# Mini vs TAZ 6 **URL:** \ **Category:** Hardware\ **Created:** [December 3, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276 "2016-12-03T05:42:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CoParaTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/coparatech/32/82_2.png) [@CoParaTech](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CoParaTech)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 5:42am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/1 "2016-12-03T05:42:23Z")
I’m considering picking up another Mini and wondered if I should go for the TAZ 6 instead. Pros? Cons? Opinions? ---
**Author:** ![piercet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/piercet/32/12_2.png) [@piercet](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/piercet)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 6:52am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/2 "2016-12-03T06:52:26Z")
If you think you might use a Taz, get a Taz. They come in handy. Pros are build size, lcd, etc. Cons are size and price. ---
**Author:** ![CoParaTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/coparatech/32/82_2.png) [@CoParaTech](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CoParaTech)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 9:09am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/3 "2016-12-03T09:09:07Z")
I’m doing prototyping and production on the Mini and have been quite impressed with the quality. I can get a surprising amount of product on the build plate too, but I was thinking a larger build area might come in handy. Of course a couple of Minis could crank out at a pretty good production rate too. I was just curious which had the better print quality, or if there was a difference. ---
**Author:** ![piercet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/piercet/32/12_2.png) [@piercet](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/piercet)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/4 "2016-12-03T17:32:51Z")
Functionally and structurally, the Mini and the Taz are pretty much identical. The Taz has bigger rods and better leadscrews, but covers a longer path so it’s pretty much a wash compared to the mini’s shorter path. Quality is pretty much comparable. The Taz can be modded further for additional quality if you like later on. ---
**Author:** ![nopick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nopick](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/nopick)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/5 "2016-12-05T22:20:18Z")
If you are going to buy a mini, make sure it is the new one with IGUS continuous flex cable installed. I am having a terrible time with mine breaking wires in the cable chains. ---
**Author:** ![ScottW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@ScottW](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/ScottW)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 7:16pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/6 "2016-12-19T19:16:13Z")
> [@nopick](#): > > If you are going to buy a mini, make sure it is the new one with IGUS continuous flex cable installed. I am having a terrible time with mine breaking wires in the cable chains. I saw the new IGUS chainflex was in the “Mini 1.04” BOM, and it sounded like a great improvement. Has anyone heard when the “1.04” models are expected to be the shipping stock? ---
**Author:** ![robajohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@robajohn](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/robajohn)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/7 "2016-12-19T21:02:28Z")
> [@piercet](#): > > The Taz can be modded further for additional quality if you like later on. Really? Got any links? “Enquiring minds want to know” 🙂 (think I just dated myself) ---
**Author:** ![piercet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/piercet/32/12_2.png) [@piercet](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/piercet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 10:29pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/8 "2016-12-19T22:29:41Z")
Things like this will fit a Taz 6 for example: [http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:949082](http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:949082) ---
**Author:** ![david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@david](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/david)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:21pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/9 "2016-12-19T23:21:40Z")
Just a note, The Gladiola Mini (new with upgrades) are on sale already. They all will have a serial number of KT-PR0035-07500 or higher. ---
**Author:** ![i-t-w.com](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/i-t-w.com/32/65_2.png) [@i-t-w.com](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/i-t-w.com)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2016, 11:46pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/10 "2016-12-19T23:46:30Z")
> [@ScottW](#): > > > [@nopick](#): > > > > If you are going to buy a mini, make sure it is the new one with IGUS continuous flex cable installed. I am having a terrible time with mine breaking wires in the cable chains. > > I saw the new IGUS chainflex was in the “Mini 1.04” BOM, and it sounded like a great improvement. Has anyone heard when the “1.04” models are expected to be the shipping stock? All our new stock Minis are 1.04 “Gladiolas”. They also have the Moons motors like the TAZ 6, Moons stepper dampers on Z and Y steppers, a revised chassis, 40mm heatsink fan. Beefy idler and latch, and I’m probably forgetting a few changes. Gladiolas sound SO nice and quiet printing. CoParaTech- we have one on display if you wan to stop by and see/hear a Gladiola 😉 We will eventually have the Igus bed harnesses to retrofit older Minis ---
**Author:** ![nopick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nopick](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/nopick)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/11 "2016-12-20T03:09:26Z")
> [@i-t-w.com](#): > > We will eventually have the Igus bed harnesses to retrofit older Minis I really need that! ---
