edin508
NES Member
Yup! I got one of the grow tent looking things from Amazon for my Prusa and it does make a difference.
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3D printing
- Thread starter NH Phantom
- Start date
pastera
NES Member
I'll second the comments on Hatchbox - It's not bad but it's overpriced against other filament of similar quality
For PLA don't worry about an enclosure unless an air vent is blowing on the build platform.
The temp sensors on the printers are simple thermistors that are not known for absolute accuracy - so your printer's 60°C might by anywhere from 55° to 65°.
Not an issue but it means you do need to tune your temperatures to your printer to get the best performance
There are a ton of videos on how to do a basic tune for an ender 3 - It's not hard and doesn't take long but if you want good quality prints it's required. Your printer might print perfectly on stock settings - likely it will print decently but most need at least some level of change from stock settings (temps and extruder steps are the big ones)
For PLA don't worry about an enclosure unless an air vent is blowing on the build platform.
The temp sensors on the printers are simple thermistors that are not known for absolute accuracy - so your printer's 60°C might by anywhere from 55° to 65°.
Not an issue but it means you do need to tune your temperatures to your printer to get the best performance
There are a ton of videos on how to do a basic tune for an ender 3 - It's not hard and doesn't take long but if you want good quality prints it's required. Your printer might print perfectly on stock settings - likely it will print decently but most need at least some level of change from stock settings (temps and extruder steps are the big ones)
pastera
NES Member
Go into the menu and set the nozzle temp to 205
Wait until it hits 195+
Squeeze the release lever on the extruder and push IN on the filament to extrude a tiny amount then pull it out.
While the nozzle is still hot, cut the new filament at a sharp angle, squeeze the release lever and feed in until you extruder some filament.
If you are changing color then push until the color cleans up.
Fixxah
NES Member
Fixxah
NES Member
What is a benchy?
Printables
www.printables.com
Benchy is a print a lot of people use to compare the quality of print from different printers and printer settings.
You need more pictures!
cockpitbob
NES Member
To elaborate on what the others said, the Benchy has become the standard test print. Literally a benchmark test. It has all the things that are challenging to print: overhangs, bridges, fine details, etc. In one print you can learn where most of the printer's weaknesses are.
Fixxah
NES Member
I never buy 250g spools, like the sample spool that came with the printer, they always run out at an inopportune moment.
Usually the sweet spot in terms of manageability and price is 1kg, often available in multi-color packs. My friends all love PETG for some reason, but for cheap-ish filament I go with PLA+ (aka Pro-PLA, etc; whatever the name, generally has ABS or some other modifier mixed in to add improve durability).
Yes, it is possible to change to another color (of the same type of plastic, e.g. go from blue PLA to white PLA mid-print, by inserting a "pause at layer ###" into the GCODE and then swapping out the filament when the printer pauses, taking care not to jostle (jump a step in x/y/z) the printhead in the process.
Here's an example, base layer is clear PC filament, the text is red PC printed over top:
Fixxah
NES Member
Downloading a file to put on the sd card is driving me mad. I am going to start drinking in an hour and after the bruins next overtime loss will attempt to get benchy for printing tomorrow assuming it is an all day project.
edin508
NES Member
In most cases, you need to slice it with whatever slicer software you prefer first, then print. Cura is a pretty decent program to use for this and after you slice the object it will ask you where you want to save the file. You can then choose your SD card, PC, or both.
Fixxah
NES Member
All well and good unless you are me.
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@Fixxah You'll be surprised how fast you'll pick it up. A big learning curve but do able. I started getting into in but unfortunately other things have taken priority for me. But trust me you will learn fast.
SJan
NES Member
You downloaded a 3d model (.stl) file
The printer needs a (.gcode) file, that's probably all it will recognize
Use a slicer program like Cura (free download) to generate a gcode from stl
In Cura you can change/adjust many parameters, watch some tutorials on YouTube to get started
Fixxah
NES Member
namedpipes
NES Member
If there is one attribute you need above all else in 3D printing, it’s patience.
Or Prusa slicer.
Dude we need to get together and I'll give you a class!
