which PEI surface to prefer?  

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Both are good. PEI Sticker has better adhesion but thinks stick too well sometimes. The TXT sheet has better durability in my opinion. If I had to pick one, I would buy the TXT and consider other later,

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

PC Textured sheet.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Follow-on question: Is the textured sheet worth the multi-week delay in shipping of the printer? I think the delay is around 3 weeks right now. Is it to be considered enough better than the sticker that one should be willing to accept an almost month-long delay? Thanks!

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

I found that prints stick better to the textured sheet and PETG pops off the plate once the sheet cools down, not like the sticker sheet where you pray the part does not rip the sheet off your plate when pulling it off. Then you have the look, I want the textured look 90% of the time.

If your not in a rush I would wait the 3 weeks and get the textured bed, you can always buy the smooth sheet.
But if you buy the printer with the smooth sheet you can not buy the textured sheet right now, I been waiting for a year to get the textured sheet and hell knows how much longer I will have to wait to get it.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

IMO the difference is primarily aesthetics of the one surface, and that's related to whether the bottoms of your prints will be exposed/showing, or... on the bottom, where no-one's going to notice/care anyway.

I don't know of any way to simulate that kind of texture on sides/tops of prints, though there may be a way... ❓

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

I found that prints stick better to the textured sheet and PETG pops off the plate once the sheet cools down, not like the sticker sheet where you pray the part does not rip the sheet off your plate when pulling it off. Then you have the look, I want the textured look 90% of the time.

If your not in a rush I would wait the 3 weeks and get the textured bed, you can always buy the smooth sheet.
But if you buy the printer with the smooth sheet you can not buy the textured sheet right now, I been waiting for a year to get the textured sheet and hell knows how much longer I will have to wait to get it.

My testing confirms this. Adherence is better for the PEI sheet and sometimes it is too much.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Follow-on question: Is the textured sheet worth the multi-week delay in shipping of the printer?
No way Jose! I want to have both on hand in fact. You can always use Hilbert Curve bottom layer pattern while raising Live-Z a touch to get a pretty 'textured' look sort of. Honestly, having two of everything is a great strategy to avoid the all too painful downtime that can occur.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Follow-on question: Is the textured sheet worth the multi-week delay in shipping of the printer?
No way Jose! I want to have both on hand in fact. You can always use Hilbert Curve bottom layer pattern while raising Live-Z a touch to get a pretty 'textured' look sort of. Honestly, having two of everything is a great strategy to avoid the all too painful downtime that can occur.

Concur.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

I also did some research before opting for the PC sheet choice. Delivery was much quicker than the 3 weeks quoted - 10 days to the UK.
So people claim the smooth PEI sheet is better, others are saying the powder coated sheet is the best, so it is difficult to make a judgement without trying it yourself.
However I am having some issues with lifting prints with PLA. Wish I had ordered the smooth sheet at the same time......
Texy.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

I will agree it depends on the the filament.

The PEI sheet is very “sticky”. I am hesitant to use it with some PETG for this reason. I rarely use Windex with it for his reason.

The textured PC rarely has this same problem.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Follow-on question: Is the textured sheet worth the multi-week delay in shipping of the printer? I think the delay is around 3 weeks right now. Is it to be considered enough better than the sticker that one should be willing to accept an almost month-long delay? Thanks!

I just got my MK3 with the textured PEI and it only took 4 days to ship after I placed the order. So the reality is that Prusa is actually able ship a lot faster then the website claims right now.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Wouldn't it be great if Prusa could supply a sheet with smooth PEI on one side, and powder coated on the other 😉

Texy

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

at the moment Texy, I would be pleased to by any prusa powder coated build plate!

it was one of the things I was looking forward to, in September 2017...

still haven't got one!

regards Joan

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

You would think as a moderator you would get some sort of perk.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

The most useful perk, to me, is the ability to delete my multiple posts, before most people see them! 😀

I got my MMUv2 after 369 days wait, on Monday...

regards Joan

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Be sure to report back on how you get on Joan.
Texy.

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

Follow-on question: Is the textured sheet worth the multi-week delay in shipping of the printer? I think the delay is around 3 weeks right now. Is it to be considered enough better than the sticker that one should be willing to accept an almost month-long delay? Thanks!

... 3 weeks? You make everyone happy who waits a year now for getting their PC sheet, if you opt for the smooth sheet. 😉

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

About a month+ ago when I got mine I went with the smooth stuck-on PEI because I didn't want to wait, and it's been just fine, but I kind of wish there was some way I could pre-order the textured one or something. But it looks like I just have to wait for general availability, even when logged in, there's no option to order https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3-printer-parts/214-powder-coated-spring-steel-sheet.html

(Edit: And I've used the smooth PEI with PETG quite a bit so far, just wiping with alcohol beforehand. It does stick pretty well, but I haven't damaged it yet. The key seems to be gentle and cool the sheet down all the way before attempting removal .. and for a scraper I use a plastic 'razor blade' scraper to avoid any damage. On occasion I've seen the sheet bubble up ever so slightly under where a part was removed, but after reheating next time that went away. I also print PETG on glass on my other printer, I guess I love breaking rules.)

Re: which PEI surface to prefer?

even when logged in, there's no option to order https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3-printer-parts/214-powder-coated-spring-steel-sheet.html

That is because they are not available for general orders.