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3D printer maintenance

What to Buy with a 3D Printer: Essential Accessories That Actually Matter

March 26, 2026 by Derek

If you are wondering what to buy with a 3D printer, the short answer is this: start with PLA filament, flush cutters, a scraper or print removal tool, and a basic cleaning setup. After that, buy upgrades only when the printer gives you a real reason. That is the smartest beginner move. Most people do […]

Filed Under: Upgrades Tagged With: 3D printer maintenance, 3d printing tools, 3D printing upgrades, beginner 3d printing gear, best 3d printer accessories, digital calipers, essential 3d printer accessories, filament dryer, first layer tools, must have 3d printer accessories, nozzle cleaning kit, PEI build plate

How to Fix a Clogged Nozzle in 3D Printing (Step-by-Step Guide)

March 22, 2026 by Derek

A clogged nozzle in 3D printing happens when filament can’t flow properly, causing under-extrusion or complete blockage. To fix a clogged nozzle fast, heat the hotend, perform a cold pull, and clear the blockage with proper tools. If your printer suddenly stops extruding or prints thin, inconsistent lines, a clog is a likely cause. What’s […]

Filed Under: Troubleshooting Tagged With: 3D printer maintenance, 3d printer not extruding, 3d printing troubleshooting, clogged nozzle fix, cold pull method, ender 3 clog fix, extrusion problems, filament issues, filament jam fix, fix 3d printer jams, hotend clog fix, nozzle cleaning 3d printer

The BEST Way to Clean Your 3D Print Bed (Plus 2 Other Methods)

February 28, 2026 by Katey

Having a clean 3d print bed is imperative before starting a new print. A dirty 3d print bed will contribute to issues with adhesion, possibly resulting in a bad first layer. As we know, the first layer will usually determine the overall quality of the entire print. The best way to clean a 3d print […]

Filed Under: Blog, Guides, Troubleshooting Tagged With: 3D print bed adhesion, 3D print bed maintenance, 3D printer bed cleaning, 3D printer maintenance, 3D printing tips, clean 3D printer build plate, cleaning 3D print bed, fixing bed adhesion, flexible build plate, glass print bed, improving bed adhesion, isopropyl alcohol cleaning, PEI build plate, prints not sticking to bed, removing residue from build plate

Source: DallE3 - Artist rendering of nozzles with a hyper-artistic flair

3D Printer Nozzles (2026): Types, Sizes, Materials + What to Buy

February 18, 2026 by Katey

If you’re a 3D printing enthusiast like me, you’ve probably heard that the nozzle plays a major role in print quality and if you haven’t, now you know. Whether you’re new to the hobby or industry or an intermediate, welcome — by the end of this post, you’ll have a much better understanding of just […]

Filed Under: Blog, Guides, Product Reviews, Recommended Products, Upgrades Tagged With: 3D printer maintenance, 3D printer nozzle, 3D printing nozzles, abrasive filament nozzle, brass 3D printer nozzle, FDM printer nozzle, hardened steel nozzle, improving print quality, nozzle cleaning, nozzle clogging, nozzle diameter, nozzle size 3D printing, replacing 3D printer nozzle, ruby nozzle, unclogging 3D printer nozzle

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