers like the Sidewinder X1 can have print quality issues, as the Z-axis sometimes isn’t properly supported.
These gantry supports make the Z-axis more rigid, mitigating print quality issues like ringing. These can also be handy if you intend to print quite fast (over 80-100 mm/s), as the increase in speed will likely introduce print quality issues.
Note that for this upgrade, some additional hardware is needed, which is detailed on the model’s page.
- What does it improve? Increases the printer’s rigidity and allows faster print speeds
- Who designed it? neophrema
- How popular/printable is it? There have been eight Makes and three Remixes of this design, in both PLA and PETG.
- How much is it? Model files are free, but you’ll need a few rods, nuts, and screws to install it.
- Where can I find it? Thingiverse
Lead image source: dicksmith123 via Thingiverse
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