Voron Purge Bucket and Wipe Mods — Best Nozzle Cleaning Upgrades

Purge Wipe Mod Toolhead V2.4 Trident V0.2

A purge bucket with an integrated nozzle wiping system is one of the most useful quality-of-life mods you can add to a Voron printer. It gives the printer a dedicated location to purge filament before a print, wipe the nozzle clean of oozed plastic, and ensure a clean start every time. Without a good purge and wipe system, you rely on skirt lines, prime lines, and manual nozzle cleaning — methods that are inconsistent and waste filament. This guide covers every major purge bucket and nozzle wipe mod available for Voron printers.

Last updated: May 2025. We compare brass brush wipers, silicone scrubbers, magnetic purge buckets, self-cleaning pads, and integrated wipe-pump-purge systems. All pricing reflects China-direct sourcing. Difficulty ranges from easy to moderate.

Why a Purge Bucket and Wiper Mod?

Stock Voron printers have no dedicated purge or wipe location. The standard start G-code uses a skirt line or prime line around the build plate to purge filament and clean the nozzle. This approach has several problems:

• Stringing on the build plate: The prime line deposits a string of filament on the build surface, which can interfere with first-layer adhesion. The string must be removed manually before each print.
• Inconsistent nozzle cleaning: A prime line on bare PEI or G10 does not scrub the nozzle. Oozed filament can accumulate on the nozzle face and drip onto the print during the first few layers, causing defects.
• Wasted build plate space: The purge line occupies real estate at the edge of the build plate. On smaller Voron models like the V0.2, this reduces the usable build area.
• No filament change support: When swapping filaments mid-print (or colour changes), there is no dedicated location to purge the old filament and wipe the nozzle clean before resuming.

A well-designed purge bucket and wiper mod solves all of these issues. It provides a location outside the build area where the printer can purge, wipe, and prepare the nozzle for a clean start. The result is consistently better first layers, no more manual cleanup of prime lines, and proper support for filament changes.

Purge Bucket and Wiper Mods Compared

1. Brass Brush Nozzle Wiper

The simplest and most popular wipe mod. A brass bristle brush is mounted on a printed bracket at the edge of the build plate. On the way to the purge bucket, the nozzle drags across the brush, which scrubs off oozed and partially cooked filament. Brass is softer than brass nozzles and harder than brass-plated copper nozzles — it cleans effectively without damaging the nozzle surface.

Pros: Very effective at removing stuck-on filament. Brass bristles last for thousands of wipes. Inexpensive and easy to replace. Compatible with any toolhead and nozzle type.

Cons: Requires periodic cleaning of the brush bristles (use a stiff wire brush or replace the brass brush). Not suitable for hardened steel or ruby nozzles if the brush has steel bristles (verify you are buying 100% brass bristles). The brush can shed bristles over time.

China-direct cost: Brass brush $1-3, printed mount $4-7, M3 hardware $1. Total: ~$6-11.

2. Silicone Nozzle Scrubber (Pad Wiper)

A pad made from high-temperature silicone molded into a textured surface. The nozzle presses into the silicone pad, and the soft/heated plastic releases from the nozzle onto the pad. Silicone scrubbers are often integrated into the purge bucket mount so the wipe and purge happen at the same location.

Pros: No metal-on-metal contact, so no nozzle wear. Self-cleaning to some degree — the filament transfers off the nozzle onto the silicone. Can be heated or left at ambient temperature. Very quiet.

Cons: Silicone pads need replacement every 3-6 months depending on use. Less effective at removing PLA and PETG that has cooled and hardened on the nozzle. Some designs require the silicone to be heated to work optimally.

China-direct cost: Silicone scrubber pad $4-8, printed mount $5-8. Total: ~$9-16.

3. Magnetic Purge Bucket with Integrated Wiper

A complete assembly combining a purge bucket (to catch purged filament) with an integrated wipe surface (brass brush or silicone pad). The assembly mounts magnetically to the frame, so it can be removed easily for cleaning or when not needed. The purge bucket catches the melted filament blob, and the wiper cleans the nozzle as the toolhead passes over it.

Pros: All-in-one solution. Magnetic mounting makes it easy to remove and empty. Integrated design saves space compared to separate purge bucket + wiper. Works with any Voron model by adjusting the bracket size.

Cons: More printed parts than individual components. Magnets must be strong enough to hold the assembly during printing vibration. The integrated design can be trickier to position correctly.

