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Jim
 Jim
(@jim-11)
Active Member
Nozzle Life

How long did your brass nozzle last? What were the symptoms that indicated it needed replacing?
Thanks!

Posted : 23/07/2018 2:59 am
rob.l6
(@rob-l6)
Honorable Member
Re: Nozzle Life

How long it lasts depends on the materials you print with, and other factors. Perhaps around the 180 to 200 hr mark for "typical" printing.

Symptoms often relate to poor bed adhesion, so all first layer issues, extrusion weirdness etc.

💡 If you are concerned, and as they are so cheap, why not just change it out at set intervals? It can only help your print process.

Posted : 23/07/2018 3:49 am
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Re: Nozzle Life

Raise your Z to maximum, heat it up and extrude some material. Does the molten filament flow evenly? Are your 1st layer prints even and consistent, and unchanged from earlier prints? Does a visual inspection show any wear or uneven shape to the bore? If not, you're probably OK. As noted though, having a spare is always a good idea, so have at least one ready to swap in. Now that you've asked the question, fate dictates that you've got less than a week before your nozzle starts causing problems, so order now!

These are not particularly great nozzles, but they give you a variety of sizes from 0.20mm (useless IME) to 0.80mm brass nozzles. Not great, but fine for some experimentation with PLA, and you get 2 X 0.40mm spares. More importantly, it includes the 17mm wrench and 7mm socket that are ideal for getting the nozzle off without twisting the heatbreak and burning fingers with dropped hot nozzles. Once you find sizes you start working with, I'd order some quality versions manufactured by E3D. Hardened steel if planning on printing with filled materials, but keep those to larger sizes.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 23/07/2018 3:55 pm
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