This Filament Hack Lets Me Use ALL My Filament

[@tvideo1189]

Get a candle. Light the candle. Hold the filament ends near enough to the flame to melt. Push the ends together. A little "filament donut" expanding ring will push out as you push the ends together. Keep the donut symmetric and the ends aligned. It cools in seconds. Take a nail clipper and clip off the donut rim, then use a fine file to smooth the joint. I have done it this way for many years now. It literally takes me less time to actually do it than it took to write all this down.

[@justinavery4047]

Thanks, I came to the comments because I knew someone would give me the easy hack to do it!!!

[@wolfman75]

Awesome!!! Thanks Chris!!! You Always Explain Stuff So Excellently!!! 👍😎💯

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

Thanks man!

[@wolfman75]

@@ItsMeaDMaDe 👍👍

[@roelofliebenberg2880]

Make the sleeve from a sort of metal, after connecting you can slide down to next connection.

[@PowerAirSimulations]

Awesome video Chris, I have a ton of leftover filament and this is going to help me out a lot. I just placed my order. Thank you.

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

@@PowerAirSimulations Steve! Hey man. It’s a handy tool for sure. I like it so far.

[@jamesbrandt1244]

I like to do a lot of test prints before final prints. Yes it's wasting filament but fun and I don't care what color it is. That device will be perfect for me. going to order me one. Thanks

[@S.A.S.H.]

Pre-ordered as soon as they put it on the website. As I do a lot of terrain for tabletop wargaming, meaning lots of paint on top, this is a perfect way for me to greatly reduce my throw-away, and when combined with the Bambu Lab ability to use the next spool to continue a print, it's certainly a game changer for any printing that won't be left filament color.

[@carlschulz1057]

Thank you for your explanation. You helped me realize that as a Bambulab P1S user that I do not need this. Not only does the AMS eliminate this problem but even when I use the external spool holder I can just use the extruder to fuse the next filament into the print when the first spool runs out. 😊

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

Yeah. I definitely think this isn’t for everyone. It’s nice and handy to have for non Bambu people. If you only have Bambu printers I don’t think it’s something worth getting. I have different brands and I like having it.

[@carlschulz1057]

@@ItsMeaDMaDe Thank you for your video tutorials. I get a lot to help me.

[@francisd.fortuin3447]

I need those sleeves right now and a little wax candle lit, because I think that would also work just fine. Not needing the cost of the machine itself lol.

[@roguewolf0148]

It’s a neat little tool either way you look at it. It would be nice to see a company like sunlu or elegoo or even creality create a consumer friendly ($$) set up for grinding up and making new filament from scrap pieces and/or failed prints. 🤔

[@Wood6Red]

Huge take. Maybe not necessarily a big giant HAS to do it but, if done well and with the right intention/ backing it’s a win-win regardless of who makes it happen!

[@BESTofAlp]

I'm new here and it's really enjoyable to listen to you, you have a nice vibe :)

[@Chaos3dPrintWorx]

That’s a cool splicer! Way better than the 9.95 Amazon one that you have to use a lighter. Thanks Chris for the video

[@robmcdonald6808]

Thanks for this one. Good to know this is out there

[@BossyNSaucy]

Didn’t read the comments so my apologies if this has already been said but: When your weld is cooled you can hold the plastic sleeve and spool the filament pulling the sleeve off the end and reuse them. I have watched a few videos on this welder and saw this done in one of them. 😊 Can’t wait to get mine I have my end bits all lined up (methodically) ready to try it out! 🎉

[@jerrymacvaldosta]

Great good use for left over filament for prototype pieces where color has no concern!

[@Tuari80]

I was literally just thinking about needing something like this yesterday, after a print, where I had some left over on a spool but couldn't do anything with it. The I looked over at my filament pile and noticed how many spools are in the same situation. Their pre-order bundle sale seems worth it, you get a few spools of PLA 2.0 w/ the connector. I did buy a spool of 2.0 last week, but haven't used it. Hoping it's as good as they say it is.

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

@@Tuari80 yeah it’s a handy little tool to make it possible to use up all the filament. I’ve been printing with the spool I made and it’s been printing just fine. It’s my own ugly rainbow filament l.

