Is my hotend salvageable?
I had a fairly catastrophic blob that essentially engulfed my hotend. I was able to take it apart but couldn't salavage the thermistor or the heating cartridge wires and will at minimum need to replace both. There is still hardened filament (PLA) that's glazing over the grub screws to loosen the thermistor and heater ends. I'll attach pictures to show what I mean. As it stands, I can't get an allen key into the screws to loosen them. I'm assuming I will have to find a way to heat and melt the PLA that's there but I'm not sure how to do that or if this is even worth salvaging. Any ideas or should I just get a new hotend altogether? Thanks for any advice that you can give me.
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
I would gently clamp it with the nozzle facing up and then use a hot air gun and brass bristle brush. I bet most of the PLA will come off. For the hex heads you might need to use a fine point, perhaps an Xacto knife along with the heat gun to clean them out. Patience required...
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
I've never personally had this happen, however I keep a spare hot end on hand ready to go just in case, so my work flow won't be to inconvenienced if something did happen. I'm going to recommend you do the same.
I would think that you could just use a heat gun to remove the PLA that's covering your salvageable parts, I think they are worth trying to save. you might consider removing the heat break before using the heat gun to clean the PLA from the block area, you can probably save the PTFE tube and get the PLA out.
on a scale from 1 -10, 1 being completely reusable, 10 being throw it in the trash. I give it a 1
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
You don't necessarily need an entire new hotend, but there is a chance you'll wind up needing most of one over time. I had my thermistor and heater cartridge carmelized into my heater block that had stripped out (lesson learned - use a silicone sock and keep the block clean). The heatbreak also couldn't be unscrewed. I went ahead and replace the thermistor, heater cartridge, heater block (upgraded to nickel-plated copper), and heatbreak (upgraded to titanium). It's not overly complex but it is a time-consuming project. Consider doing a few upgrades while you're at it. I do keep spares of all those parts on hand now.
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
Absolutely. I have had much worse. Key things that might help - toothbrush, pliers, and a heat gun.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
@cwbullet
Should toothbrush and heat gun be used in the same sentence 🙂
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
@towlerg
I know. I thought the same thing when someone suggested it to me. I thought this has to be a bad idea. Then, I bought 100 cheap ones off eBay just to clean printers.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Is my hotend salvageable?
Heat gun and brass brush worked wonders. I was able to get the grub screws off pretty easily. The heater cartridge came out with some persuasion, but the thermistor seems to be stuck in with nothing to grasp onto. I'm working on trying to push it through but that's proving to be a bit difficult.
@bobstro, I may take your advice and upgrade the heatbrick while I'm at it since I'll have to buy a thermistor and heater cartridge anyways. Where do you recommend me sourcing my parts from?
Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it.