SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-15T20:07:11Z

Yes, for best results. If you don't, you might get a slight wavy pattern on the bottom of your print where the glue is uneven, at worst. But it is water soluble, so with a damp paper towel you can clean the entire bed in ~15 seconds and it looks new. If there is water remaining on the bed, it quickly evaporates. Then just reapply for the next print.

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-15T17:06:00Z

Do you have to re-apply the glue after every print?

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-15T16:47:13Z

I also use a glass bed mod, stuck to the kapton over aluminum with a coat of hair spray. I put the binder clips on, cycled the heat twice and it stuck like a champ.

I also use elmer's purple glue stick and it has been so much better than aquanet hairspray for me. With glue stick and a full enclosure, I have printed an 8 hour object with sharp corners that took up most of the bed without a single hint of warping or lifting. Then just let it cool and it pops right off and I have a smooth finished bottom layer every time. There is no mess like hairspray and it won't get all over your rods. Your glass bed wipes clean with water and a rag easily. You can buy it practically anywhere, I pick up a stick the same place I get my groceries for less than $2. I have 50+ hours printed on my glass bed and it still looks like new. Every time I convince someone here to switch to glue stick and put away the hair spray (except for the initial stick of glass to kapton covered bed), I feel like I have done my good deed for the day.

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-15T00:18:55Z

I picked up an old mirror from the local thrift ship and cut it in 6x6 inch pieces for my SD2. Light coating of hairspray and very pleased with the results.

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-14T23:41:14Z

1. Nope - one benefit of glass is avoiding tearing kapton! Bill uses ABS glue, but some of us also use hairspray in the same way. I hear glue stick (US brand 'elmers') may also work. Experiment to see what you like to work with.

2. Any glass will be fine, but if you're using regular glass be careful not to take it out of the printer and stick it under cold water etc. (i.e. avoid sudden temperature changes). Certainly nothing particularly special about the solidoodle part. People here have used mirrors from Ikea and reported they work well - cheap, pack of 4, rounded edges, right size for SD3/4: http://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/00192594/

3. It goes straight on top of the existing bed - leave the existing kapton on. Bill is using clips, but since wardjr suggested sticking the plate to the bed with more hairspray, I've been a convert. This ensures no warp in the glass plate, and is still pretty easy to snap off when you need to take the plate out.

Re: Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-14T22:06:57Z

Hi Jammerx19 I went to my local hardware store ( real hardware not big box store) had them cut 4 8 1/4 x 8 1/4 in squares of their regular window glass .092 inches thick glass cost $10.00 . Then I coat them with acetone glue ( regular filament dissolved in acetone) that I painted on with a paint brush . Then I put in right on top of my bed which has original kapton tape still on it and I use two 1'" paper clips , 1 in to front and 1 in the rear . I have used this since January 2014 and not 1 single problem with it . Bill D PS. I have a SD 3 so your bed size would be different 6 1/4 x 61/4 inches

Solidoodle's glass bed upgrade

2014-07-14T21:46:09Z

I'm generally pleased with my SD2 except for the old curling print problem, but from what I've read, I'd get better luck if I went with a glass bed. I'd like to buy Solidoodle's glass bed but the following questions come to mind:

1. Do I need kapton tape for it? Can I do without?

2. Is it borosilicate glass? Doesn't seem to say that specifically in the description.

3. Do I have to do anything other than just lay that on top of the kapton tape of my aluminum bed, or does it replace all that entirely?

And if anyone else has done this specific upgrade, I'd like to hear from you.