3d printer tools and consumables

[fractured]

I am looking to collect my printer kit on 4th Jan so hoping to have it up and running soon after that. The printer is a Prusa i3 Mk3s+

Looking into the using stage, could you folks offer advice on what kit and consumables to have to help with running the printer and making the prints usable.

My thoughts are;
I will need some basic, but possibly specific, tools for general maintenance etc.

A pair of side cutters. Will just a standard set be OK?

What chemicals etc for cleaning.

What oils etc for maintenance.

What items for cleaning/tidying up prints.

Will I need anything for print adhesion. I used pritstick in the past on a PEI print bed, (a Prusa i3 mk2.5 that I borrowed for a short while), but the new printer has a couple of removable sping steel sheets.

Materials are likely to be PLA, PETG, ABS, etc. Looking for usable prints rather than just models.

Also, where is good to buy consumables? So many suppliers of filament but no doubt some will be better than others. Whilst I need to be prudent on how I spend my money, I don't want to buy cheap gear that is hard to work with or create bad prints.

I will likely have some of the gear already in with my tools, so more a case of getting things together and cleaning the oil off! Consumables I will probably have to purchase.

Many thanks for your help.

Mick

 

[Agroshield]

Very close to the top of your list I think should be somewhere to keep the filament dry, e.g. a heavy duty ziplock bag and dessicant pouch.

 

[Dr.Al]

I think I've answered this on the other thread, but in case I missed anything...

A pair of side cutters. Will just a standard set be OK?

Standard set is fine, or just print the one I linked in the other thread (which uses those snap off knife blades you get everywhere)

What chemicals etc for cleaning.

Check out the sheet guides on prusa 3d. For the satin sheet and PETG (which is pretty much all I use). IPA wipe between every print, a quick wash with washing up liquid and water every now and again. That's it.

What oils etc for maintenance.

So far, all I've used is the grease that came in a little tube with the printer.

What items for cleaning/tidying up prints.

Deburring tool (link in the other thread) is the main one I use. Some pokey scrapy things are useful from time to time, but better to avoid supports and not have to worry about such things!

Will I need anything for print adhesion. I used pritstick in the past on a PEI print bed, (a Prusa i3 mk2.5 that I borrowed for a short while), but the new printer has a couple of removable sping steel sheets.

You might need pritt-stick for ABS, you won't need anything for PLA and PETG (assuming you've got the plain steel and satin sheets, otherwise look at the guides on prusa3d.com).

Also, where is good to buy consumables? So many suppliers of filament but no doubt some will be better than others. Whilst I need to be prudent on how I spend my money, I don't want to buy cheap gear that is hard to work with or create bad prints.

The Prusa seems to cope with any filament I've put through it (99% PETG, a little PLA). I mostly use this stuff as it's half the price of UK-supplier Prusament and it works really well. The prusament stuff is marginally better (occasional stringing with the cheaper stuff), but not enough that I've put any effort into tuning the printing profile (which should be straightforward).

 

[fractured]

Many thanks for the replies.
Dr AI, that filament looks a decent price - is it strong gear as I want to use it for working stuff? They are currently showing three colours so may get one of each. Do these store well?

 

[Dr.Al]

Many thanks for the replies.
Dr AI, that filament looks a decent price - is it strong gear as I want to use it for working stuff? They are currently showing three colours so may get one of each. Do these store well?

It's as strong as any other PETG. I only use the printer for functional stuff, hence printing everything in PETG.

I think PLA is stiffer, which has it's advantages in some situations, but PETG has a bit of flex & is less brittle (and hence will bend slightly rather than breaking) and so is much better for tool type applications. ABS is better for car things as it's got a higher melting point.

As for storage, left in the original package or stored in a vacuum pouch I think it'll pretty much last forever.

 

[ukracer]

Try www.3dprintz.co.uk . It's a guy called Thomas Hoof.

Personally I use www.3dqf.co.uk as it was all I could get during lockdown.
They now sell 2.85 diameter as well and are working on universal spools for use on bamboo.