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Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:21 am
by krazyking01
I recently installed an E3D v6 Nozzle in my machine and I have yet to get a decent print out of it. The stock nozzle keeps clogging and now its so bad, that even after almost 12 hours of soaking in acetone, it's still not clear. My question is twofold.

1. Any ideas why it keeps clogging? (I've checked the Z-height many times, it barely drags the paper.)
2. Any tips to clear a seemingly seriously jammed nozzle?

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:30 am
by Jimustanguitar
Acetone will dissolve ABS, but not PLA.

Are you running the PEEK fan all the time?

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:55 am
by krazyking01
I print in ABS, so I was hoping it would clear it, but after 12 hours, still no dice. As far as the fan yes, I'm running it all the time.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:16 am
by precisionpete
I have used a torch to just melt the plastic away and then clean out the nozzle carefully with the right size wire. Be careful and do this a couple of times.

Regarding getting your E3D to print nice it does require a bit of "tweaking" You have to be meticulous just like everything else with our printers. Rarely out of the box print without some problems to overcome.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:43 am
by Polygonhell
The usual problem with moving to an E3D is not changing the retraction settings, if they are too big the plastic sets in the break and they jam.
You should not run more than about 3mm of retraction on an E3D.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 11:57 am
by KAS
Cutting the PTFE tube perfectly flat across will help. If you can chamfer the outside a bit that seems to help as-well.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 12:02 pm
by Wes@MachWax
If acetone was not dissolving the clog, maybe the obstruction is a foreign contaminant. Was the spool that is jamming used with your previous hot end w/o issue?

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 1:47 pm
by krazyking01
Wes, the reason I switched to the E3D was the thermistor in the OEM came loose and the PEEK melted. The E3d end was one I had been planning to upgrade to, so this just made me do it sooner.

KAS, I've actually already done that. I had been doing plenty of reading while waiting for my printer to arrive, but thank you anyhow.

Polygonhell, that may be my problem. It is still set on the 10mm retract, I hadn't thought about it setting that far up. I'll have to try removing it and seeing if it's clogged as well.

The reason why I think the nozzle (or possibly the break) is jammed, it went from printing perfect, to now only putting out thin strings.

So far everyone, thank you for your help.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 2:51 pm
by mhackney
I can guarantee that a 10mm retract on an E3D V6 hot end is going to cause a problem with clogging. Try 1mm to start and go from there.

Re: Clogged E3D Nozzle

Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2015 4:30 pm
by krazyking01
I'll have to work on that once I get this one cleaned out. I'll leave it to sit another day to see how it dissolves. If it doesn't, I'll try some of the methods mentioned here.

Thank you all.