China-direct cost: Printed assembly (bucket + bracket) $8-12, brass brush or silicone pad $3-6, magnets $2-4, hardware $2. Total: ~$15-24.

4. Self-Cleaning Nozzle Pad (SCNP)

A specialized pad made from high-temperature felt or woven ceramic fibre. The pad is mounted in a small tray near the purge bucket. The nozzle presses into the pad at print temperature, and the fibres mechanically scrub the nozzle surface. Some SCNP designs include a small amount of cleaning fluid (water or alcohol) in the pad.

Pros: Excellent cleaning for carbon-fibre filled filaments and other abrasive materials. The pad absorbs molten plastic, so there is no dripping. Replaceable pads cost $1-3 each. The felt material does not scratch hardened nozzles.

Cons: Pads absorb molten plastic and need replacement. The felt can leave fibres on the nozzle that transfer to the first layer. Not suitable for flexible filaments (TPU/TPE) as the fibres catch on the soft nozzle surface.

China-direct cost: Felt SCNP pad $3-5, printed tray $4-7. Total: ~$7-12.

Recommended Build: Magnetic Purge Bucket + Brass Brush Wiper

This is the best all-around solution for most Voron users. It combines the convenience of a magnetic removable bucket with the proven effectiveness of a brass brush wiper.

Installation Steps — Magnetic Purge Bucket + Brass Brush

Step 1: Print the Parts

Download the STL files from the Voron User Mods repository or Printables. Look for a magnetic purge bucket design that includes a wiper mount. Popular designs include the Voron Purge Bucket with Brass Brush Wiper by Eddard and the Voron Trident/V2.4 Magnetic Purge Bucket. The design should include:

• The purge bucket body with a roughly 30x40mm cavity to catch purged filament
• A mounting bracket that attaches to the 2020 extrusion
• A wiper arm or mount for the brass brush
• Magnet pockets in both the bracket and the bucket body

Print in ABS or ASA at 0.2mm layer height. Use 4 perimeters and 40% infill. The bucket needs to be watertight if you plan to use a cleaning fluid in the pad. No supports are typically needed.

Step 2: Install Magnets

Press 10x5mm N52 magnets into the pockets on the mounting bracket and the mating pockets on the purge bucket. Verify the polarity is aligned so the bucket snaps onto the bracket with strong magnetic attraction. If the magnets are loose in the pockets, secure them with a drop of cyanoacrylate glue. The magnetic hold should be firm enough that the bucket does not dislodge during printing but can be removed with a moderate pull.

Step 3: Mount the Bracket on the Frame

The purge bucket mounts on the front vertical extrusion, typically on the right side of the build plate (the same side as the prime line in the stock configuration). Slide M3 T-nuts into the extrusion slot. Mount the bracket at a height where the top of the purge bucket is approximately 5-10mm above the build plate surface. This ensures the toolhead can reach the bucket without crashing into the bed. The bucket should be positioned such that the toolhead travels in a straight line from the parked position at the end of the X gantry, over the brass brush, and stops above the bucket cavity.

Step 4: Install the Brass Brush

Insert the brass brush into the wiper bracket. The bristles should face upward at a slight angle (about 15-20 degrees) so the nozzle passes through them with a gentle scraping motion. The bristle tips should be at approximately Z=0 height relative to the build plate surface. Adjust the wiper arm position so the nozzle passes through the brush bristles at a consistent depth — the bristles should deflect by about 2-3mm as the nozzle passes over.

Step 5: Test and Adjust Position

Home the printer and manually move the toolhead to the purge bucket position. Verify that:

• The nozzle clears the brass brush without hitting the metal ferrule
• The brush bristles contact the nozzle uniformly across the wipe stroke
• The purge bucket cavity is directly below the nozzle when positioned over it
• The toolhead can reach the bucket without exceeding the travel limits

Adjust the bracket position and brush angle until everything aligns. This positioning is the most time-consuming part of the installation, so take your time.

Klipper Configuration

Add a purge and wipe sequence to your print_start macro. This example assumes the purge bucket is at X=265, Y=230 on a V2.4 300mm — adjust the coordinates for your specific printer geometry.

