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Topic: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

So today I decided to give the Acetone Vapour Bath a try and it did not work! What did I do wrong? (See the attachment for the set up.)

I increase the bed heat to 105C and I waited 45 minutes before I gave up because there was no gloss on the 3D printed part! Nothing happened and I don't know what I did wrong! Any suggestions, tips, ideas?

My set up is as follows:

-A glass jar that seals very well (purchased from Walmart).
-A hole in the middle of the seal with a Q-tip plugging it to prevent too much pressure from breaking the jar; I'd rather have the Qtip shoot out than a broken glass jar.
-A small glass acting as an island to place the part on it and separate the part from the liquid Acetone.
-Aluminum foil to place the part onto it so it wouldn't melt on the glass.
-The Acetone level was 1-2mm deep.

After a while condensed vapour formed on the bottom of the seal but the part did not turn glossy or anything. After 45 minutes I just gave up and turned the bed heat off.

Any idea what I can do to make it work?

Thanks.

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

is it PLA? it only works with ABS

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

Thanks. It is ABS. So may be put more Acetone then? I will try that.

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

It will be more effective if you can heat the acetone while its in the chamber.

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

Also put shorter standoff glass in there to lower the part more into the vapor zone.

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

Thank you. The Acetone I was using was really bad. I bought good Acetone from Home Depot and all is well now. smile

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

I need to try the smoothing again. I am wondering if the Acetone I was using was really watered down. I ordered some that was for automobilies so hopefully it's stronger then the nail polish type.

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA

8 (edited by ysb 2014-05-09 17:32:42)

Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

you can also put your model in a Freezer for around 15 minutes.. then put it in your jar with heated acetone. the vapor will condense immediately on the whole object for a more uniform Result. it's a good tip for taller object.

edit : language correction

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

ysb wrote:

you can also put your model in a congelator for around 15 minutes.. then put it in your jar with heated acetone. the vapor will condense immediately on the whole object for a more uniform Result. it's a good tip for taller object.


Congelator = Freezer in US


+1 on this. I have done it plenty of times with some rather impressive results.

SD2 with E3D, SD Press, Form 1+
Filastruder
NYLON (taulman): http://www.soliforum.com/topic/466/nylon/

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Re: Acetone Vapour Bath: Not working

I'll have to try this freezer method soon

Tammy
Solidoodle 2
E3Dv6 Hotend, MK5 v6 version, Glass Bed, Anti Z backlash slop nut, SureStepr SD8825 1/32 Extruder Driver, makeshift breakaway plexiglass case; . L-Cheapo 3.8 Watt Laser Attachment w/Custom built enclosure
From Buffalo, NY, USA