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very slow, nozzles get plugged now and then too

Clogged nozzles are user error the majority of the time. I’ve had multiple printers being used regularly for the last 4-5 years and I can’t even remember the last time one actually clogged.

These things have a pretty steep learning curve to get good results.

What specific thing do you learn to prevent clogs?

Most surprising thing is that you cannot use too much heat. Filament melts too early and sticks to the walls of the feeding tube.

This is very particular problem if you have high-heat extruder and you want to use low-heat PLA plastic. Even if you adjust the printing temperature right, all the other functions are for high-heat, and so the PLA sticks and clogs when you are feeding it in.

Great answer, also too much retraction such that the filament gets pulled up into the cool zone while partially melted is another big source of clogs beginners run into. Usually while chasing down stringing issues. The balance between heat, retraction, and speeds are super important. But beginners tend to just crank up the retraction and end up with a clog.

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