RE: What to print with?
Most of the PLAs that I have used on the Prusa, including Amazon Basics, work just fine with the default 'generic PLA' settings. (Ditto for ABS and PETg with respective generic settings.)
I've ordered my printer, but it's not due to ship until "within a week of 6/13." I haven't started on the manuals yet because many times I find it confusing if I don't have something in front of me while reading the manual. (I need to be able to touch the controls and see everything as I read about it.) When you talk about default "generic PLA settings," do you mean those are included somewhere in the print settings or are you referring to the general defaults most people would use for particular materials?
If you are getting the kit version, I would STRONGLY recommend that you begin RTFM-ing now, including the comments.
Mine was, IIRC, about two weeks lead time, and I'm very glad that I dug right in and got familiar with how things were supposed to go together, and the issues that others ran into.
Ditto. I think I mentioned this in another thread.
I totally understand not getting into the manual until you have something you can touch; that’s typical for me as well. And I would say you can leave reading the PrusaSlicer manual for when you’ve got the software installed and are ready to dig in. Although there’s no reason not to install PrusaSlicer now to begin to familiarize yourself with the interface and the controls, as well as the language and references that are used in the forums.
The build manual is a different story. Start reading through the online build manual, including all the comments. There is a wealth of real world user information in the pages that is absolutely worth investing time in before the printer arrives. There are areas where a user points out that it’s easier to do step 9 before step 6 (for example), but if you haven’t pre-read step 9 and the comments in advance, you’ll miss that nugget and go ahead with step 6.
There’s a lot to learn. Have fun and enjoy the build!
RE: What to print with?
Brand is called KiwiFil, made here in NZ from virgin pellets
Maybe try brand with more experienced pellets ? 🙃
I actually did, they also do a recycled PLA... 😉
RE: What to print with?
Brand is called KiwiFil, made here in NZ from virgin pellets
Maybe try brand with more experienced pellets ? 🙃
I actually did, they also do a recycled PLA... 😉
🤣 👍
The Filament Whisperer
RE: What to print with?
No special settings, but be careful which colours you choose: Yellow behaves absolutely fine and prints like a champ with „Generic PLA“ settings, while e.g. Silver stubbornly refuses to stick. A friend of mine bought the „metal color bundle“ (silver, copper, gold iirc) and had very poor experience with those as well. Red seems to be picky in terms of temperature/z height/print bed cleaning status (could not pinpoint it so far) and Green seems mostly okay.
Of course it can always relate to a certain production batch and that risk is increased with cheap filament. But I have only positive things to say about the yellow Amazon Basics PLA filament (and about the translucent-red PETG from Amazon Basics btw.), which is why I can fully recommend that for the first steps.
RE: What to print with?
I did a search for 'amazon basics metal color bundle' and what came up was a three-pack (copper, silver, gold) of Mika3d metallics which I've used for a couple of years now.
Yes, these specific filaments are one of a very few where I've had better luck adjusting the default parameters, in this case, goosing the nozzle temperature 5-10 degrees C to avoid occasional extruder jams. They do stick just fine (at least for me) on both the smooth and textured plates at the usual 60C temperature.
Some folks consider metallics to be tricky to print. To get the sheen, manufacturers will usually add a foaming agent, and one obvious result is the expansion of the bead as it is extruded. The metallic pigment along with the foaming agent may indeed cause these filaments to behave differently depending on circumstances.
The Amazon Basics I've had most experience with are the neutrals, such as black, white, gray.
I've used these quite a bit on both the Prusa and the Ultimaker, and they have always printed just fine using the defaults with both PS (210/215C) and Cura (195/205C) giving me the impression that there's some tolerance in there for good results.
A couple of years ago I also got a sample pack from Amazon Basics in the form of loose coils, and those all printed just fine at the default temperatures and parameters.
RE: What to print with?
Amazon basics is not a bad brand. I think it is made by another major manufacturer.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE:
I for one print with stuff from manufacturer brands, not private label stuff. Private labels may technically qualify as a "brand", too, but I don't know the original manufacturer of the filament and thus do not expect a consistent quality allowing continued printing with fixed parameters and results. I don't believe Amazon is a filament maufacturer. I stay with Spectrum from Poland which I have come to trust in over three years across their portfolio.
Cheers
Chris
I try to give answers to the best of my ability, but I am not a 3D printing pro by any means, and anything you do you do at your own risk. BTW: I have no food for…
RE: What to print with?
Amazon basics is not a bad brand. I think it is made by another major manufacturer.
My guess is that yes, it's made by one or more of the better-known manufacturers, but that not all of it is necessarily made by the same manufacturer, and likewise, a type or color may change manufacturer when the current contract expires.
As to speculation, I'm very sure that none of the Amazon Basics is Solutech.
It could be (some of them, anyway) Hatchbox, since the black and white PLAs are dead ringers, but again, they could be Overture, as those are similar. Again, it could be any of various smaller or foreign brands. What I care about is how it prints and how it looks.
RE: What to print with?
I suspect that Hatchbox and Polymaker make filaments under other manufacturing names. I am sure there are others. I suspect that multiple “manufacturers” or “suppliers” have a common connection.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: What to print with?
Amazon basics is not a bad brand. I think it is made by another major manufacturer.
My guess is that yes, it's made by one or more of the better-known manufacturers, but that not all of it is necessarily made by the same manufacturer, and likewise, a type or color may change manufacturer when the current contract expires.
I would even dare the guesstimation that Amazon has different suppliers depending on the region of the world the customer is in. "Local" suppliers mean less logistic costs and faster delivery. Product prices will be pretty similar, irrespective of actual supplier, due to Amazons order amounts.
RE: What to print with?
I suspect that Hatchbox and Polymaker make filaments under other manufacturing names. I am sure there are others. I suspect that multiple “manufacturers” or “suppliers” have a common connection.
One of the major difference between quality brand filament and no-name filament is probably the pellet lottery. I guess there's only a handful of companies to supply the global market with pellets. The differences then come from QC of the filament producer and whether they have long-term contracts or buy at the "spot market". 2nd class pellets (moisture, plastic recipe etc.) are obviously cheaper - as are spot market pellets with questionable history.
No-name brands may also purchase worn filament machines from quality makers. They cost a lot less than new machines, so the filament can be offered cheaper - but the tolerances are bigger, as the machines are already in their second life. And no-name filament is probably also produced at higher speeds (to get more out of the door and distribute the cost over a bigger amount), which is not helpful for filament quality - especially on worn machinery.