1 Topic by Dacvak

  • Dacvak
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  • Registered: 2015-03-05
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Some beginner questions

I'm sure I can find the answers to some of these questions elsewhere, so forgive me for asking a few of these.

First off, what do most people use to get the ABS to stick to the plate? I've tried both hairspray and gluestick, and both work pretty poorly. Secondly, it seems like most of my prints are sloppy. Like, there are always spots on the print that have small out-of-place bits... It's hard to explain, but it just seems sloppy. I almost feel like the plastic doesn't extrude evenly or something... I'm not totally sure.

Also, my Press shakes a bit while it prints. It's just from the extruder moving quickly, but I'm wondering if it might be the reason the prints are coming out sloppy?

Next, how do you manually level the plate? Is there a guide or video somewhere? Also, should it be level with regards to Earth, or level with regards to the Press? (Obviously, ideally it would be both. But let's pretend that my house isn't level or something. I'm just curious.)

What's the best thing to use to clean the plate? And should you clean the plate well after the print, when it's completely cooled? (Probably...)

Finally, what level of maintenance should I expect to service with random semi-frequent use?

Thanks.

2 Reply by Fredjikrang

  • Fredjikrang
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  • Registered: 2015-01-16
  • Posts: 124

Re: Some beginner questions

I use Elmer's glue stick, and ABS sticks really well at 90º C. Once the print is done I just let it cool down and the parts pop right off.

It is really important to make sure your Z offset is good. That is the number one reason for things not printing well.

Mine shakes too, but I still get some pretty good prints. Maybe check the tension of your belts? Also, adjusting the extruder power can help make your prints a little cleaner.

There isn't an easy way to manually level the bed. But if you really want to, it should be level with regard to the print head.

To clean the plate, the best thing is Acetone. Next best is alcohol. You want to make sure it doesn't have any oils on it, like fingerprints. I very rarely clean my plate. Once I get a nice coat of glue on it I'll print 5-20 times before cleaning it and starting over. I just make sure not to touch it.

Maintenance is just keeping the axis greased, which only has to be done every hundred hours or so.