Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
Hello,
i have received some DIY filament made from PET bottle today. It was bigger in diameter (1.9), however i still tried to print with it end ended up with this (picture below). After disassembling my MK3 hotend i managed to get the filament out. I can't pull the filament out of PTFE tube though (using pliers), it is stuck there properly. Is there a way to possibly salvage the tube so i do not have to order a new one? Picture is attached. 
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
I would try a heat gun. Start at the nozzle end.
You want to soften most of it, but leave a bit hard enough to grab.
Good luck - and stock up on some PTFE tubing.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
@robert-rmm200
Thank you, and thanks for the advice, i'll see if i can borrow one tomorrow. I've just read the guide on how to prepare the tubing (i though i could only get properly cut tubes from Prusa), so i'm ordering generic PTFE tube now and see if i can drill it properly in order for it to work.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
stick the ptfe in the kitchen oven, wrapped in tinfoil, while nobody is watching...
have heatproof gloves paper towels and a 1.5mm allen wrench handy,
heat to 220C, remove from oven, rip off tinfoil, which should take most of the escaped filament with it, then try poking the blockage out, with allen wrench...
Good luck, and please don't cite me, in the divorce hearing, if you get caugt! 😎
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
@robert-rmm200
Thank you, and thanks for the advice, i'll see if i can borrow one tomorrow. I've just read the guide on how to prepare the tubing (i though i could only get properly cut tubes from Prusa), so i'm ordering generic PTFE tube now and see if i can drill it properly in order for it to work.
Get your tubing from a reputable 3D printer house. You should not have to drill it, and it should be the correct external diameter..
Test each section you cut. Make sure the hole is centered, and your 1.75 mm filament slides easily through it.
Do this even for Prusa tubing.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
Just a note that bottle PET is not filament PET, one is likely PETE and the other is PETG. They have very different properties so you may have trouble printing with PETE.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
@joantabb
Thanks Joan! I've just fired up the oven, and while waiting I thought i'd give it another go with the pliers using different technique and it worked - its liberated now! My brain must be working better in the morning. SO no eviction or grounding for me this time 🙂 (i'm wintering over at my mom's)
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
@robert-rmm200
Thanks for the tip Robert, after this experience my PTFE tube looks a bit battered and slightly deformed at the entrance, so i'm likely to experience issues with it and might need to be replaced.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
Just a note that bottle PET is not filament PET, one is likely PETE and the other is PETG. They have very different properties so you may have trouble printing with PETE.
Yes, you are correct, its printing temp is about 260C and it is more challenging to print (crystalization and all). But the person who is producing the filament seems to have mastered the technique. I doubt i would be printing with it any time soon again as i imagine i need to make a custom hotend for 1.9mm filament, and that is not something i'm going to embark upon with my current level of skills (and equipment available to me). Not to mention time to recover from stress of breaking my beloved Prusa printer )
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
@volodymyr-p2
Lucky escape... 🙂
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
What do i do if i can't choose the best answer? Its kind of a waste not to award a point as they where all useful answers to me (and others) in terms of knowledge and expertise (even if not immediately applied to this because i switched on my brain and pulled it correctly and it worked). Eeny, meeny, miny, moe?
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
I am happy with the likes you already distributed!
We all post here to try to help.
RE: Is there a way to salvage this troubled PTFE tube?
me too!... 'likes' are appreciated...
we gave you ideas, you fixed the problem!
Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK