Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this video I will walk you through the installation of a Bondtech LGX Lite Extruder onto a Creality CR-10 Smart (should also work for CR6-SE? someone please confirm in the comments section!) to convert this printer to direct drive. This upgrade works well with the MicroSwiss all metal hotend upgrade I performed in a previous video, but one is not a pre-requisite for the other. You can do them independently or together.
The Bondtech LGX Lite is a great option for Creality printers as it is small, compact and very light weight. Printing with this extruder (even at high speeds) has not added much mass to the overall print head and I am therefore not seeing print defects like ghosting or ringing.
There should be a significant improvement in print quality when printing flexibles, and you should also have finer control of your filament metering even with normal PLA or rigid filaments.
NOTE: The VREF for the driver in the video might be a bit low. Thanks to @BlackGymkhana for pointing out that the Bondtech 0.6A limit is already the RMS value and the coil limit is 1A. SO the new calculation is:
RMS = 1Amax / 1.41 = 0.709
VRef = (0.709x2.5)/1.77 = ~1V (recommend using ~90% to 100% of this value) so I set it close to 0.9V
If you want to support my work and my channel, you can purchase the install kit here that includes the parts to mount a Bondtech LGX Lite & MicroSwiss All Metal Hot End for the ultimate direct drive setup for your CR10 Smart:
► embracemaking.com/products/creality-cr10-smart-bondtech-lgx-lite-microswiss-all-metal-hot-end-kit
NOTE: After more extensive testing, I am finding that 1mm of retraction is safe (for me) and I am having better results with eliminating stringing. Also, be sure to set your "Retract amount before wipe" to 0% if you are using PrusaSlicer.
You can find all of the 3D printed parts you will need here:
► prusaprinters.org/prints/122750-cr-10-smart-and-cr6-se-direct-drive-upgrade-to-bon
You will also need:
► (QTY 5) M3 x 10mm socket head cap screws
► (QTY 5) M3 nylon locking nuts
You can find the technical information on the LGX Lite here, including suggested slicer settings and estep values:
► https://www.bondtech.se/product/lgx-lite-large-gears-extruder/
You can find the technical information about the small stepper motor from Bondtech here:
► https://www.bondtech.se/product/ldo-nema14-round-20mm-pancake-motor/
Bondtech also has some information about changing the reference voltage on your stepper motor drivers here:
► https://support.bondtech.se/Guide/06.+Stepper+Current+Adjustment+On+CR-10S/78
Keep in mind that you will also need to switch two wires on the stepper motor connector to get it to run in the right direction on the Creality printers. See this video here for "de-pinning" one of these connectors:
► youtube.com/watch?v=5r2e0PQ7Q_w
Here is some good information on changing the esteps value:
► teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html#esteps
Keep in mind that I show you how to do ALL of these things in the video... just follow along!
Thanks for watching!
#DIY #3DPRINTING #FILAMENT
****************************************************************
If you enjoy and have benefited from my content and are feeling generous I would love your support! You can "buy me a coffee" here:
► paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V2T6MEFUGP73Y ☕
By supporting my channel you are encouraging me to continue with this time consuming endeavor. A lot of time goes into design work, building my projects, filming the videos, editing the videos, etc. Plus it all costs money! Your generosity goes a long way in helping me bring you better content as often as I can!
Follow me on Instagram!
► instagram.com/embracemaking 📷
If you liked this video, perhaps you will also enjoy some channels that I personally find inspiring and interesting...
DIY and MAKER:
► The Hacksmith
youtube.com/channel/UCjgpFI5dU-D1-kh9H1muoxQ
► Adam Savage Tested
youtube.com/channel/UCiDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA
► Thomas Sanladerer
youtube.com/user/ThomasSanladerer
Car Content:
► Mighty Car Mods
youtube.com/channel/UCgJRL30YS6XFxq9Ga8W2J3A
► Drivetribe
youtube.com/channel/UChiwLDIBJrV5SxqdixMHm
In this video I will walk you through the installation of a Bondtech LGX Lite Extruder onto a Creality CR-10 Smart (should also work for CR6-SE? someone please confirm in the comments section!) to convert this printer to direct drive. This upgrade works well with the MicroSwiss all metal hotend upgrade I performed in a previous video, but one is not a pre-requisite for the other. You can do them independently or together.
