So the pen was broken...

I had some time to think about my tips & tricks.  They're in the "Sketchy Notes" section of this block in the column on the right.  The biggest point to make, if you don't want to be bothered maintaining your 3D pen, if you don't want to or can't disassemble & reassemble the nozzle of the pen, DON'T GET ONE.  Think of it as an artist maintaining their equipment in the same way as an air brush artist maintains his air brush nozzles, in the same way oil painters take care of their brushes, or a sculptor maintains their oven & clay wheel.  Tattoo artists have to maintain their tattoo equipment, assemble & reassemble, eventually fix their equipment to stay in business.

So if you're thinking about getting into this media, read the Sketchy Notes.