Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed  

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

Removing prints can be tricky on the PEI sheets,

I got some types of filament that stick really hard, so I use a combination of different Tools depending on the material printed,

-Basic tool is a really sharp painters spatula wich I sharpen regularily, but U need to take care to always only sharpen the same side, to minimize bed usure whilst removing parts.
-Second tool is a really sharp cutter blade, wich I use to slip under corners to lift them slightly to then use the spatula.
-Third tool is patience 😛

but honestly, I don't think U will be able to use 1 PEI sheet for ever,... it will get cuts and scrapes or dents over time ...normal usage I guess ...

have fun printing 🙂
Serge

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I bought a painter's spatula (or maybe it is for plastering?), but the only ones I could find were metal with very sharp corners on either end of the blade. So I took that out to my shop and rounded the corners off with my grinder, then sanded them smooth. So I have a nice, crisp lifting edge along the blade, but the corners are rounded off so that I don't have to worry about scratching or lacerating the PEI.

I've never tried a knife for lifting up a corner--I usually use a slight chopping motion at the base of the print (where it is affixed to the bed) and keep at it until it cracks loose. I'm probably shortening the life of the PEI that way, but that's the best I've managed to figure out.

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

Just wondering what everyone is using to remove objects from the print bed. I've been using a small metal spatula although I put a indent in my PEI sheet today and want to prevent any future damage to the sheet.

I, too had tried a variety of tools, including a paint remover type of spatula. That tool had very sharp corners, and was quite stiff. I decided not to use it with my MK2. I saw a recommendation for this thin, narrow, flexible spatula with rounded corners. It has been working quite well, and as long as you don't angle it down into the PEI, it does not seem to scratch the bed. Remember, press against the model, not UNDER the model!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301808004513?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I use a very sharp decorators paint scraper to lift my prints. It works well for me, because I keep it sharp. It slides between the print and the PEI sheet well. I always insert at a low angle 😉

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

Here is my favorite tool to remove my prints off of the print bed. It is nice and sharp and it has rounded corners enough so that it won't damage the PEI sheet too much. There have been occasions I've bent it a bit, but it is decently durable.

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I've only had issues with PETG and FilaFlex, but that was before I figured out how to print them.
My first PETG prints was pretty much fused into the PEI Sheet and I had to apply some serious force to get it of.

I now print the first PETG layer almost in the air, and for FilaFlex I use the gluestick, this makes the prints pop off like PLA prints does.

Otherwise a really fine spatula is good, I bought this one since its a local company and I know the guys running the shop: https://www.creativetools.se/hardware/3d-printers-and-accessories/accessories/palettkniv

Any spatula will do the job. Sometimes I just use my huge diving knife, put the sharp edge of the blade onto the site of the print, roughly 5-10mm up (depending on how large your blade are hehe) the "dull" side of the blade onto the build plate and gives it a gentle "twitch". That makes the print pop off, or in some cases, lifts the site enough to get the spatula beneath the print there.

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I use a regular spatula and a razor blade spatula. The razor blade is just to get a solid object between the bed and the print (just few millimeters from its edge), then I move the regular spatula under the blade to further dislodge the print

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I've been using this one pretty successfully so far:

http://www.michaels.com/10010965.html#prefn1=brand&pmpt=qualifying&prefv1=Artists+Loft&start=8

I've printed a lot of PLA and a little PETG and I haven't had problems getting prints off since I got this tool. It's rounded, thin, and rests flat on the bed. Those seem to be the keys to avoiding big scratches; my previous tool (a larger spatula like you would use for applying spackle) was not good, and left some major scratches on the PEI.

After a while I've gotten very light scrapes all over the PEI sheet. I feel like they can't be avoided completely, but I can't say I've used any other print removal tool to compare. I've sanded the PEI before, and it helps with light scratches, but the deeper ones will stay.

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I have found in thingiverse one file named Nozyk.stl using working knife blade. Works perfectly.
have a look
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:961081

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

Thanks Guys! 🙂

Lots of stuff to consider I like the ones that ayouke suggested and miferr nice and thin and a good handle for leverage. Think i'll settle on one like this! 😀

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I use this spatula.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VB1U886/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's not clear from the picture but the part closer to the handle is thicker than the tip. I even sharpened the side of tip to allow it to get under the print more easily.

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I have found that when reducing the stickability of the part to the bed with a scraper or spatula, some parts undergo RRoR, which is a rapid rate of release. This can result in parts flying across the room. I experienced this only yesterday, after printing an Adalinda dragon for a friend. Adalinda decided to fly off the bed, unfortunately her landing was not so good and she broke a toe. As such I highly recommend a catching net 🙂

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I've tried many different tools, but the one that "ayourk" posted is the one I've found to work the best of all. I ordered from a different link, and received both the longer and short versions of the tool. Here's the link I used: https://smile.amazon.com/Foreasy-Printer-Removal-Enhanced-Version/dp/B01A81FXMK/ - You can't go wrong with it.

Chief

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I recognized the tools that are being suggested and thought I'd add a little information. The tools that are being called
3D print tools were originally called "pallet knives". Prices seem to go up when they're specified as 3D tools.
Here's a link to a set of pallet knives on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/US-Art-Supply-18-Piece-Palette/dp/B00PSOSAAU/ref=pd_sbs_201_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00PSOSAAU&pd_rd_r=3FP4J4ENNSYPMGDSPTMG&pd_rd_w=RU8mV&pd_rd_wg=9I9lQ&psc=1&refRID=3FP4J4ENNSYPMGDSPTMG

Enjoy,
Gary

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

This scraper works surprisingly well for me http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1608850

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I use ESD tweezers to lift up corners - not with the top, but with the back.
Mainly, i use this tweezer to remove filament from the noozle, but i found out, that you could nicly use the back to leverage (lever?) the corners. Just bought some more of these on eBay (from China; 6-10 different tweezers for ~4 €), works great 🙂

http://www.ebay.de/itm/6-x-Antimagneti-Pinzetten-Spitzpinzette-SMD-ESD-gerade-gebogen-anatomisch-/272369406710?hash=item3f6a7b52f6:g:2YAAAOSwgmJX0b67

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I recently bought this, works great:
http://www.gearbest.com/stationery-supplies/pp_326683.html

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

5 tools for $10:

EVINIS 5Pcs Stainless Steel Spatula Palette Knife Painting Mixing Scraper Set,3D Print Removal Tool
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DVYLJ3S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Re: Suggestion for a tool to remove from print bed

I love the "BuildTak BT30185 Spatula" that Amazon.com sells. Works great! I can pry it under the edges of a print and twist it a bit to pop a printout off the PEI, without damaging the PEI print surface.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017XGEDOM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1