<p>I disassembled the hotend side of the Bowden setup to check for deterioration (and found an actual <em>hole</em> in the tube!) for the first time since getting a decent caliper, and after making a clean cut to remove the damaged part, measured the inner diameter at 2.19-2.21 mm. I'm not sure if that's enlarged from wear or the original size it was manufactured as, but either way this suggests that upgrade to Capricorn at 1.95 mm (±0.05 mm) inner diameter should make a significant difference vs my current Bowden tube.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-03T21:23:12.420Z
Capricorn may be stretchier than normal tubes. You may use a normal one (1.9 mm ID) and then use pressure couplings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAHMAojpZvo
FarO
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-02T22:07:16.507Z
2020-12-02T22:47:15.157Z
2020-12-02T22:47:15.157Z
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
<p>I recall hearing claims that the Ender 3 (maybe only newer units?) has a narrower Bowden tube than some printers that helps with flexible materials, but I can't find any authoritative figures. Does it come with a standard 2 mm ID tube that would likely benefit from replacement with a 1.9 mm or smaller (Capricorn one seems popular), or is the stock tube already comparable with these lower-clearance ones? I'm looking to improve speed and quality with flexible filaments and trying to determine if upgrading (and at the same time, shortening) the Bowden tube is a worthwhile direction.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-06T19:17:22.660Z
Doesn't directly answer your question but if you are looking to print a lot with flexible filaments I would consider a direct drive hot end and extruder (something like the E3D Titan or an [upgrade kit.)](https://www.fargo3dprinting.com/products/ender-3-direct-drive-upgrade-kit/)
Dr. Mantis Tobbogan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-08-06T20:13:32.213Z
Direct drive is a big tradeoff, affecting acceleration limits and ringing, unless you get one of those remote direct drives. I'm actually having really good results with Marlin 1.1.9's linear advance feature - flex PLA seems to be able to reach normal PLA speeds with no stringing, minimal underextrusion.
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
<creality-ender-3><bowden>
Ender 3 stock Bowden tube inner diameter? Worth upgrading?
R.. GitHub STOP HELPING ICE
# Ender 3 stock Bowden tube inner diameter? Worth upgrading?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-05-22)

I recall hearing claims that the Ender 3 (maybe only newer units?) has a narrower Bowden tube than some printers that helps with flexible materials, but I can't find any authoritative figures. Does it come with a standard 2 mm ID tube that would likely benefit from replacement with a 1.9 mm or smaller (Capricorn one seems popular), or is the stock tube already comparable with these lower-clearance ones? I'm looking to improve speed and quality with flexible filaments and trying to determine if upgrading (and at the same time, shortening) the Bowden tube is a worthwhile direction.

**Tags:** creality-ender-3, bowden

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Doesn't directly answer your question but if you are looking to print a lot with flexible filaments I would consider a direct drive hot end and extruder (something like the E3D Titan or an [upgrade kit.)](https://www.fargo3dprinting.com/products/ender-3-direct-drive-upgrade-kit/)  
> **username_0**: Direct drive is a big tradeoff, affecting acceleration limits and ringing, unless you get one of those remote direct drives. I'm actually having really good results with Marlin 1.1.9's linear advance feature - flex PLA seems to be able to reach normal PLA speeds with no stringing, minimal underextrusion.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2020-12-02. Score: 1

I disassembled the hotend side of the Bowden setup to check for deterioration (and found an actual *hole* in the tube!) for the first time since getting a decent caliper, and after making a clean cut to remove the damaged part, measured the inner diameter at 2.19-2.21 mm. I'm not sure if that's enlarged from wear or the original size it was manufactured as, but either way this suggests that upgrade to Capricorn at 1.95 mm (±0.05 mm) inner diameter should make a significant difference vs my current Bowden tube.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Capricorn may be stretchier than normal tubes. You may use a normal one (1.9 mm ID) and then use pressure couplings: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAHMAojpZvo  

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