what is it with gearing ?
Why would I need gearing ?
Even running at 150mm/s the extruder motor doesn't exactly turn fast. The shaft is the same diameter as the 17, as is the hobbed bolt. So the same gcode should make it turn at the same rate.
I'll be astonished if it hasn't got the torque to pull filament from a reel and push it through a heated hotend from about 6 inches.

What am I missing here ?