exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

Hello everyone,

I've got my MAKERBOT Replicator+ 3 delivered yesterday and unpacked it, gonna try to make my first print and see how it goes.


Not sure which filament to choose for this model - PLA (3DJAKE ecoPLA) or ABS (Zortrax Z-ABS). Any advice? I'm a newbie in 3d printing and I don't expect it to work at all at first.

PLA is supposed to be easier for getting started with.

I started with ABS because I enjoy pain

Hmmm, for overall strength pf the part I'd probably go with ABS, but if you don't care and just want to print it to try it out, then I'd go wit PLA.

However, if you're calibrating and doing a first print, I'd probably aim for a simpler object. My printer came with a calibration object to use.

Thanks for replies guys, i'll try it

3D printed gears are best done in Nylon.
ABS and PLA aren't suitable materials unless the gears are slow moving and then I would use PLA as ABS would wear out pretty fast, it's too pliable.

PaulJ_2.0 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2020 10:27 am 3D printed gears are best done in Nylon.
ABS and PLA aren't suitable materials unless the gears are slow moving and then I would use PLA as ABS would wear out pretty fast, it's too pliable.

Hmm interesting, I'd not considered nylon, but it makes a lot of sense.

I'm surprised ABS would be too pliable, all my encounters with ABS components (Though not necessarily 3d printed, usually injection moulded) have indicated a robust, hard plastic that is quite wear resistant.

Is it the 3d printing process the makes ABS too pliable? I'd be keen to learn more, as that's just not my experience of ABS.

Thanks.

rubber_jonnie wrote: ↑Wed Jan 22, 2020 12:33 pm Is it the 3d printing process the makes ABS too pliable? I'd be keen to learn more, as that's just not my experience of ABS.

ABS you can bend much easier than PLA and yes it's very robust, but if you have tried to sand it, you will notice it sands very easily, whereas PLA wont.
This makes it ok for low friction movements, but ABS will wear out quite quickly even in low friction.

Well I finally pulled the trigger and purchased a 3d printer. I know three people I used to work with all have the Makergear M2e and swear by it so I am following their lead. Haven't received it yet but need to get all the tools. Any suggestions? The recommended tool Simply3D looks a little pricy but has pretty good reviews. Most of the people I know who have the printers are mechanical engineers and use solid works which is a lot more than I want to deal with not to mention its price.

Kieran Stephenson wrote: ↑Tue Jan 21, 2020 12:33 pm Hello everyone,

I've got my MAKERBOT Replicator+ 3 delivered yesterday and unpacked it, gonna try to make my first print and see how it goes.
Not sure which filament to choose for this model - PLA (3DJAKE ecoPLA) or ABS (Zortrax Z-ABS). Any advice? I'm a newbie in 3d printing and I don't expect it to work at all at first.

So Kleran, you haven't posted in a while... how are your efforts proceeding?

@PaulJ I use Fusion360 educational license for the 3d modelling and then Cura for the slicing.

Start with some easy to print object using PLA+ is the best advice I can give and prepare for lots of failures at first.

Then once you're all dirted with that then get an auto bed levelled but make sure to manually level the bed by hand every so often.

I've upgraded my printer with better bed springs and better motor drivers and the quality improved no end but with every upgrade it means almost starting from scratch to achieve the quality you require again.

Good luck