3D Printer FYI

Print symptom

Stringing and oozing

Thin hairs between printed parts. Check residue, retraction, and temperature before buying a new hotend.

Stringing and oozing
Editorial diagram of thin strings between towers. Not a photograph of a specific printer.

  1. Inspect the outside of the hot nozzle for adhered material.

    Material residue on the nozzle contributes to strings

    Clean material residue from the nozzle safely.

    Next · Medium risk

  2. Use a controlled retraction test rather than changing multiple variables at once.

    Retraction settings are unsuitable

    Adjust retraction settings for the printer/extruder/material.

    Try this first · Low risk

  3. Compare stringing after a small temperature reduction within the filament's supported range.

    Print temperature is too high

    Lower print temperature incrementally while maintaining layer adhesion.

    Try this first · Medium risk

Completing a check records what you tried. It does not eliminate a cause. Continue in the worksheet