Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
The stock flexible PEI sheet is good.
But if the first layer consists of difficult parts, e.g. thin lines, sharp turns, the PEI stick sheet is not 100% fool proof.
So I went back to glue stick and it worked very very well.
Here is my tips:
-draw vertical and horizontal lines on the sheet with glue stick. (you need to experiment to find out the optimal amount, I used too much for the first time)
-use a MOIST kitchen sponge (not dripping water, just moist) to spread the glue stick evenly.
-mop the surface with the sponge up and down to create a rough but even surface to increase the surface area.
-let it dry naturally or quicken with heated bed.
-Start your print.
And you don't need to apply glue stick every time. Just use a moist sponge to spread out the remaining glue again. It will work until all glue are gone.
The manual mentioned that glue stick can act as a protective film when printing PTEG or flex to prevent over-stickiness. So glue stick is nearly universally good.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
But why use a glue stick? A well-cleaned bed works very well.
Use a soft cloth and wash the steel plate with water and detergent for the hand disk. Rinse and dry the plate.
Then do not bring your fingers on the cleaned plate. Fingerprints on the steel sheet cause the filament to not stuck properly.
For PETG I use Windex which works excellent (if the bed was cleaned properly)
Wash the steel sheet again when you change filament.
Bear MK3 with Bondtech extruder
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
Yes, a cleaned bed work very well, no doubt.
Just wanted to share my experience in 1% special cases where a cleaned bed is not enough.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
I was going to ask if people happily wash their sheets under the tap to remove the glue or just wipe them with a damp cloth. This cleared it all up for me. Thanks. Hopefully washing with water won't rust them over time. I'm guessing that the main thing to be sure of when switching from PETG to PLA is to make sure the bed is cleaned thoroughly.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
I agree with the opening post, sometimes a bit of help is necessary. I've been printing some large parts recently with a lot of support structure. Sometimes tiny zig-zags are generated by the slicer that can be a nightmare to stick. Applying a bit of glue stick has helped in these situations as has using a raft if I'm really struggling. Using these techniques isn't something to be ashamed of or ridiculed.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
I keep an 1800 grit micro mesh pad next to my printer, every couple of weeks I give the bed a light scrubbing (I go over the sheet very thoroughly, I just don't apply a lot of pressure), then wipe with acetone, then IPA, only time I have to clean in-between is if I have touched the bed removing a print, then I use IPA only.
I have no issues getting large prints or fine support zig zags etc to stick & I do print a lot.
Just offering an alternative to glue for those having adhesion issues (I don't like using glue stick, too messy for me)
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
The stock flexible PEI sheet is good.
But if the first layer consists of difficult parts, e.g. thin lines, sharp turns, the PEI stick sheet is not 100% fool proof.
So I went back to glue stick and it worked very very well.
Here is my tips:
-draw vertical and horizontal lines on the sheet with glue stick. (you need to experiment to find out the optimal amount, I used too much for the first time)
-use a MOIST kitchen sponge (not dripping water, just moist) to spread the glue stick evenly.
-mop the surface with the sponge up and down to create a rough but even surface to increase the surface area.
-let it dry naturally or quicken with heated bed.
-Start your print.
And you don't need to apply glue stick every time. Just use a moist sponge to spread out the remaining glue again. It will work until all glue are gone.
The manual mentioned that glue stick can act as a protective film when printing PTEG or flex to prevent over-stickiness. So glue stick is nearly universally good.
What brand of glue stick do you recommend? Kores is a bit hard to come by here in the USA (unless you're willing to wait for slow shipments from India).
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
In fact I just use the one come with the kit.
I think you don't need very fancy one.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
What brand of glue stick do you recommend? Kores is a bit hard to come by here in the USA (unless you're willing to wait for slow shipments from India).
Elmer's All-Purpose Glue Stick
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
I found for Colorfabb XT CF-20 I have to revert to blue painter's tape as a sacrificial layer.
The carbon fiber sticks to well to the PEI I've torn both sides removing prints. While BPT isn't as reliable, I don't want my house to stink of limonine.
Re: Don't be ashamed of using GLUE STICK
What brand of glue stick do you recommend? Kores is a bit hard to come by here in the USA (unless you're willing to wait for slow shipments from India).
I use Elmer's Disappearing Purple. When it turns clear, it's ready to go! Here's an Amazon link if you want to stock up: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXO4L2/
I use that mostly as a separation layer for copolyesters and for PLA prints that have minimal bed contact (just in case). It has the added benefit of turning purple again when you moisten it, so it's pretty easy to tell when you've gotten most of it off the bed.