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Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:43 pm
by greybeard
I don't often check or replace the desiccant. Mostly, I use Rice along side it (in Tea Bags).
I've never had trouble with ABS and have been using PETG for only a short while - no problems (except for tweaking print process to eliminate strings).
I just installed (this week) a new V6-all-metal Hot-End to further develop a good process for PETG...
PLA generally starts breaking shortly after it sits for a couple of days. There are many posts on net about this issue - some bake it in oven... some do other things... I tend to not fuss about it and toss out about 1 meter before printing.
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 2:47 pm
by wirlybird
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 3:33 pm
by dkightley
Where am I going wrong???
I have had both of my printers sitting idle for the best part of seven weeks as I've been otherwise occupied assisting the legal process.....and they're both printing PLA off the three quarter full spools that have been sitting on the printers all that time....and they're both printing perfect prints! No stringing, no blobs, no anything!
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:07 pm
by SWCNT
A few days doesn't sound right. For me PLA (Hatchbox) is usually good for about 6 months at 40% relative humidity (no storage). What brand of PLA are you using? I've never had much of an issue with PLA, but PETG has given me many issues with water absorption. I've gotten new reels (Hatchbox and eSun) that would hiss and pop immediately they were so wet. I spent over a year sourcing PETG for a project because I had so many issues with quality control from PETG manufacturers. There's a lot of shady additive stuff going on with PETG that isn't discussed in any reviews, people just blame the printer/software/settings, etc.
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:24 pm
by dkightley
I get my PLA from Rigid Ink. Not the cheapest.....but its good! 1.75mm dia 1Kg at £32GBP
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:24 pm
by greybeard
Hum..
First, I live in Oregon USA where it rains alot but, humidity is not exceedingly high.
I often leave the filament (PLA ABS and PETG) on the machine in ziploc's. I find the PLA breaks at every 5 inches if not using it or, is too old.
Generally, I just cut the first meter before using it.
I've tried many brands but always comeback to eSun.
Today, with about 1/4 spool of PLA on the machine and breaking, I baked it in oven at 170ºF 1 hr. Been printing now for 1 hr without breaking.
By the way, a 40W incandescent light bulb in the storage box works perfect - removes all moisture. Trouble is, once back on the machine and hanging around a few weeks, snap, crackle pop!
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 6:45 am
by wirlybird
greybeard wrote: ↑Thu Sep 20, 2018 5:24 pm
Hum..
First, I live in Oregon USA where it rains alot but, humidity is not exceedingly high.
I often leave the filament (PLA ABS and PETG) on the machine in ziploc's. I find the PLA breaks at every 5 inches if not using it or, is too old.
Generally, I just cut the first meter before using it.
I've tried many brands but always comeback to eSun.
Today, with about 1/4 spool of PLA on the machine and breaking, I baked it in oven at 170ºF 1 hr. Been printing now for 1 hr without breaking.
By the way, a 40W incandescent light bulb in the storage box works perfect - removes all moisture. Trouble is, once back on the machine and hanging around a few weeks, snap, crackle pop!
If PLA is breaking it generally means it is getting a bit "wet", I know, doesn't make sense.
The translucent's seem to be more prone to this. I get it mostly with Hatchbox.
I can usually leave PLA on my machines and just cut a foot off or so and they are fine. ABS sucks up the moisture a little more then PLA.
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2018 3:30 pm
by cybrsage
You can also use a rechargeable desiccant device like this one from Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H ... _cr_x__a_w
I keep one in a weatherproof storage bin I bought at Target, it has a seal on the lid to keep out moisture.
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 3:22 am
by demetriualston
Thanks Greybeard, for sharing your idea with the picture. It helped me also.
Pegboards
Re: Filament Storage
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:55 pm
by greybeard
Geeks are always tweaking…
I had an idea for a bread proofing (raising) bin and was so pleased with results that I transferred the idea to storing filament.
Simple concept: use a Mr. Coffee mug warmer in large tote for filament!
Photo attached:
It’s on a timer (On 1 hr, Off 1 hr).
Mr. Coffee uses 17 watts. So, that’s 204 Watts for 12 hr’s of On time. At $0.15/kW, the cost to run it is insignificant.
It keeps the box at < 45% humidity and I haven’t seen broken filament in months