Printing with a 3D printer is an exciting and creative process, but it can be frustrating when things don’t go as planned. If you’ve experienced a print that comes out stringy, sparse, or with mixing layers, you may have a clogged nozzle. But don’t worry, it’s a common problem and can be fixed with the right tools and techniques.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to unclog a 3D printer nozzle:
Step 1: Check if your nozzle is clogged
Disengage the extruder gear lever and push filament through by hand. If it curls, is hard to push through, or doesn’t come through at all, the nozzle is clogged.
Step 2: Use a brass wire brush
Use a brass wire brush (not a steel brush as it could damage the nozzle) to clean the nozzle.
Step 3: Perform a cold pull
Use cleaning filament or nylon filament to do a cold pull. Heat up the nozzle to 250 degrees Celsius and push the filament through. Then, pull down your extruder to room temperature to solidify the filament in it. Set the hot end to 115 degrees Celsius and at 90 degrees Celsius, start pulling on the filament until the filament comes out the side of the extruder. Heat up the nozzle to 250 Celsius and push the filament through until it comes out clean and easy.
Step 4: Remove the nozzle
Use a crescent wrench to hold onto the heater block while using the socket wrench to twist off the nozzle. Be careful not to touch any of the hot parts as it’s easy to slip and burn yourself. Use chemicals to dissolve the filament and wash out the clog, or use heat to burn it out.
After using any of these methods, you should be able to look down the opening of your nozzle and see through the tip without any blockages.
By following these simple steps, you can unclog your 3D printer nozzle and get back to creating amazing prints. For more information on 3D printing, visit matterhackers.com.