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Fotoman
(@fotoman)
Trusted Member
Changing nozzle question

The instructions from Prusa say to make sure there is no filament left in the hot end before changing the nozzle. How does one do this. If I remove the filament, there always appears to be a little left in the nozzle (maybe I am wrong, but that is the way it looks). Will high heat make it drip out? Some other way of making this happen?

Proud owner of a Mk3 that is producing very nice prints. There is room for improvement as I learn more about it, but so far I am very happy.

Posted : 30/04/2018 11:49 pm
Nikolai
(@nikolai)
Noble Member
Re: Changing nozzle question


The instructions from Prusa say to make sure there is no filament left in the hot end before changing the nozzle. How does one do this. If I remove the filament, there always appears to be a little left in the nozzle (maybe I am wrong, but that is the way it looks). Will high heat make it drip out? Some other way of making this happen?

You're correct. In the nozzle is still something. By hotend is usually meant the whole head as a unit. Maybe "Unload any loaded filament from the hotend" will be a more accurate verbiage.
Dripping out is not a valid option. It might get burned in the nozzle.

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Posted : 01/05/2018 12:10 am
chad.k
(@chad-k)
Eminent Member
Re: Changing nozzle question

The best way I've seen to cleaning out a nozzle before replacing it was doing a 'cold pull'. It ensures that the nozzle is completely evacuated, but works best with nylon filament. A single pull (provided it produces a proper outline of the nozzle) is enough to empty it. The process requires a fair bit of force, so be very careful and patient or you might break something.

These two pages describe it pretty well (they're for other printers, but the process is fairly universal):
http://bukobot.com/nozzle-cleaning
https://printrbot.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/202100554-How-to-Unclog-the-Hotend-The-Cold-Pull

Posted : 02/05/2018 5:18 am
rob.l6
(@rob-l6)
Honorable Member
Re: Changing nozzle question

Nozzles are so cheap and once you've done it a couple of times, pretty quick to change out. I think it's easier to replace than worry about trying to clean/restore them.

Posted : 02/05/2018 5:37 am
PJR
 PJR
(@pjr)
Antient Member Moderator
Re: Changing nozzle question


Nozzles are so cheap and once you've done it a couple of times, pretty quick to change out. I think it's easier to replace than worry about trying to clean/restore them.

+1

When you get into the habit of cleaning nozzles, you spend more time cleaning than printing.

As soon as I get nozzle problems, swap it out. I have a very dusty environment, so I change nozzles about once a month. Also why I don't use exotic nozzles..

Peter

Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…

Posted : 02/05/2018 12:56 pm
Chileo
(@chileo)
Active Member
Re: Changing nozzle question



Nozzles are so cheap and once you've done it a couple of times, pretty quick to change out. I think it's easier to replace than worry about trying to clean/restore them.

+1

When you get into the habit of cleaning nozzles, you spend more time cleaning than printing.

As soon as I get nozzle problems, swap it out. I have a very dusty environment, so I change nozzles about once a month. Also why I don't use exotic nozzles..

Peter

What do you normaly use for replacement nozzle? The ones from Prusa?

Posted : 02/05/2018 4:19 pm
GertL
(@gertl)
Reputable Member
Re: Changing nozzle question

I buy mine from E3D
https://e3d-online.com/nozzles-for-3d-printer/v6-nozzles

---
Gert

Posted : 02/05/2018 4:36 pm
PJR
 PJR
(@pjr)
Antient Member Moderator
Re: Changing nozzle question


What do you normaly use for replacement nozzle? The ones from Prusa?

E3D direct, just like Gert.

Peter

Please note: I do not have any affiliation with Prusa Research. Any advices given are offered in good faith. It is your responsibility to ensure that by following my advice you do not suffer or cause injury, damage…

Posted : 02/05/2018 5:50 pm
Fotoman
(@fotoman)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Changing nozzle question

Thanks for all your help and suggestions. I ended up just unloading the Filament and then heated the nozzle to 285 degrees, removed the old nozzle and replaced it with an Olson Ruby with the tool as per their instructions.

Thanks again

Proud owner of a Mk3 that is producing very nice prints. There is room for improvement as I learn more about it, but so far I am very happy.

Posted : 02/05/2018 7:11 pm
rob.l6
(@rob-l6)
Honorable Member
Re: Changing nozzle question



What do you normaly use for replacement nozzle? The ones from Prusa?

Well, some may shudder at the thought but I bought some off eBay (J-Head brand) to try out. I have to say that I have not noticed any difference in print quality. However, the risk here may be quality control, you may get a few baddies in the bunch. But when they cost literally cents ...

Posted : 03/05/2018 3:51 am
GertL
(@gertl)
Reputable Member
Re: Changing nozzle question

I can recommend below tool for swapping the nozzle.
Its very easy to bend the hotend putting to much force sideways (been there).
https://support.3dverkstan.se/article/66-the-olsson-ruby-instructions-for-use

Works very well and you will see that you do not need to tighten so hard.

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Gert

Posted : 03/05/2018 8:41 am
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