[@tonykyle2655]

I went ahead and purchased it this morning. I have 2 partial spools of a color and am about 1/2 way through a 3rd spool. On my Flsun v400, where the run out sensor is, this should help me. I also have other partial rolls of filament. The suggestion to keep kind for kind (PLA to PLA (or the + to +)) is a good suggestion. Especially I would not mix PLA and PETG. Or abrasive with non abrasive materials or silk and non-silk filaments. Thank you for the review.

[@chrisceravolo8591]

Great video! I have one issue. The AMS advertises the ability to switch spools when one runs out. It sounds awesome and I bought one. The issue is that Bambu is using tape to start their spools. The tape either jams the AMS or releases early and causes an error. Today I got a failed to retract when the tape cut loose. If you’re around the printer you can deal with it. If you’re doing an overnight print, you’ll be disappointed to find the issue. Regardless, the AMS is not reliable when using the Bambu spools, which is kind of ridiculous. I bought almost 30 spools from them recently and they all seem to use the tape. The Bambu forum has other people posting about this issue, and so far there hasn’t been a fix from Bambu. The AMS is great for multicolor prints, but don’t rely on the automatic switch for an empty spool.

[@jackcoats4146]

Back in 'the day', folks did this and could use a small piece of aluminum foil wrapped around a joint, and heat with either a heat gun or soldering iron. It worked but was a pain. Might try a little strip of foil instead of the plastic sleeve. BTW, don't tape the foil, just wrap smooth and tight, and give it a shot. Only go around 1 or 2 times at most.

[@paulusdeboskabouter9753]

I use the idea of Mike "What is Mike making now" you tube "The best way of welding or slicing filament" for several months now. Sunlu has made a practical solution of his idea. It seems.

[@Tom-lu9gj]

Bambulab AMS makes this device useluss.

[@heeelion134]

doesnt the bambu ams purge and waste a ton?

[@jeffrey_k]

@@heeelion134 Yes if its printing colored parts, but not if its just doing an auto switch when it runs out of filament. So you can print right to the end of a roll, then it will just switch to another roll leaving no left over filament and only doing a single purge.

[@PeterAgostiniJdcap26]

I run my spools 🧵 to 2 rings left to 1 so not applicable . Great ideal for multi color spools this device . Thanks Chris great review 😁👍

[@ivantodorov9228]

Nice video Chris 😀 Do you happen to know why during printing you can no longer pause and change the filament on p1s (load and unload buttons remain grey)? Is this limitation introduced by the manufacturer on purpose?

[@IceCat143]

I think it’s good for people who don’t have AMS. Who wants to use a lighter to join filament. Not me.

[@somhunt5446]

is it possible to use only half portions of those plastic sleeves?

[@ItsMeaDMaDe]

@@somhunt5446 I tried that and got mixed results. When I clipped in the filament it slid out a lot.

[@mrnlce7939]

Would it work with the PET filament people are making from plastic bottles? Also you can slide the sleeves off and reuse them. I don't know how many times but I saw someone do it. Great video. Keep up the good work.

[@GeorgePereira-cc7nl]

Where can I get that sunlu filament connector?

[@Kbirson1]

I'm wondering if the joints are prone to breaking based on the curvature of the filament - if you connect filaments but their curvature is different, that will put stress on the connection and probably snap when respooled or fed into an ams. Conceptually this could be useful, but it may not be so practical after all.

[@macmi11i]

cool, the concept is similar to fusion splicing fiber for telecom

[@danallen698]

On the plastic sleeves; if your scraps are fairly short, it looks like you could slide the sleeve off while spooling. It might take a little longer, but might be worth it. I probably wouldn't recommend it if you measure your scraps in meters though.

[@seanobrien7169]

I think it is a great option. I think the execution on this product is a bit clunky, but it works. What id like to know is why filament runout sensors arent populer, especially with the ender crowd? I love mine, it allows me to finish the spools and just swap to a new one. Problem solved. What is killing me at tbe moment is humidity! The height of summer, living on a lake and no AC. Windows all open my filament is in pain! Maybe an idea for a video or two?

[@GLHerzberg]

How is the fused diameter? Does the machine only handle 1.75mm? I wonder if spiral wrap fusing tubes would be more re-usable?

