1

Topic: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

Hi, what is the best way to make sure a print will stick on the print bed?, right now im using a glue stick but sometimes it will pop off during printing even if I put a lot on the bed. Also what is the easiest way to remove it from the glass bed? thanks

2

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I use hair spray. "Aqua Net extra super hold" to be specific on the type I use.

Downside versus the glue stick is that there really isn't an easy way to remove it. Upside is that I don't apply it very often, which is what I didn't like about the glue stick method.

The key to getting good adhesion is to get the bed truly level and have your first layer "squished" right onto the bed. After that while there will be parts that can produce enough warp to pull up a corner, they won't "pop off" the bed at all. I normally have to pry the parts off and that's after letting the glass cool.

3

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I use hair spray. "Aqua Net extra super hold" to be specific on the type I use.

Downside versus the glue stick is that there really isn't an easy way to remove it. Upside is that I don't apply it very often, which is what I didn't like about the glue stick method.

The key to getting good adhesion is to get the bed truly level and have your first layer "squished" right onto the bed. After that while there will be parts that can produce enough warp to pull up a corner, they won't "pop off" the bed at all. I normally have to pry the parts off and that's after letting the glass cool.

4

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

i'v never used hair spray before, but I know that it should be unscented and how hard is it to remove the print compared to a glue stick and how hard is it to clean up, because after each print I take a wipe and wipe off all the glue and residual ABS. Thanks

5

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

oh and can you use elmer glue sticks or does it have to be UHU. Also does it have to be clear or can it be the purple elmer glue stick?

6

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

oh and can you use elmer glue sticks or does it have to be UHU. Also does it have to be clear or can it be the purple elmer glue stick?

7 (edited by galaxy99 2015-05-08 22:04:40)

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I’ve tried most of the methods (except hairspray) and for me, using UHU Stic (gluestick) seems the best.
I put plenty of it on the glass and don’t clean the glass when done.  I let the glue build up a bit and somewhat redistribute it on the glass (if needed - after about a dozen prints) with a warm/damp rag.  Haven’t had any issues doing it this way.

Try with what ever stic you have...  Others like the purple Elmer's

Mac OSX ElCapitan
Prusa i3 (two built from kits), 1 hacked DaVinci
Solidworks for models, Netfabb to repair, Repetier/Slic3r and Simplify3D

8

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I threw away the UHU stuff. I instead use Elmers Glue Sticks. The purple kind and have never had issues with stuff not sticking. Even on 20+ hour prints.

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.

9

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I use UHU glue stick. Make sure your bed height is good too, see the sticky on how to do this properly.
I clean it off by softening it with a warm, damp cloth then use a paint scrapper. Comes off easy.

Davinci 1.0 with repetier firmware & E3D V6 Lite
Anycubic Photon DLP printer, Einscan-S 3D scanner
Simplify3d, 123D Design, Meshmixer
http://www.thingiverse.com/scobo/designs

10

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I recently experimented with blue painter's tape and man, I have to pry my prints off my bed with it. I supplement it with Elmer's glue if it's a really large print.

Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised at how well it holds.

Win 8.1
Improved Da Vinci 1.0 with Firmware 1.2.5 and stock extruder
Arduino cartridge resetter and after-market ABS filament
TinkerCAD, Netfabb, Simplify3D

11

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

PseudoShooter wrote:

I recently experimented with blue painter's tape and man, I have to pry my prints off my bed with it. I supplement it with Elmer's glue if it's a really large print.

Give it a try, you may be pleasantly surprised at how well it holds.

Do you use it for ABS also? I'm quite happy at the moment with kapton tape + a light layer of ABS juice on top, but blue painter's tape is easier to find than kapton smile

12 (edited by PseudoShooter 2015-05-09 22:46:14)

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I only print with ABS right now. I'm too lazy at the moment to make the mods necessary to run PLA big_smile

Win 8.1
Improved Da Vinci 1.0 with Firmware 1.2.5 and stock extruder
Arduino cartridge resetter and after-market ABS filament
TinkerCAD, Netfabb, Simplify3D

13

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I print ABS only and use Elmers Glue sticks.

Just a note, if you have your bed adjusted properly and heated to 90 then you should be able to use just clean bare glass with PLA. My old 3Dstuffmaker was PLA only and printed on a heated mirror. No tape, glue, or any additive of any kind.

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.

14

Re: What is the best way to make a print stick to the bed?

I use tape on purpose for both ABS and PLA just to (hopefully) prevent the glass from breaking.