Discover the $15 tool every 3D printer owner needs. Learn how digital calipers improve E-step calibration, filament flow, and dimensional accuracy for perfect prints. The most essential tool every 3D printer owner should own for under $15 is a pair of Digital Calipers. Unlike standard rulers, digital calipers provide the 0.01 mm precision necessary for […]
Under-extrusion is when your printer lays down less plastic than it should—so prints look thin, weak, or “see-through.” The good news: most under-extrusion problems are fixable without replacing parts. In fact, the most common causes are calibration drift, filament drag, partial clogs, temperature mismatch, and slicer flow settings. Use this quick path: If you need
To fix under-extrusion without buying new parts, you must address the primary mechanical and software bottlenecks: clean the nozzle using the “cold pull” method, increase the extruder spring tension, ensure the PTFE tube is flush against the hotend, and calibrate your E-steps in the printer firmware. These adjustments ensure that the volume of plastic requested
To stop 3D print warping, ensure the print bed is perfectly leveled and cleaned with isopropyl alcohol to remove oils. For PLA, use a bed temperature of 60°C; for PETG, 70-80°C; and for ABS, 100-110°C with an enclosure. Applying a thin layer of adhesive, such as glue stick or specialized bed weld, and utilizing a
To choose between PLA, PETG, and ABS, evaluate the environmental demands of your part: PLA is the industry standard for high-detail prototypes and ease of use; PETG provides superior chemical resistance and durability for functional outdoor parts; and ABS is the preferred engineering material for high-heat applications requiring post-processing versatility. Material Tensile Strength Heat Deflection
A clogged 3D printer nozzle can quickly ruin a print and put your project on hold. Even if you have never tackled nozzle maintenance before, you can unclog it quickly with some easy steps. This guide breaks down the fastest and safest way to unclog your nozzle, outlines essential tips based on my own hands-on
Affiliate Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that make sense for the topic and for makers who want better results with less guesswork. Most beginners treat slicer settings like a checklist. Layer height.
Most beginners blame “the printer” when prints fail. They blame the bed. The slicer. The filament. The weather. The brand. But on most FDM machines, the real culprit is quieter and far more predictable: What is the hidden bottleneck in most 3D printers? The hidden bottleneck is consistent melt flow through the hotend. In plain
Raising print speed triggers a chain reaction: volumetric flow limits, vibration, and cooling problems. Learn what changes, why prints fail, and how to go faster without losing quality. But speed isn’t a single setting. It’s a trigger. The moment you print faster, you also change how quickly your hotend must melt filament, how hard your
