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Topic: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

So I used the ABS to clean out the unit like instructed, and it came out fine, but now that I am trying to use it for PLA, it's coming out very thin (about 1.0 - 1.03), and I cannot figure out what I am not doing right, anyone have any suggestions please?

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

Did you lower your temp?

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

I did try that, and it didn't seem to make much headway. I dropped it to the recommended min (185), and then even tried down to 175, without much In the way of a difference. is there a recommended setting to the amps and such I should be looking at as well?

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

175C is still pretty hot for PLA.

The current limit should be set according to the instructions.

You may need to drill out your nozzle, PLA has less die swell than ABS.

5 (edited by steveiforgot 2020-05-26 11:47:18)

Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

so what is the general temp range for recycling PLA? Maybe if i'm lucky it's a simplistic solution
I  swear I thought I saw it say temp to be around 185 for extrusion?

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

I'd say 150C-170C, depends on the specific type of PLA.

7 (edited by steveiforgot 2020-05-27 14:12:54)

Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

ok, so part of it seems like there may have been a bit of a jam on the hopper going into the feeder. does anyone know of anything that'll give a good idea (like a particular sifter of something) to know what pieces are too big? I used a paper shredder, and then a coffee grinder, but I think maybe there are some pieces that are too large? or is there something to add to "shake" the hopper maybe? (the simpler the better, it is me we are talking about after all)
   I have ben at it awhile now, and I have been playing around with the temp and such, and if I drop the temp to around 155, it starts to begin to output closer to 1.75, but it keeps shutting itself down, i'm assuming because the motor is now too slow, and I cannot for the life of me get anywhere past this point

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

ok, so part of it seems like there may have been a bit of a jam on the hopper going into the feeder. does anyone know of anything that'll give a good idea (like a particular sifter of something) to know what pieces are too big? I used a paper shredder, and then a coffee grinder, but I think maybe there are some pieces that are too large?

This implies you're jumping straight from the included ABS to recycled PLA? That's taking the training wheels off pretty quickly. Regarding particle size, no particle should have a dimension exceeding 5mm in order to feed well.

I have ben at it awhile now, and I have been playing around with the temp and such, and if I drop the temp to around 155, it starts to begin to output closer to 1.75, but it keeps shutting itself down, i'm assuming because the motor is now too slow, and I cannot for the life of me get anywhere past this point

Yes, 155C is getting on the cool side, again depending on the specific type of PLA. You're reaching the motor limits. As I mentioned before, you will likely need to drill out the nozzle to compensate for the reduced die swell of PLA. The nozzle is drilled by default to 1.6mm, because it is easier to make a small hole bigger if needed than to try to make a hole that is too big smaller. You can drill it out with a regular hand drill, I'd go to 1.7 or 1.8mm.

9 (edited by steveiforgot 2020-05-28 02:05:24)

Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

sorry, gonna post here as well, what drill bit would that be in American fractions? I tried googling it, but I am not getting a fractional answer but a decimal point only

also, something i'm noticing, when the filament starts to drop to collect on the floor, it seems to stretch, would placing another fan to cool the filament faster be the solution for this, or will the larger drilled hole be the only needed fix?

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

Easy enough to get metric drills in the US. You are not looking hard enough if you can't

Sd4 #9080 with a glass bed. E3d chimera duel extruder. Paste extruder , duet wifi.
Lawsy carriages. linear bearings. Y axis direct drive, Kinect scanner
SD4#8188 glass bed, lawsly carriages, E3d v6, octoprint http://www.ustream.tv/channel/hotrod96z28
Filastruder/filawinder, Custom Delta 300mm x 600mm

11 (edited by Tin Falcon 2020-05-29 10:09:14)

Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

or use a number size bit  fractional not the right size

# 51 is 1.70 mm   # 50 is 1.78 mm  49 = 1.85 mm

Soliddoodle 4 stock w glass bed------Folger Tech Prusa 2020 upgraded to and titan /aero extruder mirror bed
FT5 with titan/ E3D Aero------MP mini select w glass bed
MP Utimate maker pro-W bondtech extruder
Marlin/Repetier Host/ Slic3r and Cura

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

I personally used this - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H4NHL2A/ , that exact one that I bought a few years ago isn't available anymore, but Amazon of course has suggestions on similar products.  Secure the nozzle, then use a drill press.  You can practice on cheaper, non-meltfilter nozzles from Filastruder, but in my experience you get more consistent diameters from meltfilter nozzles.

Sidenote:  Back in April when we were all stuck at home I tried making my own melt filter nozzle from a regular nozzle bought from Filastruder using a CNC that was put together using 3D printed parts - any interest in seeing me write about that in a new topic?

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Re: first batch after ABS cleanout, and it's extremely thin

Yeah!