Abused Prusament
In general, I'd say my handling of filament spools is "OK" I'm not the most OCD person out there, but I'm no Schlub either. (this story notwithstanding) I keep open spools in a sealable container with rechargeable desiccant. If I think it will be a while before I'll use a given spool again, I'll vacuum seal it with my food saver.
Today I pulled out a spool of Galaxy Black, that I hadn't used in a while and discovered that I had actually NOT vacuum sealed it. So it's been sitting naked in my dry(ish) box box all this time. Spool says it was manufactured December 2018! so it's been open probably a bit less than 2 years, but that' still pretty long, and it's still pretty full. "It's probably fine," I told myself. I was wrong. It's SO brittle, that it snapped off just trying to stick it in the extruder.
A while back I designed and printed an adapter to let me use my NESCO food dehydrator as a spool dehydrator. I didn't want to post the adapter design until I tested it, but I never got around to the testing. I think this is a pretty good torture test. It's currently sitting at 115ºF/45ºC. Anyone have any thoughts on if I should change the setting, or how long should I have it go? Anyone think trying to recover a spool that far gone is a bad idea?
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
RE: Abused Prusament
What was the approximate relative humidity where it was kept?
Some say that PLA can be left for some time without concern in most domestic environments.
If I were you, I would just do a simple test print to see how it works.
In any case, some time in the warm dehydrator should drive out any moisture.
RE: Abused Prusament
I keep any filaments that may sit out for more than a week in a Camera Cabinet to prevent humidity. You can also use silica beads and zip baggies.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Abused Prusament
What was the approximate relative humidity where it was kept?
...
If I were you, I would just do a simple test print to see how it works.
...
Relative humidity: My windows fog and drip, and my ceilings look like 101 Dalmatians.
...
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
RE: Abused Prusament
What was the approximate relative humidity where it was kept?
...
If I were you, I would just do a simple test print to see how it works.
...
Relative humidity: My windows fog and drip, and my ceilings look like 101 Dalmatians.
...
Really? I would have a talk with your landlord or is that a slumlord.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Abused Prusament
Just circling back for future readers. An overnight stay in my food dehydrator and the filament was good as new, and printed beautifully.
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
RE: Abused Prusament
@jmck
Good news. I have had a few rolls need this to print.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Abused Prusament
In general, I'd say my handling of filament spools is "OK" I'm not the most OCD person out there, but I'm no Schlub either. (this story notwithstanding) I keep open spools in a sealable container with rechargeable desiccant. If I think it will be a while before I'll use a given spool again, I'll vacuum seal it with my food saver.
Today I pulled out a spool of Galaxy Black, that I hadn't used in a while and discovered that I had actually NOT vacuum sealed it. So it's been sitting naked in my dry(ish) box box all this time. Spool says it was manufactured December 2018! so it's been open probably a bit less than 2 years, but that' still pretty long, and it's still pretty full. "It's probably fine," I told myself. I was wrong. It's SO brittle, that it snapped off just trying to stick it in the extruder.
A while back I designed and printed an adapter to let me use my NESCO food dehydrator as a spool dehydrator. I didn't want to post the adapter design until I tested it, but I never got around to the testing. I think this is a pretty good torture test. It's currently sitting at 115ºF/45ºC. Anyone have any thoughts on if I should change the setting, or how long should I have it go? Anyone think trying to recover a spool that far gone is a bad idea?
That's good because Galaxy Black comes in PETG, ASA, and PLA and at no time did you mention what type of filament this was, and it matters.
good Luck
Swiss_Cheese
The Filament Whisperer
RE: Abused Prusament
@swiss_cheese
Fair point. PLA.
Just trying to be helpful here. Abject apologies for missing the mark.
When someone asks you if you're a god, you say, "YES!"
RE: Abused Prusament
Just circling back for future readers. An overnight stay in my food dehydrator and the filament was good as new, and printed beautifully.
Good to know, thank you for the info.