Printing Extruder Plungers

[PropellerScience]

I just printed an extruder plunger to replace one that is getting a
deep groove in it.
I printed mine in ABS because that's what was loaded on the machine at
the time, although PLA sounds like it might last longer.
Has anyone tried this yet, and how does it compare to the original
Delrin plunger?

[PropellerScience]

I assume the lack of replies to my question is because it was so
obvious that everyone was busy prying their faces out of their palms.
I finally got around to putting in my printed ABS extruder plunger,
and so far it has worked very well. I needed three extra washers that
were conveniently supplied by Makerbot in my parts/tools bag so I
think I'll add that extra length to the wide part of the plunger, and
put a derivative on Thingiverse.
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28733
Next I'll try PLA, and see if it melts.
Stay tuned!

[AdanA]

+1 "prying their faces out of their palms"

Very smart, good way to fix that system. I've been delighted, however, with emmett's interpretation of the minimalistic feeder. Spring-loaded ball bearing is such a good way to keep the filament against the drive gear.

[PropellerScience]

I like emmett's system too, but does it work on dual extruder models?

[Adan Akerman]

Yeah, check this out: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:28241 

He reinterpreted whosawhatsis' approach and made it fit under the std replicator plate, no need even for the modified plate print. I used a spring from a home depot assortment, which required enlarging the spring recesses: drill ftw.

On Friday, August 17, 2012, PropellerScience wrote:

I like emmett's system too, but does it work on dual extruder models?

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[Herón Ordóñez Guillén]

how does it work?

[andrewupandabout]

Great job. I will keep this in mind when I get my face out of my hands haha.

[PropellerScience]

Ohhhh, OK. I was thinking of a different thing put on a single
extruder that looked like it was sticking out too far on the sides for
a dual extruder. I don't know how I missed it since I check for new
things a few times a day. I'm glad I brought up the plunger again, now
I can get rid of it! Thanks.

[Adan Akerman]

Good luck - mine hasn't stripped out yet, where before it was doing so alarmingly frequently.

[drando...@gmail.com]

I just finished printing the parts for the MK8 replacement and I order a bunch of mcmaster carr parts. Depending on which ones work I'll make up a nice shopping list for everyone to do the upgrade, it looks like it will make a huge improvement.

I've also backed this project and it looks like I'll be getting it soon, so I'll let everyone know how that turns out too. http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/qu-bd/open-source-universal-3d-printer-extruder-dual-ext

[PropellerScience]

I backed it also, but just a single extruder model for now.