1 Topic by pshcims

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Topic: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

I have some non-Solidoodle filament that doesn't fit in the top compartment. I tried feeding it through the bag mounted on a stand I printed, but I find the filament becomes twisted and eventually jams. The spool itself seemed okay, but as it printed, the filament built up springy pressure and eventually created a jam?

What's the best way to feed the filament and avoid jams? I am trying to print this feeder Press filament clip http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:711551 and place the spool to the right side of the Press, but I would love to hear your experiences.

My longest successful print was with the non-Solidoodle spool shaved down a bit in the centre and then mounted in the top compartment. It went for 6 or 7 hours.

2 Reply by H_Alex (edited by H_Alex 2015-04-01 05:28:07)

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Re: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

I've posted about a similar problem and my solution to it, and I've had no more filament problems, although I haven't yet run any 6-hour prints. It sounds like you have been doing much the same thing I've been doing: mounting the spool on the side of the printer.

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/10607/fi … and-snaps/

I use Hatchbox filament.

Frustration is part of the process.

3 Reply by Robny

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Re: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

I'm using Octave filament and I just unravel what I need for a given print and place it in the lid with NO spool and I have never had a problem tangling or snapping, longest print so far is 4.5 hours but don't see why it shouldn't go for longer.

4 Reply by pshcims (edited by pshcims 2015-04-01 16:53:11)

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Re: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

Robny wrote:

I'm using Octave filament and I just unravel what I need for a given print and place it in the lid with NO spool and I have never had a problem tangling or snapping, longest print so far is 4.5 hours but don't see why it shouldn't go for longer.

That's not a bad idea, but it becomes harder to estimate the filament needed for long prints. If something else ruins your print halfway through, you'd have a large length to store until you're printing a smaller item.

BTW, I think I created a duplicate topic. Please refer to http://www.soliforum.com/topic/10607/fi … and-snaps/, where I tried a few more things, and may have a solution.

5 Reply by Robny

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Re: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

pshcims wrote:
Robny wrote:

I'm using Octave filament and I just unravel what I need for a given print and place it in the lid with NO spool and I have never had a problem tangling or snapping, longest print so far is 4.5 hours but don't see why it shouldn't go for longer.

That's not a bad idea, but it becomes harder to estimate the filament needed for long prints. If something else ruins your print halfway through, you'd have a large length to store until you're printing a smaller item.

Yeah, on occasions I have ran out of filament mid way through a print when I have guesstimated wrong, but now I have found a "nack" of changing filament mid way through a print with no ill affects smile

6 Reply by H_Alex

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Re: Best way to feed filament to avoid jams

Honestly, I would prefer avoid the headaches and babysitting, which is why I like my side-mounted spool.

Frustration is part of the process.