Cleaning nozzles?
What do you use to clean off your nozzle? A brush of some kind, or ....?
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
I used brass brushes and ESD-13 Tweezers for the outside.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@charles-h13
Do those scratch the nozzle at all? I have a microswiss plated wear resistant nozzle that works very well at not allowing filament to stick, but when it does I don't want to clean the nozzle with anything that might scratch it and lead to more filament sticking.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
Also, just to be clear I'm looking for something to clean the outside of the nozzle while still connected to the heat block.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@buckeyestargazer,
i have built my own brush with PA6.6 strings. This way the nozzle, no matter what material, will not be scratched or damaged.
Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@karl-herbert
That looks perfect. But I have no idea what PA6.6 strings are or where to get them. How did you make your brush?
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
Also, just to be clear I'm looking for something to clean the outside of the nozzle while still connected to the heat block.
Lately, I'm getting the best results using small strips of corrugated cardboard. Easy to scrape off gunk without risk of shorting or damaging coated nozzles. Gives a bit of an edge for scraping nozzles and sides of heater block. Moderately "green". I keep a small pile of 1in/25mm squares handy. I'll use a soft brass brush on problem areas if not worried about coating or wires.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@karl-herbert
Hi,
Is that nylon string, approximately 1.5mm used for weed eaters?
Phil
Stay safe and healthy, Phil
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@bobstro
Although I have not damaged my nozzles with brass brushes, I might have to give cardboard a try.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
[...] Although I have not damaged my nozzles with brass brushes, I might have to give cardboard a try.
The nozzle issue was more of a warning from E3D on their Nozzle-X series. They say the warranty doesn't cover use of brushes ... or really anything relating to the coating. The bigger issue for me was the occasional spark or snag working around the hotend. I can use the cardboard any time without worry. The straight edge also works as a bit of a squeegee to pull stuff away. Nothing wrong with both, of course.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
The brass brushes leave marks on the nozzle in the form of scratches and brass residues. To prevent this, I built my own brush with 0.5mm nylon threads. This allows me to heat the nozzle to 250 degrees C. and brush over it briefly to remove filament residues from the nozzle. For the complete cleaning of the hotends I take it out and work on it with heat and several brushes.
Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@karl-herbert
I am very careful to avoid that side. I have had a similarly enlightening experience with tweezers.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@charles-h13
If you are out of luck, a short circuit between thermistor and heating block can damage the Einsy board. Therefore I avoid working with metallic objects in this area. One second of inattention and it happens.
Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
I have been using the nylon brush regularly for over a year now to clean the warm nozzle at max. 250 degrees C.
Please tell us how you made this brush and the materials used.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@karl-herbert
It is not matter of luck. It is a lack of precision by the user. All you have to do is stick to the bottom and not the sides.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
One could always turn the printer off to clean the nozzle and heater block.
Stay safe and healthy, Phil
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
[...] It is not matter of luck. It is a lack of precision by the user. All you have to do is stick to the bottom and not the sides.
Just remember to tell those brass bristles! Mine tended to pull away from the brush after a bit of rubbing.
When things go amiss, I do get filament up the sides and in the wires. That was what led me to look for a non-conductive solution. A wooden toothpick or similar can also be helpful as even scrubbing the wires with a non-conductive brush can be tricky.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
You can buy nylon brushes. I bought a pack ages ago that had steel, brass and nylon types in several sizes for my lathe and use the small brass and nylon ones on my printers.
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@bobstro
I have used long cotton. tip swabs (wood end) also,.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Cleaning nozzles?
@buckeyestargazer
Buy some 0.4-0.5mm Nylon or PEEK strings. For the mounting and the fixing of the nylon strings I used 3d-printed nylon (PA12) parts.
The nylon strings are threaded in zigzag, the holder is screwed to the handle and finally the nylon strings are cut through on the open side.
If anyone is interested, I can provide cad (step) data.
Statt zu klagen, dass wir nicht alles haben, was wir wollen, sollten wir lieber dankbar sein, dass wir nicht alles bekommen, was wir verdienen.