How to connect two pieces of filament ?

[c_popa 0]

Hello,

I have a lot of  CPE+ wire 2.85mm "leftovers", too small to be used for printing an entire part, but also too long to be scrapped. Is a solution to join them in a single wire ? I tried to weld two ends (using a lighter), but the rate of success is about 5%... 

Edited February 6 by c_popa

[Enigma_M4 16]

Hi,

 

there's a helpful tutorial in this forum:

 

https://community.ultimaker.com/files/file/1650-filament-verbinden-filament-splicing-tutorial/

 

Just using a lighter seems not to work very well, using a hot (preferably flat) soldering iron works better. Very important (and a bit tricky) is to remove the burr and ensure the filament is not to thick to enter the extruder.

 

Regards

[c_popa 0]

Thank you, I will follow your suggestion. I was thinking also to a solvent wich can dissolve the material locally (the two ends), but I found no such chemical stuff. 

Best regards, and happy printing !

[tinkergnome 736]

Another promising approach is this one (IMHO):

 

https://www.instructables.com/id/3D-Filament-Fuser/

 

 

 

[geert_2 374]

I have tried it this way:

- cut off both filament ends at 90°,

- heat a knife in a flame,

- align both filament ends in a holder (see pic), and push them down with your fingers,

- insert the hot knife in-between both ends, and push both ends onto the hot knife (don't push your fingers onto the hot knife),

- let these ends melt a little bit,

- remove knife, and push both ends together, so they melt into each other,

- keep pushing them down, and let them cool and solidify,

- using a Dremel tool or similar, cut off the flanges, otherwise it won't go through the feeder and bowden tube. This is the worst part of the procedure.

 

This works well, and it is usefull if you want to join different colors for artistic purposes.

But for normal daily use, in my opinion, it isn't worth the time and effort.

 

I keep left-over ends for doing cold pulls, or for plying them into hooks, or chains, or so.

 

 

[c_popa 0]

Tkank you all ! Now I have enough solutions (ideas) to try. Also, I have the proof that imagination and engineering can solve any problem ...

All the best and enjoy printing !