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First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:02 pm
by DavidF
So I was out today at the auto parts store and saw some blue weed wacker line, well im sure you can guess what im doing right now.....
I loaded it in and just hit the go button a moment ago. Its laying down the first layer now...so far so good... Ill post pictures of whatever comes out shortly.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:33 pm
by DavidF
well its popping and spitting and looks like spit....im guessing the filament is very wet, or maybe im running it too hot?? 245C
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:47 pm
by DavidF
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 9:08 pm
by Captain Starfish
Time to get it in the oven and dry out overnight maybe?
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:21 pm
by Nylocke
I print a lot of ACE/STIHL brand trimmer line, I just put it in the oven for an hour or so at 220ish and it dries out nicely. Its rather important that you dry it out as you can see, my prints improve ten fold (as well as retracts).
What material are you printing on? Looks like you're getting some warping? Or was that after you removed the parts? I would advise against printing on glass with Nylon, as the last time I did it the warpage of the Nylon caused the sheet to crack. I for a while printed on a sheet of wood with mixed results, but I ordered a sheet of garolite from E3d and Ive only done a few prints on it but it sticks like glue. I actually keep the brim enabled to assist in removing the part

Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:29 pm
by DavidF
There was some warpage, and I was printing on glue stick. Ill try drying it out and see what happens. The print itself seems as tough as it is ugly, but I could do without the ugly...
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:42 pm
by Nylocke
If you want to go the glue stick route Scotch Permanent glue stick works well with Nylon, but thats about all that works. With some smaller parts like the one you had there it should be alright, but if you start to get around 4-5" diameter 1-2" tall or larger you might run into issues.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 10:50 pm
by Tinyhead
DavidF wrote:well its official...the ugliest print I have ever done....
I actually laughed pretty good at this. It is pretty rough looking.
At least you're trying something new. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Edit: No disrespect in any way. I've had far worse on my build plate.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2014 11:14 pm
by DavidF
Tinyhead wrote:DavidF wrote:well its official...the ugliest print I have ever done....
I actually laughed pretty good at this. It is pretty rough looking.
At least you're trying something new. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Edit: No disrespect in any way. I've had far worse on my build plate.
No offense taken, I have a good laugh myself when things come out ugly.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 4:54 pm
by Eaglezsoar
DavidF, what temperature was your HotEnd at when you printed that?
It really doesn't look that bad. Just some tweaking or drying should fix it.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 6:17 pm
by DavidF
Eaglezsoar wrote:DavidF, what temperature was your HotEnd at when you printed that?
It really doesn't look that bad. Just some tweaking or drying should fix it.
It was at 245c, but is seemed like I could have printed it much much cooler...????
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:32 pm
by Eaglezsoar
DavidF wrote:Eaglezsoar wrote:DavidF, what temperature was your HotEnd at when you printed that?
It really doesn't look that bad. Just some tweaking or drying should fix it.
It was at 245c, but is seemed like I could have printed it much much cooler...????
I'm not sure what the best temp is for that line trimmer nylon, that's why I asked.
There are a few that print with it a lot, maybe they could chime in.
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:25 am
by Nylocke
On my E3d I was going around 250-260 if I remember correctly. I was printing kinda fast though, 80mm/sec Cura speeds, which seems to be significantly faster than Slic3r. Basically with Nylon you wanna get it right to the point where you get good layer adhesion and not too much hotter. If its too cool, it won't stick to itself (even if it seems to extrude fine).
Re: First trimmer line print
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 1:15 pm
by Eaglezsoar
Nylocke wrote:On my E3d I was going around 250-260 if I remember correctly. I was printing kinda fast though, 80mm/sec Cura speeds, which seems to be significantly faster than Slic3r. Basically with Nylon you wanna get it right to the point where you get good layer adhesion and not too much hotter. If its too cool, it won't stick to itself (even if it seems to extrude fine).
Thanks for the tip!