I have a head clog.
I have to disconnect the PTFE tubing.
Because the filament is stuck in the print head, I can’t disconnect the PTFE tube.
Last time, I had to cut the PTFE tube to cut the filament.
I could do that again, but the PTFE tube is getting shorter.
I want to disconnect the end of the PTFE from inside the spring loaded box on the back of the printer so I can replace it.
What’s the story on this box, and how do I disconnect the tube that is inside of it on the PRINT HEAD side?
Yes, you can. You must push down on the black collet where the tube enters.
As for the AMS buffer, there is a printable tool that allows you to disconnect. Failing that, unscrew the buffer from the back of the printer and you can reach the collet. Alternatively, insert a small screwdriver into the hole.
No, you can’t. When the filament is in the AMS and stuck in the extruder you cannot pull the PTFE tube from the collars because it’s locked in place by the filament inside it. You have to cut the tube so you can cut the filament before you can remove the tube.
The printable tool helps you remove the tubing from the AMS side. It doesn’t help with the print head side.
I need to replace the tube from the print head side to where it enters the printer and I’m worried about the spring in there. Has anyone done this?
I have been successful removing the ptfe tube as Mr. Holmes has suggested. It wasn’t easy but it came out. Only one time but it worked for me
I have removed the PTFE tube many times. But when the filament is stuck in the extruder it’s different.
I had this problem once too where the filament was so tight that I couldn’t get any of the ptfe’s apart.
I think I may have pressed the feeding funnel down on the appropriate slot in the ams to release the tension enough to get the ptfe coupler at the back of the printer apart enough to allow me to cut the filament.
Or I may have manually pressed the filament cutter.
If you cant pull the ptfe tube out, its because theres a jam at the hub. If not, it would pull out no problem with filament in it. It could be a jam in the ams, but the spring in the hub should still allow a couple inches of movement on the ptfe tube in this case.
Try pushing down the PTFE holder with one hand while also pushing down the PTFE with the other. When the holder is down as far as the slots will allow, pull up on the PTFE while holding down the holder. Sometimes the holder can dig a groove into the PTFE which makes it difficult to remove.
I haven’t had a clog yet, but couldn’t you press in on the filament cutter to cut the filament and then remove the ptfe tube?
Not if the hangup is above the cutter in the extruder.
This is a good idea. Next time I will be more aggressive with the feed opening in the AMS.
This is the way the SMC TG-1 release tool works and is how I do it on the hundreds of push lock fittings at work. At work I use a 6" adjustable wrench closed to the tube diameter to push the ring in while also pushing the tube in then while holding the ring in with the wrench, pull the tube out. Most of our tube is 1/4" through 1/2" and can bind in the fitting very aggressively, especially if an operator has pulled hard on the tube trying to get it out. The tool is available on Amazon and many other places. It does kind of ding up the outside of the tube so I wouldn’t use it daily but with my arthritic hands, it can be a life saver.
Hey there , I just had this exact same issue. Here is what I did, but I am sure you probably figured this out by now. I removed the AMS buffer unit from the back of the machine. This gave me access to the SPRING that surrounds the PTFE release collet. I just pushed the spring up so I can access the release collet (I had to use 2 hands to get BOTH sides of the collet down evenly. I had my partner pull on the PTFE tube and it came off easily. This allowed me to clean out the buffer with a tonne of crappy filament that was stuck in there! the spring easily goes back over the release collet. I hope this helps someone else , if this ever happens to them!
Daz67 - Thanks very much for sharing this.
I saw the printable collet tool once, before my printer arrived. Haven’t been able to find it since. Can you point me in the direction to find it?
There are many. This is one:
I saw that one on Bryan’s YouTube channel and printed the set the next day. It works as advertised.
This model is easy to print, easy to install and easy to use.
It also helps keep the tube aligned in the first place.
please tell me how do you cut the PTFE tube where to cut it
I cut the PTFE tube at the back of the printer about half an inch before it goes into the coupler at the printer. This frees up the stuck filament immediately. When you’re ready to put it all back together, remove and discard the half-inch end of PTFE tubing and you can stick the remaining tube back into the coupler. I’ve had to do this twice, and the PTFE tube is long enough if you don’t cut off too much. But you must leave enough in the coupler so you can grab it and remove it.
