Showing off a Heavily Modified Taz 6 Dual Extruder V2

Development
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Here’s a blast from the past. A few years ago, I purchased a lightly used TAZ 6 with a Dual Extruder V2. I quickly found out about some of the issues and was determined to tame this beast.

The attached photos show the outcome. The following is a list of upgrades:

- Upgraded main frame from ABS to PETG for better stiffness.

- Replaced 3mm Hexagon hot ends with 1.75mm Hexagon hot ends (from IT Works 3D :frowning: ) as my other printers run 1.75mm filament.

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IMG_20251114_073134594_HDR_AE
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- Replaced both extruders and sleeved from 3mm to 1.75mm.

- Replaced existing, restrictive part coolers with redesigned coolers providing better flow and more even distribution of part cooling air. (My own design. STL attached)

Lulzbot TAZ6 Dual 40mm Part Cooler.STL (6.0 MB)

- Replaced existing hot end cooling fans. Originals were tiny blower fans. New ones are 15mm axial fans and fan ducts to provide better hot end cooling. (ref: Dual Extruder V2 Heat Block Fan Upgrade )

- Added high-temperature insulation under the new hot end fan shrouds to protect them from the heat of the hot end.

I’m currently working on modifying a Dual Extruder V3.0 in a similar fashion. I rely on my TAZ 6 as part of my business and don’t have time to periodically recalibrate the V2 head, so sadly, even though it’s been tamed, it’s time to upgrade.

Enjoy,

Todd.

2

Is this the same one being sold on eBay right now?

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Yes. That’s the same one.
Thanks.

Todd.

4

I’m not sure if I’d say PETG is an “upgrade” from ABS for this application. Equivalent, enough, but PETG creep over time is worse, and there is constant weight on the frame that would cause creep, specifically causing the heavy front end to droop and throw off Z alignment.

The main issue with any fixed nozzle dual extruder like they used is you can’t compensate for bed imperfections for both nozzles simultaneously, so there’s always the chance of the idle nozzle contacting your current print layer.

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I swapped out the main frame because the original, ABS one was sagging badly and seemed very flexible. The PETG frame has held up great over the last 2 years.

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In general, PETG is more ductile than ABS, so for structural components that should be rigid, PETG wouldn’t be my first choice.

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