5 ways to ruin your filament (and how to fix it)!

It's super easy to ruin a perfectly good spool of filament. Learn what to avoid if you want to keep your 3D printer's filament in perfect shape!

Avoid: Tangling, high temperature, pets, bad filament guidance and cooked filament!

[alexmarchant]

4k 60fps, not only the most informative 3d printer channel also the best looking

[krazed]

"Pets, like cats, dogs and small children..."

Well then! :-P

[joeldriver]

Just told my cat she is no longer allowed to use the printer when I am not home. Did not look happy!

[GeeksThroughoutTime]

6. Dust is a killer. I've spent a lot of time 3D printing in my basement with a wood-burning furnace and have to be extra vigilant against dust. Use a dry box, and retract your filament into it between long uses. Even storing your filament in a closed cardboard box will allow dust to get on it over enough time, and I currently have 4 rolls of filament on their way to the garbage because of this.

[adolfvalasek]

This was an awesome video. Really high production value and sharp, beautiful shots. Please do more videos like this, Tom!

[jameslaine]

Well done Tom. Your presentation skills have been constantly improving, and are significantly improved from your earlier videos, while still being as personable and informative as always. And the K-9 visual aid was a nice touch!

[ThingsWhichArentWork]

I thought it worth adding that your trick of unwinding the spool by about 20 turns to release the knot can also be done whilst the filament is still in use by the printer... You have to thread the whole spool through the loops to release the tangle, but if you have enough slack in the coils so the printer can carry on unaffected then it can get you out of a fix without having to abort a print job... I had to do that trick a couple of weeks ago. Cheers!!

[JeffDM]

I'm glad you mentioned too little drag on the unspooler being a potential problem. I see so many spool holder designs with ball bearings when a plastic bushing on a metal rod is plenty smooth enough. I've even used brush bristles to add a bit of drag so the material doesn't unspool itself.

[_Piers_]

The light in the background is a nice addition, it makes everything look warm and welcoming.

[DPrintingNerd]

The technical quality on this video is insane, Tom! I need you to show me how to film videos - looks great! Also, the new Prusa should be able to stop itself if it encounters the 1st problem :)

[thePods]

I just spent 3 hours taking my Dremel extruder nozzle apart to remove a clogged piece of filament that was beyond the help of the supplied de-clogger tool. Why? Because I was clueless about the very first thing you explain so well in this video. Thank you so much! Wish it had been part of the basic instructions that come with the printer. You did a great job of explaining it. Thank you

[xxnormxx]

Thank god i found this video... I was just trying to find vacuum seal bags to store my filament and because im a noob i have no idea what im doing but thankfully you said PLA doesn't NEED to be stored in some crazy box/bag i can just leave it in my room so saved me some money. I do have a dehumidifier too so i guess that will help with the small amount of moisture in the air anyway.

I probably will invest in some bags when i get more into 3d printing but right now i can just use the desiccant packs until i get more than one spool.

[thebackyardengineer]

TOTALLY WORTH THE TIME! Watching the cute dog playing with the filament spool.

[justinz]

Love the production value. Makes it way easier to watch compared to a lot of the junk here on youtube.

[eastman]

The quality of your videos are getting better and better. They look is amazing. Keep up the great work! I could listen to you explain anything! Great job.

[S....]

I love how you speak about this stuff while having your own filaments on the wall, in the open, dangling loose..

[havingfaith]

Out of all the videos I have watched on 3d printing I'd have to say your one of the best. Thank you for all the information. Please keep up the good job.

[veloctyTV]

Tangling filament. Best example: Look at the red filament on your rack :-)

[SensejWorld]

I really like your videos. They are to the point and on the subject. I got so fed up with technical videos that are talking about how someone feels about things instead about the subject :)

[bkzzzzz]

very nicely explained! thanks tom. I agree I had PLA sticking and jamming inside the heat block by just turning off the printer while the hotend is still hot. and this is more serious problem with the clone without any Teflon tube inside. but I didn't realised this until I saw this video. now its all clear why the filament was sticking inside every time and I can prevent that from happening.