[@tryviper1404]

You know how spools come half full, how many full spools could you fit on one spool if you fuse them? Imagine using a 3kg of material on one spool instead of having to stop your print to change filament during large or dense prints.

[@SinkyYT]

I've seen this on Facebook ads, thought it was a scam at first. People in the comments moaning about having to buy extra sleeves after the initial supply has run out. 😂 I'm off to buy it now as it will come in handy in the future. (I'm new to 3D printing). Surely it would be possible to re-use the plastic sleeve by using some cellotape?

[@adamw.9165]

When I look at miniature I was pretty sure that's going be about filament jointer :)

[@AgustinSaldias]

You could just slide out the plastic sleeves out of the added spool, though annoying, should be doable to re-use them at least a couple times.

[@MrPigments]

Missed opportunity to say "spool new tool" as a pun.

[@S_M_McBean]

12:12 There's a safe question for the internet!

[@seanobrien7169]

The double lids on that thing look like a PITA

[@OHshik3D]

I'd notice that he never actually printed with that filament. I seen at least one other channel say they struggled to print after using that because the fused points were too wide to fit.

[@ghguyrur7]

I’m so thankful you uploaded this. I just ruined a 3 day print that was going to be a birthday gift. I paused, took out the old roll, put a new one in and extruded it. Resumed the print and it dropped a whole inch and just crushed the print into my hotbed. Wouldn’t of happened if I just attached them

[@chrishurley8382]

£85 seems a bit steep for that, if I'm honest. Maybe for someone with a print farm, but hobbyist with a single printer? I'll carry on doing my filament switch over to use up my leftover bits

[@p-196]

If the fillament sensor of my Prusa MK4 detects, that the fillament runs out, the printer allways ejects a few cm of fillament that would be waste. Okay. I still can use this snippets with my 3D Pen, but not with my Printer, because for the MK4, they are to short. With this device, I will be able to fuse this parts together to a rainbow fillament and reduce waste.

[@RedERscrubs]

It was $30 a week ago!!! WTF?!? They just lost a potential customer! And I already have an AMS! I figured I’d help them out!!!

[@GregoryMcLean]

Bambu X1c with AMS, empty spools all around.

[@MSWindman]

This device doesn't save much time compared to the far cheaper filament welders, like Hexagon, which costs about $40 on Amazon. Plus, Sunlu's device can't weld/connect all filaments like most of the inexpensive models. For $100+ Sunlu should include a charging brick. I'll pass on this. Thanks for the video.

[@joshwhite4412]

It cost 49 straight off their website.. what crack are you smoking?

[@NotFranksPlanet]

Doesn't everyone's printer just let you know the spool is out, pause, and let you load the new spool?

[@maggiethemonkey]

Looks like a great device, just a bit expensive for my taste at $170AUD

[@jadlaf]

So you are calling this a HACK? It's a product, not a hack.

[@RandoTechNerd]

Yeah what the Hack??

[@nywyfreelemental9231]

Not surechow using a pre-made tool in the manner it was designed is a hack

[@staniobadjo]

I'm giving a like ,because I like how you explain stuff...but I don't like the tool ...it's over complicated , and produces more waste. I'd rather use the auto refill function in the AMS

[@chantaldepelteau8648]

Same

[@NickBR57]

And completely pointless in that context. Without AMS, on the occasions I want to use up.ends of spools, I would (did) just feed in new end as the old one disappeared into the Bowden or the extruder (depending on direct extruder orbit). Yes it took a couple of minutes, but no more than this tool and a lot cheaper.

[@owengrossman1414]

I checked the price. I’d need to salvage at least 5 spools worth of filament to justify it. It’s not for me. 🤷🏻

[@ozskeeter]

not a "hack" but a promo to a device that needs purchase and uses consumables

[@DennisCrawfordJr]

Jealous. Still waiting for mine.

[@oldsk0ol]

If there's a specific tool for it, then it's not a hack.

[@hryniek87]

I wonder how much SUNLU paid the creators to promote this shitty product

[@OldGeezerWithNothingBetterToDo]

Stop wasting plastic by wasting different plastic. 👎

[@kpodbot]

Not really a "HACK" is it?

[@txwombat7826]

a bit overpriced for sure...