1

Topic: Safely using Acetone

It seems like losts of people on here absolutely love using Acetone to smooth over models. Is there any proper way to dilute it down so that it may be used nearly with bare hands? I wouldn't mind if a print sat in it for a couple days.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

So you want to submerge the print in a diluted acetone bath? 

Just my opinion I don't think it'll turn out well.  Stick to the presto part finisher.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Acetone really isn't dangerous in the teaspoon quantities we use it in.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Rocketman wrote:

It seems like losts of people on here absolutely love using Acetone to smooth over models. Is there any proper way to dilute it down so that it may be used nearly with bare hands? I wouldn't mind if a print sat in it for a couple days.

I read that acetone can be diluted with water.  There was a post a few weeks ago about a kickstarter campaign that used a water-diluted solvent bath circulated by a pump.  If you go ahead and try it, please post your results.  I personally think we should encourage new ideas rather than shooting them down.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Acetone is indeed miscible in water:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetone

The trouble is it evaporates much faster, so if you leave an acetone/water mix exposed to atmosphere, most of the acetone it will be gone in a few days. So, you can't really control the concentration well.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

tealvince wrote:
Rocketman wrote:

It seems like losts of people on here absolutely love using Acetone to smooth over models. Is there any proper way to dilute it down so that it may be used nearly with bare hands? I wouldn't mind if a print sat in it for a couple days.

I read that acetone can be diluted with water.  There was a post a few weeks ago about a kickstarter campaign that used a water-diluted solvent bath circulated by a pump.  If you go ahead and try it, please post your results.  I personally think we should encourage new ideas rather than shooting them down.

I'm not shooting it down blindly.  I'm just looking at it like this:  We have a way to use a tablespoon of acetone in a $25 device to safely and effectively smooth our prints in a few minutes time.  We're proposing a method of managing a diluted solution of acetone and water laying around for much longer, with a considerable amount of more effort, requiring more supervision, and likely costing more than the $25 device to setup.   Once a simple solution is found I evaluate everything against that and it needs to improve in either cost, effort, time, safety, or results for it to be worth it for me.  This doesn't seem to do any of that.

7 (edited by jawilson4j 2013-11-10 22:51:51)

Re: Safely using Acetone

I am not able to post a link however try this new part finishing idea.  Youtube the following NXw5TUTVSb0

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Do you have any before and after pics?

I'm guessing the spray has acetone in it.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

interesting, I just purchased today a reusable spray can...Takes compressed air input and you can put whatever liquid you have inside. I intend on adding acetone. Tired of this imperfect science of vaporizing acetone.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Looks interesting. I would like to see pics as well.

Sprays hazardous ingredients.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Isopropyl Alcohol
Carbon Dioxide

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Re: Safely using Acetone

I tried one of those DIY spray cans.  With pure acetone, it seemed like the acetone was evaporating from the print before it had a chance to do anything.  Maybe the degreaser has some other stuff in it that keeps it on the surface longer.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

IanJohnson wrote:

I tried one of those DIY spray cans.  With pure acetone, it seemed like the acetone was evaporating from the print before it had a chance to do anything.  Maybe the degreaser has some other stuff in it that keeps it on the surface longer.

Did you try freezing the print before hand? I might do the spraying and then keep the part in a can to slow down the escaping.

I was surprised I hadn't heard of anyone trying that before. But it makes sense that you've tried it tongue

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Re: Safely using Acetone

I just sprayed it in the open air, but if you sprayed the print while it was in the bottom of something like a 5 gallon bucket that might help.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

muddtt wrote:

Carbon Dioxide

Deadly.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

elmoret wrote:
muddtt wrote:

Carbon Dioxide

Deadly.

It can be, at least in the morning.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

All of this is null and void until we see before and after photos.

I googled an Australian source and found none, hopefully someone in the states can do this soon.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Problem is, from the website he recommeded you need to buy a whole case. Maybe i can call the company and request one can as a sample. But not being an actual mold company i dont know if theyd send one tongue

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Re: Safely using Acetone

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927062

I'd atleast wear latex/nitrile gloves, and not do it at the kitchen table with the crockpot your planning on using for dinner.. haha

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Pregnant women and diabetics naturally produce high levels of acetone... Your body breaks it down quite adequately even at high doses (say like a pregnant diabetic).

Just saying smile

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Re: Safely using Acetone

I think you should get pregnant and prove it.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

lawsy wrote:

I think you should get pregnant and prove it.

Its the delivery that concerns me wink

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Re: Safely using Acetone

Hey, this is the 21st century, anything is possible these days wink

No pain; no gain smile

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Re: Safely using Acetone

I've been acetone dipping parts. More for strength than finish, but it does significantly improve the finish.

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Re: Safely using Acetone

elmoret wrote:
muddtt wrote:

Carbon Dioxide

Deadly.

You are thinking of carbon monoxide.  Carbon dioxide is what makes soda fizzy.

25 (edited by elmoret 2013-11-17 21:53:02)

Re: Safely using Acetone

cazz wrote:
elmoret wrote:
muddtt wrote:

Carbon Dioxide

Deadly.

You are thinking of carbon monoxide.  Carbon dioxide is what makes soda fizzy.

I was joking. Actually both are deadly though, admittedly in varying concentrations.