Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

**mark.burhop** · 2013-05-22 23:41:55

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Topic: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

I just got a clogged nozzle on my printer. I did the usual things and am now following these steps (Thanks IanJohnson)

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/255/clea … esnt-work/

This is not the point of this post so if you are looking for a solution, I'd recommend search and reply on other threads.

The point of this post is to ask, what are the best practices to keep from getting a clogged nozzle?

Anti-patterns are fine too.... like "I did this and ended up with a clogged nozzle". I'll edit and add to the wiki if this post gets some good replies

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
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**mark.burhop** · 2013-05-23 03:35:52

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

I hate to answer my own post, but rule one is don't forget to change the default temperature to 180 when using PLA.

This little red bugger of plastic got enough heat to bend into a blob at the entrance to the nozzle. I had to take the thing apart to fix it:

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
NX and Solid Edge CAD user
PI, Galileo, and arduino hacker
Code Monkey and Twitter user @burhop

**Briggs** · 2013-05-23 06:18:11

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

My approach to preventing clogs is to screw up my slicing settings so badly that I'll never get any gcode to actually print a part. If my software skills were half as good as my mechanical and design skills, i'd be dangerous. We never get everything in life, do we?

Seriously, my trick is to manually run out some filament after it gets up to temp and when I'm still putting finishing touches on a model in CAD, or slicing, or respraying my aquanet, etc. I never go more than 5 minutes without extruding manually, turning it off, or running a print. Once I get my quick change extruder printed and working well, I'll be a bit more daring. But with my current extruder design, it's a complete pain in the neck to remove the hot end, so I baby it.

Thanks for your post Mark. BTW, how do you like working with PLA?

**Gordym** · 2013-05-23 10:04:37

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

I heat my print bed before I start slicing my model. I wait until the bed is near my printing temprature. I then start slicing my model in RH using Slic3r. When the slice begins, there is a check box labeled "Begin printing after slicing is complete" I check that box. The software will then heat up the hot end after the slicing is finished. It will begin printing once the hot end reaches the desired temprature. I programmed mine to kill the hot end temp and bed temp after the model is finished printing. Therefore, my hot end is only hot during the print which reduces the amount of time the ABS is being heated unnecessasarily.

SD2
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**2n2r5** · 2013-05-23 12:26:07

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

mark.burhop wrote:

I hate to answer my own post, but rule one is don't forget to change the default temperature to 180 when using PLA.
This little red bugger of plastic got enough heat to bend into a blob at the entrance to the nozzle. I had to take the thing apart to fix it:

Do yourself a favor and switch to Lawsys MK4. You can use the stock 'doodle tensioner arm or the one in the file. It makes cleaning out your hotend a snap.

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47561

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

**ysb** · 2013-05-23 13:48:34

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

install this on your filament

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:16483

it will save you from a lot of problems

Find all my 3D printable models here
Game of ropes 2 online..Adult only

**mark.burhop** · 2013-05-23 20:14:41

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

On PLA, I'm loving it. I've yet to have a warping problem. Compare that to this ABS model I made (top is original rubber bucket)

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
NX and Solid Edge CAD user
PI, Galileo, and arduino hacker
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**mark.burhop** · 2013-05-23 20:16:28

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

2n2r5 wrote:

Do yourself a favor and switch to Lawsys MK4. You can use the stock 'doodle tensioner arm or the one in the file. It makes cleaning out your hotend a snap.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:47561

That is a thing of beauty after last night's puzzle!

SD2, glass bed, MK5 setup with E3D lite extruder
NX and Solid Edge CAD user
PI, Galileo, and arduino hacker
Code Monkey and Twitter user @burhop

**Charles_Xavier** · 2013-05-24 14:22:19

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

mark.burhop wrote:

On PLA, I'm loving it. I've yet to have a warping problem. Compare that to this ABS model I made (top is original rubber bucket)

That just might be the worst warping I have ever seen. Ever.

**Briggs** · 2013-05-24 16:22:43

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Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

Thanks mark, I will give it a try!

Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

Posts: 10

1 Topic by mark.burhop 2013-05-22 23:41:55

Topic: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

2 Reply by mark.burhop 2013-05-23 03:35:52

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

3 Reply by Briggs 2013-05-23 06:18:11

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

4 Reply by Gordym 2013-05-23 10:04:37

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

5 Reply by 2n2r5 2013-05-23 12:26:07

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

6 Reply by ysb 2013-05-23 13:48:34 (edited by ysb 2013-05-23 13:49:42)

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

7 Reply by mark.burhop 2013-05-23 20:14:41

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

8 Reply by mark.burhop 2013-05-23 20:16:28

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

9 Reply by Charles_Xavier 2013-05-24 14:22:19

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

10 Reply by Briggs 2013-05-24 16:22:43

Re: Best Practices to avoid Clogged Nozzle

Posts: 10