Hello Im new to 3D printing (Page 1 of 3)

my printer solidoodle

Since it seems like you're new you probably didn't see that there is a Solidoodle Discussion Forum that this question seems like a better place for, since you're using a Solidoodle printer

other pics, observe the upper portion near the thread of the heating block, there is a leak of melted filament. im thinking thats what is causing my pressure in the column low to flow out filament

i printed a ring, added brim to prep more but skirt, brim and up to 3rd layer (solid layers:3) had less flow. i will change to pla white for better image pics.

PLA uses much lower heat settings that ABS and seems like you #1 issue

try 170 extruder and bed at 60 1st layer only then retry and see if anything else needs tweaked. may also need a parts cooling fan of some kind since PLA cools very slow causing other issues sometimes. but this would be a start to a fix. I prefer ABS with an charcoal filtered fan to deal with fumes myself as ABS does better prints for me without possibly clogging nozzle for good.

You know most start out with ABS. As PLA is harder to get to stick and it is more prone to jam in your extruder.

Definitely stop that leaking. When the hotend is cool, tighten the block to the threaded rod some more and test to make sure it isn't leaking. If it leaks where your nozzle threads into the block tighten it there too and test for leaking again. You'll have to level the bed against the nozzle again.

Like n2ri mentioned using a lower temp will definitely help too. Print a test object at a lower temp and if that isn't acceptable then run another one +/-5C until you get better results.

Your thermistor looks like it might be broken... can anyone else comment?

At room temp it should read around 100k. So you might consider replacing it.

My experience was exactly the opposite - I could print with PLA much easier than I could with ABS when I was starting out.

burton - definitely try the PLA at the suggested temps. If the filament doesnt flow very well, increase the temp by a few degrees and see how it does. Increase in small increments until it flows well and sticks to previous layers well.

Not sure, but I don't think the temp should be jumping around by that much.

That leak is bad. I would recommend removing the filament and then shutting your printer off. Then let it cool to the point that you can remove the block from the hollow threaded rod and check to make sure the threads on the rod and everything in the block look ok, check to see if damaged threads are causing your leak, or maybe a tiny piece of metal or something is stuck in there, or anything that looks out of the ordinary. Post a picture if there's something you're not sure about. Since it's apart take the time now to clean it out. Make sure you tightly put it all back together. Run some filament through to check for leaking.

If its still leaking... I know some hotends have you heat tighten the nozzle to the block for a very secure fit. I'm not sure if the same idea applies here but if you still have a leak right above your block, you might try tightening the block and the threaded rod just a bit while the hotend is hot. Then let it cool and warm it back up. Before you try this, let another member chime in about if this is the right thing to do.

just looked at all pics again and you may have a cracked or broken threaded barrel, for sure threads are stripped down from gripping them with pliers. also the heater blocks are loose fit threads which would let it leak. post a topic for a good used SD threaded tube as many members have old extruder parts laying around. dont bother with Solidoodles over priced if available parts and year long respounces and wrong parts sent.