New Nozzle, new machine!
I was reading where many people have a brass nozzle for a year or 2.. So I use PLA & PETG pretty exclusively.. Some TPU and maybe 1 hour of PC; nothing with carbon. Galaxy PLA/PETG, but I don't think that is abrasive. Well, I was recently getting stringing on all my filaments and after cursing out the manufacturers, decided to look at my nozzle. I didn't have a 0.5mm drill to test it so I just measured extruded plastic, that measured about 0.6.. I only had the nozzle for about 8 mo. (MK3+) but being a newbie, have likely abused it somewhat on Z calibrations.. forgetting about setting the right sheet (so it plowed into the surface a bit).. I've also used a brass bristle brush on it a few times when it amassed some huge blobs..
When I built the Scarbo Car model (with original nozzle) that used a bunch of small square pegs & holes and my holes were much too small requiring huge amounts of filing.
Anyway.. once I installed the new nozzle, the machine is like a different beast.. Stringing has gone away and the models that I had tight fitting parts are now miraculously loose.
So check your nozzle often.. Likely if it wears, you can change the nozzle diameter in the slicer and that might help alleviate some of the issues I was seeing.. I wonder if setting the slicer to a nozzle of 0.55 would have reduced stringing? Anyone try that as their nozzle ages?
Changing the nozzle was pretty easy with the Prusa video.. but I don't notice the gap between the nozzle & heatsink.. Could be too much crud on there so difficult to tell.. that worries me a bit.. If I need a new hotend.. will likely install a Revo. When I looked at a new nozzle and my old one under a microscope, huge difference.. You could see the enlarged hole and flattened end. Hole looked at least 0.55.
Just my experience. I will be keeping a better eye on my nozzle diameter and I think simply measuring extrusion will let you know how your nozzle is aging.
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
And of course there's always the option of going with a hardened nozzle. I splurged and upgraded all printers with tungsten carbide nozzles (3D Maker Engineering and spool3D). No need to worry anymore about abrasive materials or wearing out a nozzle.
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
I print primarily PETG and occasionally PLA. I’ve yet to print any abrasive materials but I hope to experiment with some at a future date.
After a little over a year printing with the original nozzle, I felt my print quality was slightly off and decided to replace the nozzle during routine maintenance.
I chose a nickel plated copper nozzle by E3D and I’m very pleased with the results. The machine prints like new again and it ‘seems’ like the plated nozzle is less prone to PETG sticking to it than the original brass nozzle.
Brushing off any errant blobs with a nylon brush to keep from scratching up the plating. So far so good. Of course, your mileage may vary.
Cheers
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
And of course there's always the option of going with a hardened nozzle. I splurged and upgraded all printers with tungsten carbide nozzles (3D Maker Engineering and spool3D). No need to worry anymore about abrasive materials or wearing out a nozzle.
Do you leave them in for standard PLA, PETG, ASA, etc. materials? I was researching replacing the standard nozzle with a hardened nozzle and saw some downsides. I don’t know if the tungsten was a better all around solution?
Mini+MK3S+XL 5 Tool
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
I always leave it in. I tried the Nozzle X before (hardened steel) but it required changes to the print profiles. The tungsten carbides print just like brass.
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
How often should a nozzle be checked - and how do you check to see whether a nozzle is worn or not??
Sorry - new to 3D Printing!!
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
Same. I went for TC for the same reason, where TC has thermal properties close to brass.
Sure, it was a little more expensive but not having to play around with the default profiles, which have worked well for me, is a huge plus.
I always leave it in. I tried the Nozzle X before (hardened steel) but it required changes to the print profiles. The tungsten carbides print just like brass.
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
And, Nozzle X you can't cold pull. Silly (being polite).
3dMakerEngineering TC for the win. Tweak nothing, print, print, print forever without worry. If something funny happens, you can rule out the nozzle.
Don’t trust forum advice.
RE:
damn.. have a Nozzle X sitting in my parts bin.. Don't like the changing profile thing.. will order a TC .. I can't believe how much difference the new brass nozzle made to my prints.. wow..
RE: New Nozzle, new machine!
Go with 3DMakerEngineering or Spool3D. I use nozzles from both companies. High quality and full TC, not just the tip or an alloy. Spool3D has more variants (from 0.25 to 0.8mm) but I've had hiccups with import from Canada.