Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer as a spindle replacement for a Creality K1C
The Space Pi, paired with the K1C
I was pretty impressed when my Creality K1C arrived. The packaging was extremely good, and the printer arrived intact and unharmed.
…and then I noticed that the screw-in spindle that goes on the back was missing. I went through the packaging a couple times, verifying that it was not present. Not cool. Then again, who wants their filament mounted to the back anyway, right? I was going to print the side-mount filament bracket, but then I realized that it used the same spindle. Argh.
My immediate solution was to use a SUNLU S2 Filament Dryer S2 that I had sitting around, as a filament holder. I then ordered the Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer for about $60.
My first experience with the Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer was positive. It was packed well, and didn't suffer any damage in shipping. It also has the same design language as the K1s, which is nice. As far as the operation of the device goes, it's fairly quiet (when closed). The controls are intuitive. Performance seems fine. I wish that the thing could either be linked to the operation of my K1C - like it could shut off within a certain amount of time of the rollers supporting the spool not moving any more. I'm planning on addressing this with a kludgy z-wave solve, but it would be better if this were considered in the design. There's a PTFE tube guiding the filament out of the dryer. I don't necessarily love that, especially since there's another PTFE tube guiding the filament into the K1C, but it's only an inconvenience when changing filament. But hey, who does that often? Oh, nvm.
In terms of build quality, it looks way more solid than it is. The unit is tippy when the lid is flipped open, but you don't operate it with the lid open. Overall, it's more robust than my Sunlu S2, but it's not exactly a tank.
This setup solves the filament location issue with the K1s, but there’s still one issue - the filament runout sensor is still on the back (as is the Bowden tube). The solution is actually pretty clean.
See Guys Shop video here.
Here is the bracket on Printables.
Side profile, showing how much room you have to relocate the runout sensor
As far as the Creality Space Pi Filament Dryer goes, you should definitely get it to complement your K1.
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