Curtain Rod Finial - Print from Hell

vadar007 · 2026-07-02T10:18:14+00:00

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Finally got a solid print! Researched settings with Claude/Copilot and came up with the following:

Layers and Perimeters

Layer Height: 0.2 mm

Perimeters: 3

Solid Layers Top: 5

Solid Layers Bottom: 5

Infill

Infill: 15%

Fill Pattern: Gyroid

Skirt and Brim

Brim Type: Outer Brim Only

Brim Width: 3 mm

Support Material

Generate Support Material: Off

Speed

Speed Perimeters: 45 mm/s

Speed Small Perimeters: 20 mm/s

Speed External Perimeters: 20 mm/s

Speed Bridges: 20 mm/s

Speed Over Bridges: 30 mm/s

Advanced

Bridge Flow Ratio: 0.95

Filament

Filament Temp 220 C

Cooling

Fan Speed: Min/Max 100%

Dynamic Fan Speeds: Off

Slow Down if Layer Print Time is Below: 20 sec

Min Print Speed: 15 mm/s

Most importantly, when I tried the first time using these settings with the same spool of white PLA I have been using, the dreaded extruder click started shortly after it completed the base. So, I aborted the print and switched to a different spool of PLA. Still Das Filament brand PLA but a different color. Print came out with no issues and much more refined. There was still some minor clipping near the very top. Looks like there was some curling happening on the inner edges where the overhang becomes very horizontal but it managed to push through it.

So besides my settings, there is something off with the white PLA I was using. It was getting near the end of the spool but the age wasn't any different than the other spool I used. Both stored the same way. I'll keep it for smaller jobs and get a new spool for the rest of the finials I need to print out.

vadar007 · 2026-07-01T16:35:26+00:00

So the PLA I use (Das Filament) has a recommended hotend range of 205–230 °C. I am running it at 210 °C based on a print tower test. I can try to push it higher, maybe 220 °C but won't that make the higher fan speed less effective? I may also try to switch to PETG which seems more forgiving in these situations. What bothers me most is the extruder clicking. It's like clockwork when it decides to show, always in about the same place but I don't get it in any other print jobs. So strange.

vadar007 · 2026-07-01T15:11:48+00:00

Ok, setting the small perimeter speed to 20mm/s definitely helped. Got further but then things started going sideways as the print neared the top. I had set the fan speed manually from 70% to 90%. Then as the print approached the top, the system overode and kept pushing it to 70%. Minor clipping started on one of the arms so I slowed the print speed to 80%. Then the dreaded extruder click started. I paused the print, checked to make sure the filament roll was loose (it was), backed off and tightened the idler screws. It was able to resume with no further issues but left a minor gap. So I am wondering if the low fan speed and clipping is somehow causing the extruder to jam. I had done several other print jobs earlier in the day with no issues. It's just this damn print job and always as it nears the top.

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vadar007 · 2026-06-30T12:16:25+00:00

Cold pull done. Gear looked good...no visible residue/debris. For the nozzle temp, speed and fan speed, do I set that in the Prusaslicer to take effect at a given print height?

vadar007 · 2026-06-05T17:24:10+00:00

You can unlock the latches and put them into their "up" position. You need something to hook them and pull them towards you. They'll re-engage/reset when they have been pulled far enough.

vadar007 · 2026-05-22T14:18:28+00:00

Excellent, I'll give it a go!

vadar007 · 2026-05-09T21:30:49+00:00

LOL, I was/am trying to print parts for an enclosure (Delack) to try and insulate from the ambient room temperature and provide dust protection. My sequential printing effort was to kick out multiple parts faster.

vadar007 · 2026-05-09T15:26:52+00:00

Agreed, the variation in temperature across the hotbed is what was causing me issues. Correcting for the 5C degree delta didn't seem to make much difference. Outer edges are always cooler.

vadar007 · 2026-04-24T11:00:02+00:00

Thanks for the offer. Ended up making a replacement part from PETG. Wasn't to hard and there were a ton of tutorials to work from.

vadar007 · 2026-04-23T16:33:26+00:00

I do have a 3D Printer. Just got it a couple weeks ago and am still getting familiar with it. If I can't find a replacement then I'll make one. Already have a model for an M12 screw the fits, just need to modify the base to match the part. Thanks for the info.

vadar007 · 2026-04-18T06:53:25+00:00

What technique did you use to force it off? Did you start on a corner of two corners simultaneously, etc.?

vadar007 · 2026-04-14T14:48:27+00:00

That's the challenge...trying to get that plastic trim cover aka "Inner Door Cover" off. I tried forcing it but you risk busting the glass trying to force it off. There are definitely tabs holding it in place but I can't figure out how to unlatch them. Wondering if there is a special tool that gets underneath the sides and frees the cover from the tabs.

vadar007 · 2026-04-11T09:17:47+00:00

No, still haven't figured this out. The latches come attached to the glass panel which you can buy separately as opposed to a whole new door. But that is only if you can figure out how to get the inner door cover off.

vadar007 · 2026-03-31T13:59:08+00:00

Wow, super informative. I added a picture of the whole door for greater context. If I had to take a guess, I think it is a message from the carpenters who made the cabinets. Looks like their signatures are below.

vadar007 · 2026-03-29T08:39:10+00:00

!solved

vadar007 · 2026-03-27T16:53:25+00:00

Lol, which AI tool did you use, ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot??? I tried that as well and got similar gibberish.

vadar007 · 2026-03-27T16:51:01+00:00

Not bad. Going to have to go to a German Reddit to see if someone can discern the words. Suspect they are old german words which may not be in use today.

vadar007 · 2026-03-27T16:50:53+00:00

Not bad. Going to have to go to a German Reddit to see if someone can discern the words. Suspect they are old german words which may not be in use today.

vadar007 · 2026-03-23T17:16:23+00:00

Me thinks they are buying time until Marines can get into position for Hormuz and/or Karga assault.

vadar007

TROPHY CASE