extruder and heat barrier found at walmart! cheap!

thingiverse

Create a heater barrier using high-temperature cork found in Walmart's craft isle and Home Depot's hardware section. The video demonstrates its working, and it can run at 285°C. To make this heater barrier, head to Walmart's craft isle for temp-capable corks (up to 300°C) and fire-retardant, non-flammable corks. In the welding section, get a pack of .6mm welding rod filaments. For less than $10, you can make six or more replacement extruders with these materials. You'll also need a 100k or 200k thermistor and a fiberglass-coated nichrome wire about 5-6 inches long or 4-5 ohms. Additionally, gather a m6 nut, a 1/4-inch hole, 1/2-inch washer, and a 1/8 drill bit. Drill a tiny hole in the welding rod to match the tip of the drill bit, then use a plastic filament to clear any clogs. Hand-drill a 1/8-inch hole through the center of the cork piece, and a .4- to .5-inch hole on the fat end, tapping it at an angle. Wrap kapton or electrical tape around the cork, then place washers beneath the welding rod piece and bolt it in place. Ensure the cork touches the washers for a tight seal. The design allows for a short heating region, with tested success using ABS plastic at 285°C. Preheat your extruder before use, and file down the end of your filament to avoid damaging the cork barrier. Note that this extruder requires an approximate 5-degree higher temperature for proper flow. However, a potential drawback is that the smallest filament size available is .6mm, and the lifespan of the cork barrier is uncertain.