1 Topic by user64x

  • user64x
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-12-27
  • Posts: 19

Topic: How to find absolutely flat ceramic tile?

My Solidoodle 3 heat bed has a slight concavity in it.  So, with the advice from the forum, I went and got a ceramic tile.  Now I have another problem.  The ceramic tile has a slight convexity in it.  And that's the best tile after sitting in Home Depot with a flat edge for half an hour looking for the most flat tile.  So even the "most flat" tile I could find has a slight convexity in it.

Any suggestions on where to get absolutely flat ceramic tile?

2 Reply by Claghorn

  • Claghorn
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Delray Beach, FL
  • Registered: 2012-10-22
  • Posts: 730

Re: How to find absolutely flat ceramic tile?

That's the main reason I use glass instead of tile. The vast majority of glass is made via the "float" process, so pretty much any glass you get will be really flat.

The tile I experimented with was reasonably flat in the center, and got really bad near the edge. Perhaps getting a big floor tile and having the edges cut off would work?

I ground some tiles with abrasive to get them flat, but the 220 grit ground surface was worse at holding the ABS than the irregular surface tile before grinding, and I wasn't really interested in spending several days polishing the pits out :-).

My ceramic tile story: http://home.comcast.net/~tomhorsley/har … ramic.html

Claghorn's Website

3 Reply by Skyblue

  • Skyblue
  • Member
  • Offline
  • From: Keller, Texas
  • Registered: 2013-01-04
  • Posts: 201

Re: How to find absolutely flat ceramic tile?

Hello guys...I am using 8 inch mirrors that I found at Walmart for 4 bucks each.  Perfectly flat on mirror side as well as reverse side.  Works great and makes the bed as flat as possible.  Held in place with binder clips.   Using a spray bottle of Abs glue, just lightly spray, no warping or sticking problems anymore.  Mixture of ABS and acetone is important, too thick and you will have to pry object from surface, too thin and it might come loose while printing....

4 Reply by RavensCrest

  • RavensCrest
  • Member
  • Offline
  • Registered: 2013-01-12
  • Posts: 269

Re: How to find absolutely flat ceramic tile?

:-( i know my edge is not flat.. i lost about 3mm.. but the rest of the tile is good. :-)
you have to keep on searching.. they are not as flat as glass, but they are flat..

Solidoodle2 with Ceramic tile heated bed http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2544/my- … eated-bed/
"1kg should last for an while" is a lie!