1 Topic by icecats

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Topic: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

Dear Soliforum and Filastruder Community,
I have been using my awesome Filastruder for a couple of days, and would now like to switch from extruding ABS to PLA. Does anyone have any tips on switching material? Thanks, icecats

2 Reply by raykholo

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

After you finish the initial ABS purge, are you planning to switch over to a nozzle with melt filter?  If yes, now is the time to do so.  (If you're running a nozzle smaller than 0.6mm, you should use a melt filter.) 

Once you've made the change (if you do) then just start putting PLA pellets in your hopper.  Keep the temp at 180 until all the ABS is flushed out.  This does take a little while but believe me, you'll know once all the ABS is out.  Natural pla comes out translucent and at 180 degrees, it will be quite thin.  Once it's just PLA coming out, bring your temp down to PLA temps.

3 Reply by icecats

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

Thanks for the reply. Is there any way to diy a melt filter? I infer that the .6 nozzle diameter you are referring to is on the printer, correct? Thanks, icecats

4 Reply by elmoret

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

The other option is to hot pull the nozzle and reach in with needle nose pliers to clean out most of the ABS.

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5 Reply by raykholo

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

I'm not a big fan of saying no, but Tim's filters are CNC machined to precision.  It's money well spent. 

Here's an in depth discussion:  http://www.soliforum.com/topic/3856/mel … to-get-it/

Yes, the printer nozzle.   Since 0.4, 0.5, and 0.35 are the most common sized hotends, yupp, melt filter.  Clogs are nasty to deal with, I've had to clear them too many times.

6 Reply by icecats

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

Thanks, I will look into getting a melt filter.

7 Reply by tonycstech

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

If you have chips in your filament, pull the drill bit out and see where it scratches the tube.
Polish the scratched tube area with sand paper and use some grinder to grind off the part that scratches the tube.
Dont just grind it off, make it smooth so it would slide across the tube surface rather then scratching it.

I did it and no more flakes.

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8 Reply by milehigh3dII

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Re: How to switch from ABS to PLA?

I've gotten good at taking my Filastruder apart and back together.  I just take the barrel off and soak it in acetone to get all the ABS out.  Probably not needed, but it makes for good switches between colors.