**Author:** ![CoParaTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/coparatech/32/82_2.png) [@CoParaTech](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CoParaTech)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/12 "2016-12-20T05:30:16Z")
"All our new stock Minis are 1.04 “Gladiolas”. They also have the Moons motors like the TAZ 6, Moons stepper dampers on Z and Y steppers, a revised chassis, 40mm heatsink fan. Beefy idler and latch, and I’m probably forgetting a few changes. Gladiolas sound SO nice and quiet printing. CoParaTech- we have one on display if you wan to stop by and see/hear a Gladiola 😉 We will eventually have the Igus bed harnesses to retrofit older Minis" Oh man, sounds like I need to pop by and check those out! Thanks [i-t-w.com](http://i-t-w.com)! ---
**Author:** ![nopick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nopick](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/nopick)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/13 "2016-12-20T15:42:28Z")
I installed a damper on the Y motor of my mini. YUGE difference! Best thing I ever did to the machine. Do you need shorter motor mounts to put dampers on the Z drives? ---
**Author:** ![i-t-w.com](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/i-t-w.com/32/65_2.png) [@i-t-w.com](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/i-t-w.com)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 5:33pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/14 "2016-12-20T17:33:29Z")
> [@nopick](#): > > I installed a damper on the Y motor of my mini. YUGE difference! Best thing I ever did to the machine. > > Do you need shorter motor mounts to put dampers on the Z drives? Good question. I don’t know if you need them, but you might as well print and install the gladiola mounts while you’re in there, as they make motor replacement easier, and they do have the recesses to correctly offset the dampers. Agree with nopick that the Y damper makes a big difference, and it’s easy to install. ---
**Author:** ![nopick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7bcc69/32.png) [@nopick](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/nopick)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/15 "2016-12-20T17:40:43Z")
I might have to do that during the Christmas break. ---
**Author:** ![Biolumo](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/biolumo/32/9340_2.png) [@Biolumo](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/Biolumo)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2017, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/16 "2017-02-04T19:03:54Z")
Yeah, i’m planning on doing a full Gladiola hardware upgrade for my mini. One thing i noticed with the new lower z-axis mounts is that YES they do make a heck of a difference with adding those vibration dampeners, but since i don’t have those long allen key wrenches that lulzbot has i had a heck of time with that front screw. And the screws i am using are a bit long and don’t have enough clearance inside the brass insert holes. So i have made my own mods to fix that. [lower\_z\_left\_mini\_lulz\_green\_v1\_6\_custom.STL](https://forum.lulzbot.com/uploads/short-url/dAPPsO49xC2YSqb1cPvv2KShCjU.STL) (150 KB) [lower\_z\_right\_mini\_lulz\_green\_v1\_6\_custom.STL](https://forum.lulzbot.com/uploads/short-url/uHXMCNovMK5auCi4zreqXZu2UYc.STL) (149 KB) ---
**Author:** ![CoParaTech](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/coparatech/32/82_2.png) [@CoParaTech](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/CoParaTech)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/17 "2017-04-15T06:16:49Z")
> [@i-t-w.com](#): > > > [@ScottW](#): > > > > > [@nopick](#): > > > > > > If you are going to buy a mini, make sure it is the new one with IGUS continuous flex cable installed. I am having a terrible time with mine breaking wires in the cable chains. > > > > I saw the new IGUS chainflex was in the “Mini 1.04” BOM, and it sounded like a great improvement. Has anyone heard when the “1.04” models are expected to be the shipping stock? > > All our new stock Minis are 1.04 “Gladiolas”. They also have the Moons motors like the TAZ 6, Moons stepper dampers on Z and Y steppers, a revised chassis, 40mm heatsink fan. Beefy idler and latch, and I’m probably forgetting a few changes. > > Gladiolas sound SO nice and quiet printing. CoParaTech- we have one on display if you wan to stop by and see/hear a Gladiola 😉 > > We will eventually have the Igus bed harnesses to retrofit older Minis Well I decided to go with a Mini 1.04 Gladiola from [i-t-w.com](http://i-t-w.com) and I couldn’t be happier. The new upgrades make the Mini even better than before. Faster, quieter, and even more accurate printing right out of the box! And with the sale going on, I’m now running 2 Minis for less than the price of a TAZ6. For anyone considering getting a Mini, just do it. You’ll be glad you did. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Material42x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Material42x](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/Material42x)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2017, 2:00am UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/mini-vs-taz-6/4276/18 "2017-05-09T02:00:15Z")
> [@CoParaTech](#): > > > [@i-t-w.com](#): > > > > > [@ScottW](#): > > > > > > I saw the new IGUS chainflex was in the “Mini 1.04” BOM, and it sounded like a great improvement. Has anyone heard when the “1.04” models are expected to be the shipping stock? > > > > All our new stock Minis are 1.04 “Gladiolas”. They also have the Moons motors like the TAZ 6, Moons stepper dampers on Z and Y steppers, a revised chassis, 40mm heatsink fan. Beefy idler and latch, and I’m probably forgetting a few changes. > > > > Gladiolas sound SO nice and quiet printing. CoParaTech- we have one on display if you wan to stop by and see/hear a Gladiola 😉 > > > > We will eventually have the Igus bed harnesses to retrofit older Minis > > Well I decided to go with a Mini 1.04 Gladiola from [i-t-w.com](http://i-t-w.com) and I couldn’t be happier. The new upgrades make the Mini even better than before. Faster, quieter, and even more accurate printing right out of the box! And with the sale going on, I’m now running 2 Minis for less than the price of a TAZ6. For anyone considering getting a Mini, just do it. You’ll be glad you did. 😃 my Taz 5 is down for the moment, and i’ve been shopping around for a second 3mm printer, and now i’m very sad to have missed the Mini sale - that would have been perfect. oh well 😃