The Bondtech LGX Lite is a great option for Creality printers as it is small, compact and very light weight. Printing with this extruder (even at high speeds) has not added much mass to the overall print head and I am therefore not seeing print defects like ghosting or ringing.
There should be a significant improvement in print quality when printing flexibles, and you should also have finer control of your filament metering even with normal PLA or rigid filaments.
NOTE: The VREF for the driver in the video might be a bit low. Thanks to @BlackGymkhana for pointing out that the Bondtech 0.6A limit is already the RMS value and the coil limit is 1A. SO the new calculation is:
RMS = 1Amax / 1.41 = 0.709
VRef = (0.709x2.5)/1.77 = ~1V (recommend using ~90% to 100% of this value) so I set it close to 0.9V
If you want to support my work and my channel, you can purchase the install kit here that includes the parts to mount a Bondtech LGX Lite & MicroSwiss All Metal Hot End for the ultimate direct drive setup for your CR10 Smart:
► embracemaking.com/products/creality-cr10-smart-bondtech-lgx-lite-microswiss-all-metal-hot-end-kit
NOTE: After more extensive testing, I am finding that 1mm of retraction is safe (for me) and I am having better results with eliminating stringing. Also, be sure to set your "Retract amount before wipe" to 0% if you are using PrusaSlicer.
You can find all of the 3D printed parts you will need here:
► prusaprinters.org/prints/122750-cr-10-smart-and-cr6-se-direct-drive-upgrade-to-bon
You will also need:
► (QTY 5) M3 x 10mm socket head cap screws
► (QTY 5) M3 nylon locking nuts
You can find the technical information on the LGX Lite here, including suggested slicer settings and estep values:
► https://www.bondtech.se/product/lgx-lite-large-gears-extruder/
You can find the technical information about the small stepper motor from Bondtech here:
► https://www.bondtech.se/product/ldo-nema14-round-20mm-pancake-motor/
Bondtech also has some information about changing the reference voltage on your stepper motor drivers here:
► https://support.bondtech.se/Guide/06.+Stepper+Current+Adjustment+On+CR-10S/78
Keep in mind that you will also need to switch two wires on the stepper motor connector to get it to run in the right direction on the Creality printers. See this video here for "de-pinning" one of these connectors:
► youtube.com/watch?v=5r2e0PQ7Q_w
Here is some good information on changing the esteps value:
► teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html#esteps
Keep in mind that I show you how to do ALL of these things in the video... just follow along!
Thanks for watching!
#DIY #3DPRINTING #FILAMENT
****************************************************************
If you enjoy and have benefited from my content and are feeling generous I would love your support! You can "buy me a coffee" here:
► paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=V2T6MEFUGP73Y ☕
By supporting my channel you are encouraging me to continue with this time consuming endeavor. A lot of time goes into design work, building my projects, filming the videos, editing the videos, etc. Plus it all costs money! Your generosity goes a long way in helping me bring you better content as often as I can!
Follow me on Instagram!
► instagram.com/embracemaking 📷
If you liked this video, perhaps you will also enjoy some channels that I personally find inspiring and interesting...
DIY and MAKER:
► The Hacksmith
youtube.com/channel/UCjgpFI5dU-D1-kh9H1muoxQ
► Adam Savage Tested
youtube.com/channel/UCiDJtJKMICpb9B1qf7qjEOA
► Thomas Sanladerer
youtube.com/user/ThomasSanladerer
Car Content:
► Mighty Car Mods
youtube.com/channel/UCgJRL30YS6XFxq9Ga8W2J3A
► Drivetribe
youtube.com/channel/UChiwLDIBJrV5SxqdixMHm
