Hello! Thoughts on using 3mm ID instead of 2mm ID for PTFE? Am trying to setup.
Problem: Filament friction/resistance is causing extruder to grind filament rather than extrude. Am following Chris Riley's helpful tutorials, Part 3 of his series "Back out Seconds" section (https://youtu.be/kT5ongBcMLQ?si=KX-neijvsh2CWTEg&t=1176) shows how to load the filament, testing how far filament extrudes in 10secs. Am observing filament not extrude, but instead grind, because wheel bearing pressure and/or PTFE tube resistance and/or Y-adapter resistance are too much.
Am running into problem with filament getting stuck in the Y Adapter. Can't see any kinks in supplied stock 2mm ID / 4mm OD PTFE. And the filament looks fine, spot checked filament diameter, swapped for different filament. Neither filament seems kinked. Seems easier to manually shove silk pla filament through the PTFE than matte pla pro 🤷♂️. Am mostly using Overture PLA if that matters.
Am looking closely to see whether filament is getting stuck on fittings. Doesn't seem to be.
Have untwisted/unraveled PTFE tube which comes coiled when packed. Haven't relaxed the tube with heat, but I don't understand if/why the PTFE needs to be 2mm ID. Just ordered some 3mm ID to try out.
Any advice on other things I should try first? Cheers!
If your extruder is biting into the filament too much, it could cause the filament to get stuck in the 4-way.
Fwiw, something that's helped a bit,but not completely solved was to unscrew Y adapter and then check all the ends of the cut PTFE. Cleaned up one of the cuts. Also reamed opening of the PTFE cuts ends with small philips driver, this seems to help reduce filament snagging/blocking.
Noticed slight texturing/roughness on the inside face of the Y adapter, not sure if that's intentional part of the injection mold or not?
I suggest you check the alignment of the extruder gears in your 3D Chameleon. Check out Chris Riley's Part 2 video. You could also download my alignment tool on Printables.