1 (edited by swbluto4gems 2015-10-27 23:20:22)

Topic: Barrel won't stop turning

I did an emergency stop of the filastruder because it was turning, so I let it cool and turned the flange 90 degrees so that'd it work. But, the barrel still kept turning and won't stop turning. I'm thinking that when the filastruder cooled,  some bits of plastic high up in the barrel are now solid and they aren't fully melting now, so the barrel is effectively glued to the auger causing it to spin, even after letting the PID sit at temp for 20 minutes (I always ensured it sit at temp for at least 10 minutes before turning the motor on), so I'm thinking I'll have to take a blow torch to the pipe to clear it of its solidified and partially melted plastic. Please advise.

Also, how do I figure out when the barrel has reached its max ability to turn so it doesn't turn any more? I can tighten using my hands(No tools, to avoid damage) as much as I want, but it still seems like it wants to turn forever.

Okay, I see that the instructions suggest a wrench can be used on the short side to tighten the pipe to the flange. Is one safe securing it this way when fixing the flange inside a bench vice? (Don't want to twist the barrel after I apply maximum force.)

2 (edited by os3dp 2015-10-27 23:25:57)

Re: Barrel won't stop turning

swbluto4gems,
I wait at LEAST 15-20 minutes before turning the motor on.  The pipe will turn a bit for the first little bit until it gets tight enough.  What you did, turning off, then rotating the flange is the best way.  Keep doing that until it stops turning.  It WILL eventually stop turning. 

A wrench to initally tighten will help, just don't use too much pressure so as to deform the pipe.

No need to take a blow torch to it.  If you heat it up just like you would to turn the motor on, then quickly take off thermistor and nozzle, leaving the coupler and heater on, (with wrench that can hold it as well as having gloves, and all other safety equipment, etc) you will be able to get the plastic that is inside the barrel out if you need to.

-os3dp

3 (edited by swbluto4gems 2015-10-28 01:38:29)

Re: Barrel won't stop turning

Thanks for the advice! I'll try it out.

Edit: Just tried using the wrench on the 'short end' of the pipe and it turned another half turn before finally settling on a position it wouldn't budge from anymore. Hopefully it's reached the ended! *fingers crossed*

Yep, did the trick! The filastruder is now running producing some dirty looking filament, so cool.