Filament jams in Bowden tube

[holoped 0]

Hey everyone.

I bought some PLA reels from MatterHackers, and one of them (Light Blue)

is between 2.95 and 3.00mm width (the others are 2.85).

This filament will jam in the bowden tube to such extent,

that I have to disconnect it from both sides and pull out the filament with

pliers.

Do I need a new tube ?

Is 2.95mm within acceptable range for PLA filament ?

Thanks.

 

[illuminarti 18]

Once the size gets over about 3.05mm, you could certainly start having problems. When you measure your filament, you should always be sure and measure twice in each spot, at right angles, since the filament is often not really round.

If your filament is really in the 2.95-3.00 range, then It ought to be fine in the standard Bowden tube - but evidently yours isn't.

You could try replacing it with a new tube and/or one that has a larger internal diameter. I started using nylon tubing with a 0.15" ID (3.81mm). I find that it works fine for retractions still, and it gives me a bit more leeway for working with filaments like Taulman nylon that runs on the large size.

 

[gr5 2,178]

Send the filament back.

 

[holoped 0]

Send the filament back.

 

I wish I could, it would cost me more than what it's worth.

 

[holoped 0]

Where did you find 0.15" ID tubes ?

 

[illuminarti 18]

This is what I bought:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#9685t3/=o8ymfj

 

[dwalton 0]

I have the same light blue filament from MatterHackers. I found, through trial and error, that I was clamping the filament too tightly. It was deforming and the deformation made it harder to push through the Bowden tube. I also noticed that the delrin wheel that pushes the filament against the hobbed bolt was off-center. Once I loosened the screw pushing the filament and re-centered the delrin wheel, I was able to print with the filament. Mine was about 2.95 mm in diameter.