That bargain-in-its-time 3D printer that I bought 7 years ago? The FlashForge Creator X?
I'm back to making heavy use of it, or trying to. And, things are getting frotzed.
Looks like the right-hand extruder is malfunctioning, and maybe worn out.
Seems I can buy a replacement extruder set for not too much money... it's for the newer model, so I'll have to look closely at compatibility. Apparently the current extruders have some upgrades, including the ability to handle NinjaFlex and suchlike squishy materials, which would be good. And, if I swap in a new assembly, I can perhaps rebuild the old one as a spare.
For the moment, it seems that the left-hand extruder is working OK, so it's not a huge rush. I can consider my options, including maybe getting a newer model with a larger build volume.
(And I still want to get a photoresin printer at some point, for tiny, high-detail things that you just can't do with hobby-grade FDM.)
Update: Well, whaddya know... the gear-stripping noises? I disassembled the extruder, and the toothy filament-drive roller thingy was in desperate need of flossing. All clogged up with dust and plastic residue, it was.
That doesn't seem to have been the only problem, though. Even after a dental-hygiene session, though it appears to be feeding filament better than it was, it's still making lumpy noises. May need a major rebuild, or at least a detail-strip and thorough cleaning. The left extruder continues to feed smoothly, with no lumpy noises. And, no, it's not the supply spool sticking.
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