# Can I use PLA in the Flexystruder?

**URL:** <https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/can-i-use-pla-in-the-flexystruder/5489>\
**Category:** LulzBot Mini\
**Created:** [January 10, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/can-i-use-pla-in-the-flexystruder/5489 "2018-01-10T18:33:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![shill66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5fc32e/32.png) [@shill66](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/shill66)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/can-i-use-pla-in-the-flexystruder/5489/1 "2018-01-10T18:33:01Z")

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Since it’s a bit of a chore to swap out extruders, I’m just wondering if I can run a PLA print using the Flexystruder rather than putting the original extruder back on first.

I’m guessing the answer will be something like “you can, but I wouldn’t recommend it because”… 😉

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**Author:** ![mwester](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex020/user_avatar/forum.lulzbot.com/mwester/32/135_2.png) [@mwester](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/mwester)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/can-i-use-pla-in-the-flexystruder/5489/2 "2018-01-10T21:01:22Z")

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Having built a flexystruder for my mini, I’ve had a hands-on opportunity to understand the filament feed path – the answer is that you cannot expect any non-flexible filament to feed through the flexystruder.

The basic issue is that the flexystruder doesn’t have a spring-loaded mechanism to push the filament against the hobbed bolt to feed it; rather the hobbed bolt intrudes on the hole through which the filament feeds where it depends on being able to “squeeze” the filament against the opposing wall of the hole in order to get a “grip” on it to drive it into the hot-end. A non-flexible filament just can’t be “squeezed” enough to fit; it’ll just grind into grunge and clog up the works. Best to not even try…

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**Author:** ![shill66](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5fc32e/32.png) [@shill66](https://forum.lulzbot.com/u/shill66)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2018, 10:02pm UTC](https://forum.lulzbot.com/t/can-i-use-pla-in-the-flexystruder/5489/3 "2018-01-10T22:02:22Z")

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Thanks very much for the detailed and informative reply. It makes sense, and I won’t try it.