My K1 Journey

This page describes my journey with my k1, I purchased in november 2023 for my 50th birthday present to myself!

It describes:

• hardware mods
• software
• automation of installation of my setup after a factory reset

Hardware mods

BIQU Microprobe

This by far is the most consequential mod I have done, this allowed me to dump a substantial amount of creality gcode, specifically since i stopped using the prtouch, I could basically install vanilla klipper, the only thing stopping me going completely vanilla klipper is the creality boot loader on the tool head which requires firmware be built from Creality version of klipper.

I discovered there was a mod for installing a bltouch to replace the prtouch for levelling and do manual z-offset, I actually was using that mod for a while, but I really wanted side mounted, so I bought a BIQU (aka Big Tree Tech) micro probe and mounted that on the side of the tool head using the lidar mounting screw holes.

Refer to https://github.com/pellcorp/creality/wiki/BIQU-MicroProbe-v2

The Model

I ended up remixing the side mounted model to squeeze a few mm more of bed coverage out of it, I also tweaked the model slightly to make it easier to thread the probe mounting holes, a shame that the lidar mount points are plastic only and no threaded inserts, I have to be careful not to remove the mount again for fear of wearing out the holes!

This is my remix: https://www.printables.com/model/867527-k1-biqu-microprobe-mount-remix

270 degree hinges

I wanted to be able to open my k1 door and swing it around to the side for easier maintenance and access, so I printed this model:

https://www.printables.com/model/510839-270-degree-door-hinge-for-creality-k1

Feet that stay on

I often move my K1 around, it sits on my table saw which is not ideal if I want to use my table saw, but the feet would often fall out, so I printed this model:

https://www.printables.com/model/541932-foot-upgrade-creality-k1-series

Fill the gaps around the door

In order to reduce leakage for and ingress points for dust I printed this model:

https://www.printables.com/model/551917-creality-k1-door-cover

Belt tensioner upgrades

Not sure this is required, but it does feel more secure tightening the belt tensioners:

https://www.printables.com/model/615689-creality-k1-xy-belt-tensioners-upgrade

Shims for bed

My bed was not quite trammed, so I printed a single shim for the right front screw and that worked nicely: https://www.printables.com/model/681528-bed-shims-fits-creality-k1-and-k1-max

Lid riser

I wanted to give the ptfe a bit more room so it was not on such a sharp angle, also allowed me to do a few more mods for quality of life reasons:

https://www.printables.com/model/520207-jc-creality-k1-lid-riser

Reduce chain drag

I originally used both models, but after using the model that goes on the tool head, I found it hard to get the shroud removed, at some point I may tweak the model a bit to fix this issue, for now though I just use the model which slightly changes the angle of the start of the chain:

https://www.printables.com/model/773851-cable-camel-fits-creality-k1-and-k1-max

Better clearance for back

This was especially important once I added the cable camel part:

https://www.printables.com/model/669220-remixed-betweener-notch-for-chain-support

Side mounted PTFE to dry box

I have a sovol dry box, I wanted to leave PETG roll on my printer for sometimes weeks on end as I don't always get a lot of time to use the k1, so I use this model:

https://www.printables.com/model/645298-creality-k1-lid-riser-with-side-load-filament

Better filament sensor loading

Rear spool holder plug

Once I removed the filament spool holder, needed something to fill the hole:

https://www.printables.com/model/674725-remix-creality-k1-rear-spool-holder-plug

I also designed a mod to make it easier to feed filament: https://www.printables.com/model/659770-k1-filament-sensor-ptfe-m10-mount

Reverse bowden tube clamps to chain

The boden tube is a bit too constricted inside the chain, so I used these to clamp it:

https://www.printables.com/model/496694-k1-bowden-tube-clips

To avoid really sharp ptfe into the hotend

I printed this: https://www.printables.com/model/621037-creality-k1-ptfe-guide

Tuning stuff

I went down the rabbit hole of trying to tune my belts to both be 110hz, this was a mistake, however there were a few prints which helped me get back to where I started :-)

• https://www.printables.com/model/523382-creality-k1-belt-tension-meter
• https://www.printables.com/model/523718-creality-k1-and-k1-max-xy-axes-alignment-tool

Is there an app for that

Spectroid

For those of us with eye sight affected by age (I am now 50), I had a real problem trying to use spectroid even on a 10" tablet, the app seems to use the same font size even on the tablet which is very frustrating.

Use the app horizontally and pinch and zoom the app so its around 40 to 160hz range so its a bit easier to see.

Tuner - Pitched

This I found a bit easier to use, but still finicky

Software Changes

I am currently working on a project called Simple AF K1 Klipper and I am working on this here: https://github.com/pellcorp/creality/wiki/K1-Stock-Mainboard-Less-Creality

I have retired my original scripts from: https://github.com/pellcorp/printers/tree/master/k1

References

A recent post to reddit highlights the master-server hammering flash storage with thousands of log messages per hour: https://www.reddit.com/r/crealityk1/comments/1c9nqem/massive_amount_of_writes_to_the_internal_emmc/