Filament Recommendation for newbie  

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

If you live close to a Micro Center you can pick up rolls of Inland PLA for $15 and it's good stuff. If not, Hatchbox is a good bet and comes with accolades from the community. If you're looking for good quality filament you can look at Push Plastic but they run $30 a roll.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

3D Solutech is also great and in the cheap range. You can get their PLAs for $17.99 from Amazon and free shipping if you have prime.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

No experience with MH series, but Hatchbox PLA is definitely a good filament to start with. It was very forgiving and reliable for me so far.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

I've been very pleased with MatterHackers. I didn't expect them to match 2-day free shipping from Amazon. They've become my default source for mail-order materials.

Most of the brand-name filaments work well, so it's largely a question of price and convenience. I have been able to drop by a Microcenter locally, and can second the recommendation for Inland. Their PLA and PETG print quite nicely. My favorite for smoothness is AIO Robotics from Amazon. I've tried more expensive HTPLAs and "premium" brands, and can't say I saw a huge difference in print quality.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

I have had good luck with Microcenter Inland brand (amazon and microcenter website), hatchbox, esun, and makergeeks. I have bought one-offs of other brands and really have not had a problem with any of them.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

Hatchbox PLA has always worked well for me. You probably don't want to start with PETG as a newbie; first layer adhesion is *FAR* more fiddly than with PLA.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

I've printed a bunch with Hatchbox and it printed great.
Recently tried the 3d Solutech stuff and several rolls of the Inland stuff from Amazon.
All printed equally as well as the Hatchbox (including some glow-in-the-dark stuff).
All PLA that I've been using.

I'd recommend getting whichever of those you can get the cheapest and print the heck out of it with your new printer.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

In the US, I have settled on PETG from MakerGeeks over the past year for MK2s and MK3. Their Grab Bag is a good starter. $18/spool for 2, $15/spool for 4.

You specify material (ABS, PLA, PETG...) and whether you want solid or translucent. You can mix and match. They will determine the color but I have never been dissapointed. To fill specific stock (color) make sure to sign up for their email and you wil get 20% off coupons on a semi-regular basis.

https://www.makergeeks.com/products/maker-filament-grab-bag-2kg-44lbs?variant=47843253967

Ongoing, I teamed up with a buddy in town and we order 12 spools from time to time using the 20% coupon which brings the price to $14.79/spool. Free shipping, no tax, Made in USA.

Re: Filament Recommendation for newbie

If you live close to a Micro Center you can pick up rolls of Inland PLA for $15 and it's good stuff. If not, Hatchbox is a good bet and comes with accolades from the community. If you're looking for good quality filament you can look at Push Plastic but they run $30 a roll.
Some of the Inland exotics (aluminum and copper fill) are on sale for $5 per. 500g roll. That's 1/6 the price of most. Check 'em out if you haven't already.