1 Topic by pascal

  • pascal
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Topic: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

I just received my Solidoodle 3. I followed the directions to install the filament, but when I pressed the "retract" button in Repetier-Host (after heating the extruder to 200 degrees), I saw a gear turn, but no filament came out the top. In fact, the filament slowly descended from the extruder under the force of gravity (see attached picture). Furthermore, pressing "extrude" in Repetier-Host did nothing, either--the gear turned, but it didn't cause any additional filament to come out. Any idea what's going on? Also, I think I see the filament in there, but I want to make sure--in the second attached picture, is the circled portion the filament? Thanks in advance for the help.

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2 Reply by IanJohnson

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Re: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

It is possible you hit extrude first which pushed the filament below the gear, and now the gear can't grab it to pull it up.  Just take off the thumbwheel that holds the spring and swing back the arm that has the bearing in it.  Then you can grab the filament with some tweezers and pull it out.

3 Reply by ronsii (edited by ronsii 2013-06-20 02:57:18)

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Re: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

Yes that is filament you have circled in pic 2, and by the looks of it it tried to retract some(different diameters indicate stretching)... two options either get ahold of it with a needle nose pliers or something similar and pull it up and out or try to push it through both of these operations need to be done with the extruder up to operating temperature, you will also need to remove the thumbwheel tensioner nut/washers and spring(note where everything is for reassembly) on the filament tension arm to get access to the rest of the filament.

4 Reply by pascal

  • pascal
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Re: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

That worked perfectly--thanks so much! One more question: are there any guidelines for how much to compress the spring with the thumb wheel?

5 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

pascal wrote:

That worked perfectly--thanks so much! One more question: are there any guidelines for how much to compress the spring with the thumb wheel?

You should still have room left in the spring. So not fully compressed.

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.

2n2r5's Website

6 Reply by pascal

  • pascal
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Re: Out-of-the-box retract/extrude problems

Great, thanks.