Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
That's basically what I tried. I guess you're stronger than I am! :-)
I'll give it another shot tomorrow, thanks!
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
laird wrote:
As a separate issue, I'm having trouble ever since I swapped the original motor for the newer/faster one. In swapping the motors, the washers were crushed, so I switched to the 3/32" pin that Elmoret sent (thanks!). Unfortunately, the pins didn't work for long. I noticed that the motor axles for the two motors are different - the "flat" on the old motor is much larger than the "flat" on the new motor, which is very nearly round. I also noticed that the pins are quite loose between the motor axle and the square end of the hex socket. Perhaps because of this, the pins didn't work with the new motor - after making it around one or two times, they basically rolled around the motor axle and wore down.
Tomorrow's trip to the hardware store I think I'll try one size larger (1/8") to see if that fits more tightly.
I suspect that the underlying issue is a blockage, and hopefully I can get the nozzle off and clear that out. Because "let it soak up heat, then push it through" isn't working.
Forgot to attach the photo. The two axles look like the same diameter, but the "flat" on the old motor looks much deeper than on the new one.
And the various things crushed trying to turn the feed screw. Not too useful a picture, perhaps, but I found it amusing. That's a pretty strong motor, and/or pretty stubborn plastic.
I tried going back to the old motor, but the pines were even looser, perhaps because they were worn down. So no luck there.
The part that's a little odd to me is that before the pins gave out, they did make it around a few times, and plastic was extruding. So it's not completely blocked, just "slow".
Suggestions?
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
Hmmm, that's a bummer. Did you wrap the pin/shaft with tape? I use a 3/32" to allow some room for a couple wraps of tape around the pin and motor shaft. An 1/8" pin will not fit, even with no tape. When I use a 3/32" pin and 2-3 wraps of tape (clear packing tape works for me), it is a snug fit - I have to tap the socket on.
I haven't had problems as many problems with it as you and a few others seem to be having. I want to make the coupling robust but also allow for misalignment, and that seems to be a challenge thus far, especially when they work for me.
When you were extruding, at what speed was the extrusion occurring? You have not ever run the extruder with a side panel off, correct?
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
I didn't wrap the pins - I just slid them in place. I'll try taping them to the motor axle in the morning - that's easy to try!
I haven't run with the side panel off - I think that would cause the machine to self-destruct from torque. The assembled unit doesn't have a solid base, so it's really twisty with the side panels off. That being said, I have been running with the back top piece off, so that I can see what the motor assembly is doing. With screws at top and bottom of all of the vertical boards, the whole "box" seems fairly stable even with that one piece missing.
One suggestion - next time you make complete assembled kits, see if you can make the bottom a solid piece of wood, so the case isn't "structural". That would make it much easier to tweak, since you could leave it "open" until it's working right, then close it up to look nice. As it is, I have to open it up, tweak, reassemble it, then run it to see what happens. I will say, having disassembled/reassembled the case, it's great that all of the screws go into metal threads - very nice touch!
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
elmoret wrote:
When you were extruding, at what speed was the extrusion occurring?
Forgot to answer this one.
When the washers were working, extrusion was at the speeds people have described, slow but visible motion. extruding a few yards in a few hours, using the original motor.
When the pin was working, it extruded a few inches in a few minutes, so around the above speeds. This was with the new motor.
When the pins were partially working, it was much, much slower, because the feed screw would engage the pin turn perhaps half way then slip for a while, then turn a bit the next time it came to the pin. Given that the motor sounded like it was running fine (speed up and slowing down perhaps every 10-15 seconds), if I hadn't removed the top piece and watched it in motion, I'd have thought everything was fine and I was mysteriously getting slow extrusion, when it was the axle slipping.
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
You should get around 10"/min, so like 60 yards in a few hours. I am beginning to suspect something may be blocking the output.
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
Got the nozzle off, cleared out some burnt-looking gunk, and reassembled. Still no turning, but I think that's because all of the pins are worn down. So I ordered another set from the store, and I'm going to pick up washers in the morning. Between the old and new motors, I'm sure something will be working this weekend (demos!).
Re: About the new motor on http://filastruder.com/
Success!
Using the original motor, with two #6 washers stacked. Couldn't hold the washers in place with tape (the collar pushed the tape down, taking the washers with it), so I put the collar on the motor axle, held it horizontally, then slid one washer in, then pressed the second one on top of the first with a screwdriver and hammered the collar down over the second washer. It sticks out a bit, but it's jammed in solidly and, most importantly, works.
No luck with the new motor. The pins ended up in the corner of the collar's square opening, with the motor axle turning, gradually wearing the pins flat. One washer in simple bent. Two washers didn't fit.
Perhaps a collar with a set-screw might work? The other thought I had is to grind the motor axle down to be more flat, so there's more surface to work with (and to transmit the torque). I might try that some time - I have an oscillating tool that might theoretically be able to affect the steel shaft. Or whatever that axle is - it's tough!