5 Upgrades to Print for Anet A8

The Anet A8 is one of the cheapest 3D printers you can get. Because it is so cheap it has a few issues that need to be fixed in order to get quality prints out of it. I would like to share with you 5 upgrades you can easily print yourself once you assemble the machine. Those upgrades will help to substantially improve the quality of your prints as well as convenience while using the machine.

I share a bit more information and show properly all of the parts in included video. So check it out if you wanna see more.

Originally there is no way to tension belts on the Anet A8. But you can fix this very easily by printing simple belt tensioners. This should probably be one of the first things to print when you get this machine.

There are many options the ones you can see on the pictures works very well for me so I would recommend those. Just make sure you keep your belts long enough. I cut my belt for X-axis too short so I had to use less convenient tensioner (on the picture printed in green) before I got new longer belt.

X belt tensioner 1: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2043719

X belt tensioner 2: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2425783

Y belt tensioner: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2425783

The acrylic frame of Anet A8 is not very rigid. To make it less wobbly you can print reinforcement for the top corners of the frame. It is quick and easy print. The final product just pops nicely into place without any fasteners. The difference in X-axis rigidity is definitely noticeable.

Corner reinforcement: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1672959

Leveling of the bed is originally made by wingnuts. This is not very convenient. You can however easily use regular nuts and print yourself thumb wheels. Those make leveling a piece of cake. You can also print spacers which ensure perfect position between the bolt and the spring. I have printed one for the bottom and one for the top as well.

Bed leveling knob: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2350276

This modification is especially important when printing with PLA. This material requires efficient cooling of each layer. This nozzle directs the flow of air to the printing nozzle from all sides and makes cooling much more efficient.

Fan nozzle: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1620630

This is just a very simple upgrade to print, but it makes the process much more convenient because the filament then doesn't wander around the machine.

Filament guide: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1764285