This is a p1s using high-speed petg. I’ve never had a clog this bad, it seems welded to the print head. Not sure how best to go about cleaning this up. Any suggestions most welcome!
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I admit, that is a pretty bad clog.
Depending on how far the blob got under the nozzle cover, it is probably recoverable, but I would definitely order some spare nozzles before working on it.
Unfortunately there is no real shortcuts in this case. If you can cut away portions and free up the clog in sections and free up as much of the clog as possible, moving it into the kitchen freezer for 30 minutes will help to make the filament more brittle and easier to break of in sections.
Some YouTubers suggest using a heat gun. I have one but never was able to perfect the technique, you have to be real careful in where you apply heat. I found the only place where the heat gun mattered was where I had already freed the nozzle and was able to work on it with the heat gun to soften up some areas. But in the end, the final bits I relied on freezing and then breaking off the filament to get at the nozzle. I’ve broken more thermistor wires than I care to count so be careful no matter what method you try.
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Tools matter
I’m assuming you have one of these flush cutters . If not, flush cutters are a basic tool for making clean, close cuts on FDM filament and printed plastic. In this case, they are useful for carefully cutting away the larger sections of the blob.
This is one of the few cases where I would buy a brand name. I purchased these, and they are just OK. There are many awful knockoffs.
If you do not mind spending the money, this one is worth it:
Here is a generic search:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=flush+cutters&i=industrial
Flush cutters are good for the larger, exposed areas, but here are two other tools I keep in my kit. One came from a nail manicure kit, and the other came from my electrician’s tool bag.
The key is that both are very sharp and can reach into tight spaces.
The larger electrician’s side cutters are useful for cutting thicker segments. The toenail clipper is sharp and can get into crevices more easily, but unlike flush cutters, it requires more force to cut through the plastic.
This is the electrician’s version:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=electricians+side+cutters
These WorkPro cutters are very sharp and get into corners well. They are 6" long, so you can apply a lot of force, which you are going to need for the thicker pieces.
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Well something no one suggested was to turn on the hot end, which I did and then I was able to wriggle it loose. The rubber cover came off with the clog but basically the hot and looks okay. I was able to clean it with a paper towel while it was hot and get almost all the plastic off. Now it’s a lot easier to try and get it cut away from the cover.
Edit: they are all sold out of the front cover on the website 
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Wow, all things considered you got outta this easy
Looks like you need a new silicone sock, maybe new hotend assembly [if wires were effected], but looks like that is it.
well, if the cover survives its surgery, yes. No replacement if it fails. Looks like the wires on the hotend are okay tho.
@Olias , do you have any experience with the old-school Xuron flush cutter and if so, how does it comapre? thanks.
I really couldn’t get any kind of nippers into the area, so I went at it with an old soldering iron. I guess now I will try freezing the cover and see if I can get the rest of the residue to pop off the cover…. maybe somebody has a cover for sale on eBay. Otherwise I have to try and salvage this.
@woodslanding , is the remaining mass fused to the cover or can you micro-wiggle it? Your mention of the soldering iron reminds me that somewhere I have a hot knife that I made (Xacto blade silver-soldered to a soldering iron tip) decades ago while I was going though a kite-making phase, to cut nylon sailcloth…
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Almost done now. An awful lot of filament got shoved hot into the fan ducts on the cover…. The cover is a bit beat up but I think it will still function….
Okay that went quick…. Glad I bought an extra hot end last time. I should be able to get back to printing. Thanks for the help all! And hope this helps somebody else someday….
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Not sure where you are located but the cover is showing available for me in the US.
Those fan vents will function but I’d replace them.
Still pretty lucky!
Rusty: Can you post a link for that cover? I’m finding one for the p2s but not for the p1s
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