hybrid PTFE/cork insulator

thingiverse

To create an affordable and potentially superior hot end design, I propose using a wine bottle wooden cork as insulation. The cork's lightweight and airy structure makes it an excellent insulator. Its size and shape perfectly suit the purpose of an insulator. Construction is similar to the wooden dowel insulator with a smaller drill hole allowing the cork to compress when the barrel is screwed in, ensuring a tight hold. The PTFE insert threading is unnecessary since the interface between PTFE and cork will suffice. Simply push the tube through the hole, then secure it by screwing the barrel. Trim excess material and widen the end with a countersink bit while clearing the hole with a 1/8" drill bit. Despite some limitations like not working with one-piece barrel/nozzles or failing to hold as a bowden cable retainer, this design offers an unbeatable cost-effectiveness in insulation.