[ddmckee54]

I "WAS" going to print out a new lower die for the U-bolt bender, so I could try my idea of using the brass tubing to protect the threads when bending the legs. My printer had other ideas though, I got a plugged nozzle on the 2nd or 3rd layer.

I changed the nozzle and started another print, about half way through it jammed again. This time it took out the PTFE liner. This is the second time in about a month that I've had to change that liner, and I didn't have any more spares. I ordered some more liners, and some new nozzles, and they have arrived. I'm going to just pitch the remainder of that roll of filament, It was several years old anyway. I had something similar happen a few years ago, only that was a brand new spool. When I changed the filament all the problems went away.

I've used old filament before, usually with no problems. I normally store any left-over filament in a zip-lock bag, and I'll throw a couple of desiccant pouches in with the filament. I usually don't have any problems doing this. However I have noticed that if the filament is a year or two old or more - it does tend to break in the feed tube to the extruder. Especially towards the end of the roll. It won't break while printing, but if the printer sits for a couple of days there's apparently enough stresses built up in the filament to cause it to break.

Bottom line - the plugged nozzle, the bad PTFE liner, AND the rest of that roll of filament are going to be introduced to the trash can when I put in the new parts.

Don