Nozzle Replacement

[EdK]

How do you tell whether your nozzle needs replacement? What are the symptoms of a nozzle going bad?
I've been using the same nozzle that the printer came with so it's seen a lot of use.  

Ed

[rleete]

If your print quality is worse - more visible layer lines - it's time to change. Compare it to a new one. If the hole seems larger, replace it. If the end is damaged from hitting the bed, replace it. Normal PLA won't wear it like metallic or wood filled PLA will.

Unless it's giving you problems, I'd leave it, but that's because I'm lazy. I have about half a dozen spares, but haven't changed it out, yet. If you're on the fence, just swap it out. Nozzles are cheap.

[EdK]

I also have a bunch of spares so I think I'm going to swap it out.

Ed

[rleete]

I just changed the nozzle for the first time last night. Should have done it a long time ago.

I was having problems getting prints to stick. Playing with the z offset helped some, but not always. Last night I got a partial clog and decided to check the nozzle. The end was so worn (nearly a full millimeter), that it wasn't anywhere near as close to the bed as I thought.

New nozzle, new bed tramming, and all is right with the printer again.

[MikeWi]

It can take a long time for a nozzle to wear unless you're using abrasive filaments. Once it does though, there's only one fix. I switch nozzles around so much that I think they don't even get a chance to wear. LOL

[arvidj]

Switched a few times and was always concerned about getting the correct torque. The last time seemed to be fine until I had to turn the heat up to get some PETG to print well. Not a major leak but just enough over several hours to be noticeable.

Decided to switch the hotend to a Revo Six. Just got it installed but initial impression is good. Have a couple different sizes ObXidian on order so wear-n-tear should not be an issue.