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amanzi

Amanzi
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#312733 13-May-2024 13:46

I've just purchased my first 3D printer and was surprised to find that Geekzone doesn't have a dedicated 3D printing forum. Is there enough interest to start one?

From my quick Google search, it seems like there's 3D printing topics scattered across the following forums:

Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables)
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michaelmurfy

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#3229800 13-May-2024 14:39

Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) is where many 3D printing discussions take place.

Just a few tips though:

https://teachingtechyt.github.io/calibration.html is a really good place to get started with Calibration. Teaching Tech (https://www.youtube.com/@TeachingTech) is a great YouTube channel with lots of information.

I personally purchase my filament from both https://marvle3d.co.nz/ and https://www.kiwifil.shop/ (really like Kiwifil filament) . An important note is filament quite often comes "wet" from the packaging where you may get some subpar prints so what I do is chuck the roll through a Filament Dryer then bag them up with a descendant packet: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006317621783.html

Good luck :) there's a few of us 3D printer enthusiasts around.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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amanzi

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#3229803 13-May-2024 14:55

Thanks - that would make a great stickied post in the 3D Printing forum... :-)

richms

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#3229816 13-May-2024 15:31

I would add to that:

You cant level a bed that has slop in it because the printer is flogged or poorly assembled, particularly if you are leaning on the bed or pushing the piece of notepaper under the nozzle making the bed deflect downwards.

Printers expand and contract. Preheat the bed and leave if for a while before levelling or printing, otherwise your second print will not work like the first.

Draft free area. Temperature controlled room but no aircon blast anywhere near the printers.

You cant trust that the provided temperatures on filament rolls have anything to do with what you set your printer too. Even "identical" printers will work better with a different temperature on the same filament because there is no calibration on the temperature sensing on them, and they will have different thermal conductivities to the nozzle.

Just because someone says that you are printing too hot or cold, doesn't mean that is the problem and you should try adjusting both ways and see how it improves. Temperature towers are useful.

Not all colours of the same vendor of filament will print the same and need the same settings.

Cheap nozzles are cheap for a reason. Swarf on the hole or an elongated opening will make the filament pull to one side and then one side of your print will look different to the other. If its not coming out of the nozzle in a nice clean straight round extrusion but is curling to one side then its either clogged or crap.

Print surfaces are a consumable, have spares, don't be afraid to change them when you think it needs it.

More retraction doesn't usually help.

Richard rich.ms

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#3229823 13-May-2024 15:43

Haha, I'm not new to 3D printing, but still learnt more in the two posts above me than many hours of reading forums or YT videos. Both replies are amazing wee nuggets of knowledge!