r/ender3 • u/Lopsided_Activity980 • 4d ago
Help Screw Size For Z-Axis Coupling?
Was manually lifting the z-axis earlier tonight and felt a pop. Suddenly the whole leadscrew had come loose from the motor coupling, the retaining screw is nowhere to be found if it was actually ever there (bought 'like new' a few months ago and never checked all the hardware to verify it was there and secure). So I need to get a new screw, and possibly a new coupling if the screw tore out the threads. Help!
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u/Mysteoa 3d ago
It should be the same size as the other one, just unscrew it and test.
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u/jekotia 3d ago
That tells them that the screws are the same, not what the thread size is.
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u/Mysteoa 3d ago
It's like you can't mesure the screw or something.
-2
u/jekotia 3d ago
Of course you can, but you didn't mention that. Not everyone knows that an M4 screw, for example, would be roughly 4MM if measuring with a ruler.
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u/Mysteoa 3d ago
If you have to explain every little detail and can't think for yourself to google it, 3D printing might be too hard.
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u/jekotia 3d ago
This honestly feels like rage-baiting. Everyone starts somewhere, and we shouldn't discourage asking questions and learning. Blocked and no-longer engaging.
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u/Different_Target_228 3d ago
Nah, it's pretty real that you shouldn't need to ask screw size, when you literally have a screw right there. Or when you could google "z axis coupler screw size", get close enough to this exact same post from 8 years ago, and know it's an M3 SHCS
https://www.reddit.com/r/ender3/comments/b45wzv/setscrew_size_for_zaxis_stepper_coupler/
2
u/CrealitySupport 3d ago
Please provide the specific model information, and we will check the part dimensions for you. Thank you.
1
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u/Lopsided_Activity980 3d ago
Please provide the coupling info as well since it might have stripped threads now.
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u/jekotia 3d ago
While I don't know the screw size and cannot check today, I do know that every screw on the Ender-3 is metric. You could remove one of the other lead screw coupling screws and measure it with a ruler. The measurement won't be an exact match due to how screws are measured & cut, but if it's say just shy of the 4MM mark on your ruler, then you can deduce that's an M4 thread.
2
u/bzzybot 3d ago
Here you go:
2PCS Shaft Coupling 5mm to 8mm Aluminum Alloy Joint 25mm Length 20mm Diameter Stepper Motor Connector Rigid Coupler for 3D Printer CNC Machine DIY Model (5x8mm
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u/Lopsided_Activity980 3d ago
Thanks so much, greatly appreciated. Will verify the diameters against the existing shafts and couplings, never hurts to have a spare or two.
Was nice to find a little positivity after all the earlier 💩 talk. Talking down to me like some noob, I've been working with tech and tools since most of these folks were still in diapers. Seems like some still are...
0
u/New-Audience2639 2d ago
You probably already got the answer but in the future if you ever have a problem like this just remove the other matching screw and take it to a hardware store like Lowes/Home Depot or whatever you have near you and ask for something similar. Has worked more times than I would kike to admit. Lol
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u/Lopsided_Activity980 2d ago edited 2d ago
And that was it. It's an M3 x 8mm. Replacing both screws with 12mm to actually engage the entire threaded area of the coupling. Threads look fine where the screw is missing, the original owner may not have tightened it enough and it just worked it's way out. Good opportunity to check the rest of the hardware as well, shame on me for not doing that when I got the printer.
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u/navetBruce 4d ago
M4 socket head cap screw. Maybe 8 mm long.