PLA end of spool

[meskan 0]

I'm finishing a spool of PLA and want to know the best way to start a new one?  Do I need to remove the filament before the end passes the feeder and dispose of the 2 feet remaining?

[Framar 38]

Option 1: you remove the 2 feet remaining in the tube, get rid of it and out a new spool.

Option 2: you cut a few inches out of the remaining filament so you can engage the new spool filement in the extruder. This way you waste less filament but keep in mind that retraction wil not work until only the new filament reach the nozzle.

Option 3: you  bond the old and new filament together. If you do a search you'll find some tips on how to proceed.

[meskan 0]

Thank you!

[geert_2 558]

I always do remove the old end, yes. And then I use those remains for atomic pulls to clean the nozzle, so they are not wasted. But I use a more gentle atomic pull method than the official, without brutal pulling. See the manual here:

https://www.uantwerpen.be/nl/personeel/geert-keteleer/manuals/

 

I have tried welding new and old filaments together. Technically this works, but it is so much hassle that it is not worth the effort for me. Unless you would have a long and complex print that you don't want to restart, or you would waste way too much material. But I don't have these issues: my prints usually take ca. 2...3 hours, and 2...3 meters of filament.

 

Maybe you could push the new filament behind the old one? But then, first you would have to cut off the deformed end of the old one. And then stay with the printer while pushing on the new filament: this may be a little hard to insert. But during the transition time when there is old and new filament in the tube, retractions won't work.

 

[meskan 0]

Yea, I just removed it and started a new roll.  For less than 50 cents in material, it's a no brainer 🙂

 

Thx