[gcode_macro PURGE_AND_WIPE]
gcode:
  # Nozzle wipe and purge sequence
  # Coordinates: adjust for your purge bucket location
  {% raw %}
  {% set PURGE_X = 265 %}
  {% set PURGE_Y = 230 %}
  {% set WIPE_X_START = 255 %}
  {% set WIPE_X_END = 265 %}
  {% set WIPE_Y = 228 %}
  
  # Park and prepare
  G90
  G1 Z5 F600
  G1 X{WIPE_X_START} Y{WIPE_Y} F12000
  
  # Wipe the nozzle on the brass brush
  # Forward wipe
  G91
  G1 Z0.3 F300
  G90
  G1 X{WIPE_X_END} F600
  G91
  G1 Z-0.3 F300
  G90
  
  # Backward wipe
  G91
  G1 Z0.3 F300
  G90
  G1 X{WIPE_X_START} F600
  G91
  G1 Z-0.3 F300
  G90
  
  # Move to purge position
  G1 X{PURGE_X} Y{PURGE_Y} F12000
  G1 Z1 F300
  
  # Purge filament
  G91
  G1 E15 F60
  G1 E-2 F1200
  G90
  
  # Final wipe after purge
  G1 X{WIPE_X_START} Y{WIPE_Y} F12000
  G91
  G1 Z0.5 F300
  G90
  G1 X{WIPE_X_END} F600
  G91
  G1 Z-0.5 F300
  G90
  
  # Move to print start position
  G1 Z10 F600
  }{% endraw %}

Integrate PURGE_AND_WIPE into your print_start macro before the actual print begins. The sequence: wipe forward (heats and scrapes the nozzle), wipe backward (second pass for stubborn ooze), purge (extrude 15mm of filament to clear the nozzle), final wipe (clean any remaining string from the purge).

Compatibility by Voron Model

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

• Purge bucket fills up quickly: Empty the bucket every 20-30 prints. The purged filament blob can build up and block the nozzle path, causing the nozzle to drag through the hardened plastic. Use a small flathead screwdriver to pop out the blob. A thin layer of silicone grease on the inside of the bucket can prevent filament from sticking.
• Brass brush leaving bristles on the nozzle: Low-quality brass brushes can shed bristles. Buy from a reputable supplier and verify the bristles are 100% brass (not brass-coated steel). Before first use, run the brush across a piece of scrap metal to knock off any loose bristles. If bristles still shed, replace the brush with a higher-quality one ($3-5 from a known brand).
• Nozzle crashing into the bucket: This happens when the purge bucket coordinates in Klipper do not match the actual hardware position. Double-check the X and Y coordinates. Add a 5mm safety margin to the approach path. Use the SET_KINEMATIC_POSITION command to verify the toolhead position matches what Klipper thinks it is.
• Wipe leaves filament residue on the brush: Over time, the brass brush accumulates melted plastic residue. Clean the brush by heating it with a hot air gun or heat gun (be careful with printed ABS parts nearby) and wiping the bristles with a paper towel. For stubborn residue, dip the brush in acetone (remove it from the printer first) and let it dry.
• Silicone scrubber tearing: Silicone pads can tear if the nozzle is too hot or if the nozzle is driven into the pad too aggressively. Reduce the Z depth of the wipe movement. Use a hotter nozzle temperature (10-20C above print temperature) during the wipe to keep the pad soft. Replace the silicone pad when tears appear.
• Magnetic bucket falling off: If the purge bucket dislodges during printing, the magnets are too weak or the mounting bracket is flexing. Use N52 grade magnets with a larger contact area. Add a mechanical latch or slot as a backup if the magnetic hold is insufficient.

Difficulty Level

Brass brush wiper only: Easy (1/5). Print the bracket, mount the brush, calibrate position. About 30-45 minutes.

Silicone scrubber pad: Easy (1/5). Print the tray, insert the pad, calibrate. About 30 minutes.

Magnetic purge bucket + brass brush: Easy-Moderate (2/5). More printed parts, magnet installation, position calibration, and Klipper configuration of the purge/wipe sequence. About 1-2 hours.

Self-cleaning nozzle pad: Moderate (2/5). The pad needs periodic replacement and the fluid (if used) needs to be refilled. About 1 hour for initial installation.

A purge bucket with a brass brush nozzle wiper is one of those mods that seems small but transforms your daily printing experience. It eliminates the prime line string from your build plate, ensures the nozzle is clean at the start of every print, and makes filament changes effortless. The magnetic version takes it a step further by being easily removable for cleaning. For under $20 and an hour of your time, this mod delivers a measurable improvement in first-layer consistency and print quality that you will appreciate on every single print.