Comments on: How to unclog your extruder barrel and nozzle

By: How to get better results from your 3D printer – Part IV - MakerBot Industries

How to get better results from your 3D printer – Part IV - MakerBot Industries — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:02:18 +0000

[...] – Clearing extruder nozzle blockage. This is really only relevant to the MK4 style plastruders. I’ve never had a bad blockage [...]

By: MakerGear Enhanced Operator’s Pack | MakerBlock

MakerGear Enhanced Operator’s Pack | MakerBlock — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 04:57:26 +0000

[...] arrived today 8/13/2010. My extruder has been working really well and without problems with ABS since my last rebuild. I’m really hoping I won’t need these bits any time [...]

By: MakerBlock

MakerBlock — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 04:12:55 +0000

I’m sorry – maybe I’m being slow here… Do you put the molten solder inside the barrel?

By: Winter

Winter — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:57:19 +0000

MakerBlock,the solder would help with the heat transfer from the tip of the soldering iron to the heater barrel, resulting in a higher heater barrel temperature.

Burn PLA, BURN!!

By: MakerBlock

MakerBlock — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:29:53 +0000

You know, that's a really good point. I bet they're pretty handy to have around. Amazon has a 31 piece pin vice set for under $10. So, did you really manage to totally unclog the extruder by just drilling it out? Didn't it still leave a big chunk of plastic in the nozzle or barrel? Did it just melt out?

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:14:53 +0000

Small drill bits: I get individual #77 drill bits for $1.00 each at the local hobby shop; I usually buy a few at a time because I’ll usually break a couple. A pin vise will run $6. Neither helps you if you don’t have ‘em on hand, but they’re not that hard to find, and it’s a lot less invasive than the blowtorch-and-acetone method…

By: MakerBlock

MakerBlock — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:24:49 +0000

Stupid question: what does the solder do?

By: beak90

beak90 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:43:39 +0000

If you lack a blowtorch, you could probably use a really high power soldering iron instead. Just put some solder on the tip and touch it to the barrel. Tried it with a low power soldering iron and it melted the PLA enough to pull it out. With a higher power one it should be possible to burn it out.

By: MakerBlock

MakerBlock — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:13:29 +0000

You’re welcome!

You know, I didn’t even think to use nichrome – I bet it would work great. However, I found the bendability of the copper wires to be very helpful. Since there was a minor kink in one of the wires it had a more abrasive texture for scouring the inside of the nozzle.

Not having to take everything apart would indeed be a blessing – but I think I had to given the blockage in the barrel. I suppose I could have tried heating up the barrel and putting the filament back through – but my nichrome connection totally failed as I was taking off the PTFE. So, I basically had to totally disassemble anyhow.

I am trying to avoid the use of acetone, but I’ve heard it works with time and agitation. The blow torch was quite gratifying. I stayed as far away from that smoke as I could manage – my understanding is that it’s none too pleasant to breathe.

By the way, I love your blog and follow it religiously. :)

By: Erik de Bruijn

Erik de Bruijn — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:00:49 +0000

Thanks for these instructions.

Nichrome is pretty useful for cleaning out the nozzle orifice. Or the wires of a thermistor, they are also thin and don’t bend as easily as for example thin copper does. Sometimes you don’t even need to take everything apart. Wouln’t that be a blessing?!

For ABS, some people put their nozzles and barrels in a pot with acetone. I haven’t tried this but it should work. And be careful, smoking could kill you (especially if you use acetone as well) and don’t breath it either…