1 Topic by Heartlander

  • Heartlander
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  • From: Kent from Kansas City
  • Registered: 2013-06-23
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Topic: Reflections on the mirror

Two thoughts. If you buy a mirror for a print bed, it likely has a sticker and/or rubber pads on the back. Get those off and the gum too. Goof Off Pro or acetone should get it. Any gunk left on the mirror back will insulate or cause an air gap between the mirror and the heated bed and maybe slow warm ups, uneven heat and part warping.

Have a second mirror on hand to "hot swap" when the first on gets gunked up. Place the second mirror on the heated bed to warm while you clean up the first mirror. When you come back, the second miror will be hot and ready to print, saving you a few minutes.

Robox printer, HICTOP (Prusa i3 variant) Model 3DP17 printer, ELEK 2.5W laser engraver, AutoDesk 123D Design, Windows 10

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2 Reply by carl_m1968

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Re: Reflections on the mirror

I use mirror tiles from the 70's off ebay. You can get them in a 6 pack and get two beds worth from each tile. They have the hard silver coating.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
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3 Reply by heartless

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Re: Reflections on the mirror

you can still get boxes of six 12" by 12" mirror tiles at most home improvement centers for around $10-15 (depending on location). pick up a cheap glass cutter at the same time and you are off to the races.

when I first discovered the use of glass for the bed, I dug out an old box of these mirror tiles that I had lying around from other projects (used to do custom etching/engraving). Cut one to size and have been using them ever since. I currently have 4 printers, all with mirror tile beds and couldn't be happier.

as for how many you can get per tile... depends on the bed size. wink 200x200 only gets 1 per tile.

SD4 #1 & #2 - Lawsy carriages, E3D v6, Rumba controller board, mirror bed plate, X motor fan, upgraded PSU & Mica bed heater
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