Filament clogged in hotend  

RE: Filament clogged in hotend

Posted by: @rladams65

I made a mistake and let the PLA filament run out (after I fell asleep)

I have used a cleaning rod (stainless needle) to clear out goop from the hot side, but I seem to have a solid mass somewhere up from that - and so I can't get anything into the feed at the top.

Any thoughts on how to push the mess through?

I use a 1.5-1.7mm tungsten welding rod.

RE: Filament clogged in hotend

A stiff wire or rod long enough to reach through can be used to find the block; with one end wrapped against heat you can push it through after heating to pla temperatures - or if that fails go up to 250/260 deg.

After that it would pay to do a cold pull to clear out any residues.

Cheerio,

RE: Filament clogged in hotend

I've got notes on clearing filament jams here that might be useful. 

RE: Filament clogged in hotend

Fixed - Thanks again.

For reference 1.5mm is almost 1/16" = 16 gauge. In the US, the next size up (i.e. 5/64 was too big)

I wanted a brass rod, but could not find one at any store.

I found a 25ft spool of 16 gauge steel fence wire for $2.50 and cut off about a foot of that. I coiled one end to make a 'handle' and I filed the business end to make it mostly flat. I straightened the 'tool shaft' by hand as best I could.

I turned the nozzel up to 255 and after about 3 minutes of anxiety + some gentle pressure, whatever was stuck let go and the PLA flowed like water out of the nozzle.

RE: Filament clogged in hotend

Posted by: @rladams65

[...] I wanted a brass rod, but could not find one at any store.

Hobby shops should have brass rods. Inexpensive rods are used for shaping things like RC servo links. Anything appropriately sized will work. Just be sure it can take the heat!

I found a 25ft spool of 16 gauge steel fence wire for $2.50 and cut off about a foot of that. I coiled one end to make a 'handle' and I filed the business end to make it mostly flat. I straightened the 'tool shaft' by hand as best I could.

I had something similar myself. I have many fancier tools, but it's still the one that gets me out of the most jams.

I turned the nozzel up to 255 and after about 3 minutes of anxiety + some gentle pressure, whatever was stuck let go and the PLA flowed like water out of the nozzle.

I once had to go up to 285C and use pliers to keep steady pressure on, but happily had the same experience. In fact, that's the result shown in the picture on my notes page. The big thing is to avoid twisting the extruder. Brace it as you apply pressure from above or below.

Thanks for the tip on fence wiring. I'll add some notes to my page for the next poor soul that gets stuck.