How to manually extrude filament?  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

On the Mini, Settings, Move Axis, Move E.

On the Mk3S, Settings, Move Axis, Extruder.

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

@fuchsr

Ah, thanks.  I've always wondered what moving that axis meant.  Now it makes sense.

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

Or disengage the idler on Mk3s and feed it by hand.  On the mini, remove the Bowden and feed it by hand.  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

Posted by: @cwbullet

Or disengage the idler on Mk3s and feed it by hand.  On the mini, remove the Bowden and feed it by hand.  

That requires unscrewing the bolt that holds the door closed, I think.  Seems like too much work when changing filaments, and then you're still scraping filament on the active gear, aren't you?  Seems like that would create dust to gum up the works in the long run?

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

@ga-3

No, I just take off the brass fitting on the top of the hotend.  I only use it to purge.  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

Posted by: @ga-3

I've been having trouble with PLA (MatterHackers Pro) filament getting jammed (bondtech gear clicking). Most recently this ended up grinding clear through the filament, and I had to take out the heat sink to remove the jam.  In this article:

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-hardware-firmware-and-software-help/broken-filament-in-extruder-please-advise/

it says to "always extrude 20-25 mm" before unloading.  That makes sense, but it's not clear to me how to manually extrude at all?

I misunderstood.  You want to electronically purge and not manually.  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

Posted by: @cwbullet

@ga-3

No, I just take off the brass fitting on the top of the hotend.  I only use it to purge.  

I see from the following comment you're talking about manually purging.  I don't understand quite what you mean by manually purging.  Under what circumstances would one want/need to do that, other than to clear a clog?  And what is the brass fitting you're referencing?  The top of the hotend on my mk3s isn't accessible without a lot of dis-assembly.  Directly above it are the feed gears and above that the PETG cover which is screwed down.  I'm obviously confused?

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

@ga-3

I use a manual purge to push out a partial clog,  It works well with purging filament.  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

cwbullet may be referring to the Mini, which has a brass fitting on top of the hotend. 

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

@fuchsr

Thank you for the clarification.  I will say you can do the same on the MK3S by releasing the idler screw and feeding filament freely.  

RE: How to manually extrude filament?

Thanks, both of you for the clarifications.  All makes sense now.