1 Topic by Billzbub

  • Billzbub
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2018-04-08
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Where to get Tough PLA

I am trying to print D&D miniatures with my new DaVinci mini, and sometimes the weapons like a monk's staff are long and thin.  The regular PLA makes them too brittle, so I want to try Tough PLA.  The only place I have found that sells XYZ Tough PLA is XYZ's web site, but they want to charge me $14 for shipping, which is half of what the filament itself costs!

Is there another place I can get Tough PLA that has sane shipping prices?

Thanks!

2 Reply by carl_m1968

  • carl_m1968
  • carl_m1968
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Far North almost not Dallas
  • Registered: 2014-10-17
  • Posts: 6,512

Re: Where to get Tough PLA

Billzbub wrote:

I am trying to print D&D miniatures with my new DaVinci mini, and sometimes the weapons like a monk's staff are long and thin.  The regular PLA makes them too brittle, so I want to try Tough PLA.  The only place I have found that sells XYZ Tough PLA is XYZ's web site, but they want to charge me $14 for shipping, which is half of what the filament itself costs!

Is there another place I can get Tough PLA that has sane shipping prices?

Thanks!


As long as you are sticking with XYZ brand you are at their mercy. If you Jail broke your machine you could then use PETG which is much better for your use. It prints like PLA but is closer in strength to polycarbonate. Think safety glasses.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

3 Reply by Billzbub

  • Billzbub
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2018-04-08
  • Posts: 2

Re: Where to get Tough PLA

Thanks for your response.  I didn't know that was possible.  I will look into it.

I did learn that I could manually add supports using a free program, and that REALLY helped.  I was able to successfully print the miniature including the staff, but using a different type of filament will make it more durable.

4 Reply by caheaton

  • caheaton
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2018-04-02
  • Posts: 8

Re: Where to get Tough PLA

XYZ also offers PETG for the mini, so that's another option.  I"m in the same position with my Jr.  I'd like to purchase some PETG and tough PLA, but the only source seems to be XYZ.  I suspect it's because the filament is relatively new, plus a bit of a niche market as the reason it's not stocked by other vendors.  I'm going to order some though, as I'd hate to see it discontinued due to a perceived lack of interest.

5 Reply by carl_m1968

  • carl_m1968
  • carl_m1968
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Far North almost not Dallas
  • Registered: 2014-10-17
  • Posts: 6,512

Re: Where to get Tough PLA

caheaton wrote:

XYZ also offers PETG for the mini, so that's another option.  I"m in the same position with my Jr.  I'd like to purchase some PETG and tough PLA, but the only source seems to be XYZ.  I suspect it's because the filament is relatively new, plus a bit of a niche market as the reason it's not stocked by other vendors.  I'm going to order some though, as I'd hate to see it discontinued due to a perceived lack of interest.


PETG has been around for several years now. It is only new to XYZ which uses a special formula that is not normal PETG. All filaments for XYZ machines regardless of material is a hybrid and melts at a lower temp than the standard market version. I use PETG exclusively and there are loads of it out there from third party vendors.

Printing since 2009 and still love it!
Anycubic 4MAX best $225 ever invested.
Voxelabs Proxima SLA. 6 inch 2k Mono LCD.
Anycubic Predator, massive Delta machine. 450 x 370 print envelope.

6 Reply by caheaton

  • caheaton
  • Newbie
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2018-04-02
  • Posts: 8

Re: Where to get Tough PLA

That's correct.  I meant that it's relatively new for the Jr/mini series....

I wonder how XYZ's formulation compares to other brands as far as mechanical properties (e.g., impact resistance).  I just ordered some a bit ago (a role of black tough pla along with some orange petg) so I guess I'll find out soon enough ;-)