1 Topic by MachineHum

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Topic: Cold End

Does anyone know where to get (or how to clear) the cold end of an XYZ extruder...

I don't have access to a good vice or drill press, it's all clogged up with plastic. I contacted the customer service and they told me to buy a whole new extruder. Out of pure principle that's not happening.

What about bathing it in acetone and then try to drill it out (carefully)

http://soliforum.com/i/?sqBO7wf.jpg

On a side note... has anyone tried hacking on a J-head? I've heard good things about those.

2 Reply by carl_m1968 (edited by carl_m1968 2015-09-23 23:56:09)

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Re: Cold End

What material have you been printing? If it was ABS just soak it in Acetone for about 8 hours and it will dissolve most of the material.

If you have been printing PLA then nothing safe for your well being will dissolve it. You can use a torch and burn it though.

As for modding many have changed to the E3D V6 and there are several post with the links for the carriage mods.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
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3 Reply by mark.burton

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Re: Cold End

A torch will work on abs as well and is a lot faster

4 Reply by scobo (edited by scobo 2015-09-24 06:07:24)

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Re: Cold End

I've managed to clear a bad blockage in the past just using a drill.
Heating the extruder first might help if it's really bad.

Davinci 1.0 with repetier firmware & E3D V6 Lite
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5 Reply by MachineHum

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Re: Cold End

I don't have a torch ... BBQ?

Or i'll grab some acetone. Is that stuff okay to breath in? Obviously I'm not going to try to breath it, but should I take any precautions?

Thanks for the help guys!!

6 Reply by mark.burton (edited by mark.burton 2015-09-24 23:19:44)

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Re: Cold End

You don't want to breath it but if you put it in a mason jar and then put the lid on it you will be fine.

Note acetone  will only work if its abs.

7 Reply by MachineHum

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Re: Cold End

Yeah it's ABS...

Perfect, thanks.

8 Reply by Macflame

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Re: Cold End

I bought a small chefs blowtorch specifically for clearing throats/nozzles. After burning all the filament off I use a inter dental brush dipped in isopropanol to clear any sooty residue.

9 Reply by barry1685

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Re: Cold End

I use an allen wrench to clear nozzle throats. Pla gets lose enough in acetone to push it out.

10 Reply by batmaster

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Re: Cold End

i bought a mini blow torch at the auto parts store that works great, i had a big jam up that acetone wouldnt touch, torch worked great.