1 Topic by johnforeman

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Topic: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

Hi all,

I read in another post that black filament is the hardest to get quality prints with.  Well, without thinking, ordered black filament when I ordered my SD3.

Is there a color filament that is easiest to setup/calibrate the printer with that produces the best prints.  I can't see a point of adding to my frustrations while I'm learning, so I'll order what ever should be best to get me going.

Thanks

2 Reply by Leghk

  • Leghk
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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

Natural, by far the easiest. There is no pigment so it's just you and the clean pure ABS or PLA.

Don: Folger Tech 2020 Kossel Rev A + Borosilicate + Snow Effector
        Davinci 1.0 + Repetier : Filastruder
        SD3 + RAMPS + Lawsy Carriages + E3D + Borosilicate + ... : Cupcake

3 Reply by cmetzel

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

I haven't noticed any difference between any of the colors personally.  Don't buy anything extra to do setup and calibration.  We'll all help you get going.

4 Reply by johnforeman

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

Thanks for the info guys. Is it typical to have saved configurations for different colors?

5 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

johnforeman wrote:

Thanks for the info guys. Is it typical to have saved configurations for different colors?

I have different saved configurations for just about every variable.. Color and size are what I save my variables for

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

6 Reply by johnforeman

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

2n2r5 wrote:
johnforeman wrote:

Thanks for the info guys. Is it typical to have saved configurations for different colors?

I have different saved configurations for just about every variable.. Color and size are what I save my variables for

Size of what?  Layers and filaments. Or actual model size?

7 Reply by 2n2r5

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

I have a ton of different settings...

for print settings:

Layer height, support , infill, speed and nozzle (which is mostly extrusion width and speed changes)

Filament settings:

Set by reel - diameter, multiplier and temp changes

Printer settings -

changes for retract and nozzle size

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

2n2r5's Website

8 Reply by Hunter Green

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

I definitely have much easier results with lighter than darker colors, and white's always the best.

FlashForge Creator, SketchUp 2013

9 Reply by mcbride19 (edited by mcbride19 2013-07-20 04:31:14)

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

It seems that some colours need a diferent tempratures for example I'va got black white and blue, the white one is ok with 195°, the blue one and the black one are better with 197°/198°, I think that the Colouring agent can have some influance  !

10 Reply by mr_tim34

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Re: What filament color is easiest for printer setup?

the size refers to the filament diameter. Different manufacturers, different colors and different spools can have a slightly different diameter. You need to measure the diameter at several places along the spool, average the reading and then use that diameter in the filament setting of the slicing software. This will adjust how much plastic is extruded.

TiM