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Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Stringing test

Here is my first print. I am a new user sooooo did i pass the test 😆 😆 ? Btw i didn't except the tops to be that perfect. There are no blobs on them.

Posted : 25/07/2021 7:40 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
RE: Check for moisture in filament

Your print looks good, but the fine stringing can be dealt with. If you're not aware, filament can absorb moisture. Moisture in filaments can definitely contribute to that sort of fine stringing. Even PLA, although not as hygroscopic as some filaments, can absorb moisture quickly in the right environmental conditions. We're having rainforest-like weather here in New England and it's definitely an issue this year. You might try another spool or try drying out your current spool before making any changes to your printer or slicer settings. 

There are several filament dryers available, or you can make one fairly easily out of a cheap food dehydrator. 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 8:59 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
R

Thank you for the information. The thing is that i have this filament opened since yesterday and it is in my house which has less than 40% humidity. Can it really absorb so much moisture that quickly even though it isn't hygroscopic? Also i am a new user and tomorrow i will receive the filaments i ordered. Now i am with the one included in the box.

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:07 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
It really depends on environmental factors
Posted by: @angelsvenom

Thank you for the information. The thing is that i have this filament opened since yesterday and it is in my house which has less than 40% humidity. Can it really absorb so much moisture that quickly even though it isn't hygroscopic? Also i am a new user and tomorrow i will receive the filaments i ordered. Now i am with the one included in the box.

It can in a few days. Here's a link to a post I recently made showing the extremes over 4 days. I had started printing a spool of PLA with no issues and over a few days, the stringing got progressively worse until I dried the spool out. I've had minor issues, but this was the first time I experienced such a rapid change while doing one batch of prints.

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:19 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
-

So the only cause of the stringing is moisture? If i want to dry the filament in an oven, what temperature should i choose and for how much time?

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:22 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Don't use an oven!
Posted by: @angelsvenom

So the only cause of the stringing is moisture? If i want to dry the filament in an oven, what temperature should i choose and for how much time?

No, it's not the only cause. However, Prusa filament used with Prusa profiles or gcode samples doesn't usually produce that stringing, so it's a likely culprit. In general, don't try using a normal oven. The temperature regulation is poor and they usually don't go low enough to reliably dry PLA. (Plus somebody might get hungry and ruin your spool.) I'm only suggesting that you wait for your new filament and try again before you start making wholesale changes to your printer or settings.

After eliminating the filament from consideration, I have a bunch of notes on how I eliminated fine stringing here that might be of interest.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:30 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
-

Well, as i was informed in another post, the filaments which comes bundled with the printer is made from "filament pm" and not prusa. So it could be just that it is not a good enough filament. I'll check your article. Thank you.

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:34 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Filament PM is fine, but find an affordable and reliable local source
Posted by: @angelsvenom

Well, as i was informed in another post, the filaments which comes bundled with the printer is made from "filament pm" and not prusa. So it could be just that it is not a good enough filament. I'll check your article. Thank you.

Filament PM is good stuff. They produced Prusa's filaments before Prusa moved production in-house. I'm sure Prusa would have dumped them by now if it was problematic. Unfortunately, Filament PM is a pain to get in the US and shipping is outrageous. Find a good supplier in your area and stick with 'em. If you're in the US, I have a list of suppliers I've used here. If you are in the US and happen to have a Microcenter nearby, their Inland brand is decent stuff.

 

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:37 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
R

So it is moisture or i have to check the article you provided. Thank you very much for your replies.

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:40 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Hard to say for sure...
Posted by: @angelsvenom

So it is moisture or i have to check the article you provided. Thank you very much for your replies.

I can't say from here. I can say that trying another spool or drying the current spool would be a quick way to test. It would be a shame to make a whole bunch of changes and go down a rabbit hole over a simple filament issue. Get ahold of a different spool, or check out a filament dryer (you'll want one eventually). I know it's frustrating starting out. Your print looks very good otherwise though and you don't want to screw that up. Be patient!

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:44 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
.

Yes i understand. Thank you. About the filament dryer, do you have any recommendations? Is it gonna work with just a bag with a zipper and a silica gel inside it or i need a active solution?

Posted : 25/07/2021 9:47 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Many options for dryers
Posted by: @angelsvenom

Yes i understand. Thank you. About the filament dryer, do you have any recommendations? Is it gonna work with just a bag with a zipper and a silica gel inside it or i need a active solution?

I was gifted a (somewhat overpriced) PrintDry v1 and quite like it. I've read good things about v2. Search these forums for info about the Gourmia and others that can hold 6-9 spools at a time if you don't mind spending a bit more. There are Sunlu and others that are often on sale. They're dead-simple devices, so don't spend too much. I store the dried spools in 2 gallon Ziploc freezer bags with a fresh packet of desiccant and that generally avoids the problem.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 10:04 pm
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
R

So the bag isn't the solution but a avoidance measure. I see, thank you.

Posted : 25/07/2021 10:06 pm
bobstro
(@bobstro)
Illustrious Member
Correct
Posted by: @angelsvenom

So the bag isn't the solution but a avoidance measure. I see, thank you.

That is correct. Desiccant can absorb small amounts of moisture to keep it off your filament in a bag, but it can't dry filament that has absorbed moisture.

 

My notes and disclaimers on 3D printing

and miscellaneous other tech projects
He is intelligent, but not experienced. His pattern indicates two dimensional thinking. -- Spock in Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan

Posted : 25/07/2021 10:43 pm
ssill2
(@ssill2)
Noble Member
Print dry for the win

Swiss cheese encouraged me to get a print dry and I can’t recommend it enough.

Posted : 26/07/2021 12:37 am
jsw
 jsw
(@jsw)
Famed Member
title here

I made a makeshift filament dehydrator out of one of my existing dryboxes.

Shortly after that we got an air fryer with a dehydrate mode, so I've used that instead.

Posted : 26/07/2021 1:03 am
cwbullet
(@cwbullet)
Member
print dry

 

Posted by: @ssill2

Swiss cheese encouraged me to get a print dry and I can’t recommend it enough.

Concur.  Print dry is awesome.  I think they have another winner:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/730230926/smart-vacuum-filament-containers-by-printdry

--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog

Posted : 26/07/2021 1:42 am
Angel'sVenom
(@angelsvenom)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
.

Thank you very much, all of you. 

Posted : 26/07/2021 9:34 am
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