leaking nozzzle head NO MAKERGEAR PRODUCTS INVOLVED HERE (don't want to start that pointless argument again ) Hi guys I have a bighead style nozzle which is leaking out the threads up the barrel. I have seen references to plumbers tape, but wonder if anyone has had success with such an approach. Alternatively, if anyone has used any other means to block the leakage that would be usefull to know. I initially had my heater block and nozzle wrapped in loft insulation which absorbed the leaking plastic for the first few days that I was extruding. My extruder then croaked and now having fixed the thermal break I found while testing without the insulation the leak is noticeable. I guess I will go for a one piece barrel/nozzle eventually which will bring the heater block closer to the tip, but a fix in the meantime would be usefull. I am thinking of maybe cutting a thin slice of 10mm PTFE, drilling a hole in it and squeezing it between my heater block and the nozzle head which will hopefully deform slightly under the pressure and seal off the nozzle leak, but that may slow down the heat transfer between the heater block and nozzle head to only work via the barrel itself. I don't know if that would be detrimental or not. Cheers guys. (and no arguments about who is responsible and who's products are good or rubbish please) https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76144#msg-76144 Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:31:16 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83430#msg-83430 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83430#msg-83430
Brnrd, thanks for the tips, i forgot to mention that was just part of my extruder... below are some pics of the whole thing (minus the "Wade" like geared feeding system).... I am using a piece of aluminum angle in place of the PEEK support block... It's tapped so it takes all the preasure from the extruder rather than the threads in the PTFE thermal break.

Right now i just have the thermistor mounted inside a little spade crimp connector, but i plan to grind a small notch in the side of the nut part of the acorn nut and glue it in with the same black fire cement i used for my heater element.

You can also see that i made the heater modular by wrapping it around a threaded insert so that it could screw onto the barrel... this also leaves me the ability to upgrade to a heater block when i can find some free aluminum stock and a vitrious enamel wirewound resistor. But for now im sticking with the nichrome wire because i got it free from a broken hair dryer! (there is TONS of it in those things!)



Thanks,
-Drew
]]> daufhammer General Wed, 11 May 2011 12:41:16 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83402#msg-83402 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83402#msg-83402
The thread in the PTFE would not last long unless you put a nut between it and the nozzle. Then you need something to function like the PEEK block to support the nozzle on the nut instead of the PTFE insulator.]]> brnrd General Wed, 11 May 2011 05:53:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83399#msg-83399 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83399#msg-83399
the plumbers tape might actually insulate a bit as you say but it wont be enough to keep the nozzle from heating. I think the important thing is that you put your thermistor on your nozzle so that you know what the nozzle temp is regardless.]]> Anthong Redbeard General Wed, 11 May 2011 05:33:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83387#msg-83387 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,83387#msg-83387
Here are a few pics of my hot end...



Thanks,
-Drew
]]> daufhammer General Wed, 11 May 2011 01:19:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76797#msg-76797 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76797#msg-76797 Anthong Redbeard General Sun, 13 Mar 2011 18:13:48 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76348#msg-76348 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76348#msg-76348 richrap General Tue, 08 Mar 2011 18:26:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76152#msg-76152 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76152#msg-76152
I guess I should decide whether to source a 1-piece nozzle or plumbers tape.

Anyone capable of supplying me with a 1 piece brass M6 barrel and nozzle combo bored to 3.1mm with a 0.5mm orifice in the UK? Price?

I could always try with my cheap drill press... but not sure how well that will work though, and then I need to source an M6 brass bolt. Anyone know where I can find one of these?]]> AgeingHippy General Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:32:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76149#msg-76149 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76149#msg-76149
I haven't tried it but I guess Fernox LSX joint compound would work. I have had a lot of success bodging plumbing jobs with it and it appears to be silicone, so it should handle the temperature.]]> nophead General Mon, 07 Mar 2011 06:04:11 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76146#msg-76146 Re: leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76146#msg-76146 rhmorrison General Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:40:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76144#msg-76144 leaking nozzzle head https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,76144,76144#msg-76144 NO MAKERGEAR PRODUCTS INVOLVED HERE (don't want to start that pointless argument again )

Hi guys

I have a bighead style nozzle which is leaking out the threads up the barrel. I have seen references to plumbers tape, but wonder if anyone has had success with such an approach. Alternatively, if anyone has used any other means to block the leakage that would be usefull to know.

I initially had my heater block and nozzle wrapped in loft insulation which absorbed the leaking plastic for the first few days that I was extruding. My extruder then croaked and now having fixed the thermal break I found while testing without the insulation the leak is noticeable.

I guess I will go for a one piece barrel/nozzle eventually which will bring the heater block closer to the tip, but a fix in the meantime would be usefull.

I am thinking of maybe cutting a thin slice of 10mm PTFE, drilling a hole in it and squeezing it between my heater block and the nozzle head which will hopefully deform slightly under the pressure and seal off the nozzle leak, but that may slow down the heat transfer between the heater block and nozzle head to only work via the barrel itself. I don't know if that would be detrimental or not.

Cheers guys.

(and no arguments about who is responsible and who's products are good or rubbish please)]]> AgeingHippy General Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:11:14 -0500