1 Topic by Mr_Smigs

  • Mr_Smigs
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Topic: can't even do first print - not extruding

trying to feed in the new filament for a first print,
just got the printer out of the box, and there's still a tiny scrap of old filament in the printer,

when i feed the new filament in as per the instructions,  the wheels grind against the new filament (it's pushed so it looks like 2 strands the old and new are trying to feed into the heating unit,

but the plastic is not exiting the head at the right rate...


there is a slow "drip" (for lack of a better term) of plastic coming from the head,  not at a notable rate (in the length of typing this email, maybe 3mm has extruded by itself)

when i try to start a print,  the head moves, but no plastic is extruded...

2 Reply by Mr_Smigs

  • Mr_Smigs
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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

and yes, i did manage to push a wire into the extruder from the bottom to check for a clog.   it came out with plastic residue, but the extruder is still only giving the terribly slow tiny drip...

3 Reply by solijohn

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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

Mr_Smigs wrote:

and yes, i did manage to push a wire into the extruder from the bottom to check for a clog.   it came out with plastic residue, but the extruder is still only giving the terribly slow tiny drip...

You have to get extruding!

First, have you adjusted your thumbscrew?

Former Solidoodle employee, no longer associated with the company.

4 Reply by mm2tts

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  • Registered: 2012-11-16
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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

Have you tried the reverse button (through Pronterface) to back the stub of old filament from the extruder before inserting the new filament end? The extruder must be at temperature before this is attempted.

5 Reply by Mr_Smigs

  • Mr_Smigs
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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

the filiment was below the feed wheels...  but i was able to push it into the extruder finally with a paperclip... seems to be working now...

6 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
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  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

You have to make sure all or most of the filament is at least into the peek before you feed in a new one, if you double up it won't feed through.  I don't know if that's what happened but I've done it before and it can be tough.

7 Reply by elmoret

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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

Yeah, until you get good at it, it's more reliable to back the filament all the way out before feeding in more.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

8 Reply by cmetzel

  • cmetzel
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  • From: Solidoodle2 #0091
  • Registered: 2012-08-22
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Re: can't even do first print - not extruding

I've got a great working system with a small allen wrench.  I just clip, run it through past the roller, then I hit the top of it with an allen wrench while holding back the roller and push it through manually.  Then take the new filament and push it in until it stops, and run 100mm or so through to get the color to change.  Works like a charm for me and I never have to back anything out which has always been a pain and caused more trouble than it was worth.