RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

I do think PLA would give you best results.  I would print it slow and the best resolution.  

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

I would switch to a .25mm nozzle.  Orient them so the top surface is the open edge so there is no need to support the "ceiling".  I would try with 0.15mm, 0.1mm and 0.05mm layer heights to see which works better; I've generally had better luck with 0.15 or 0.10 instead of 0.05, but that might be because I haven't dialed in my printer enough yet.

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Posted by: charles.h13

I do think PLA would give you best results.  I would print it slow and the best resolution.  

Sense of humor ON

Translated for ease of 10 Y/O understanding.

Run Prusa Slicer and set it to the BEST resolution @ .05 ULTRADETAIL MK3, PLA, Original Prusa i3 MK3S

Import EACH block one at a time and slice/export each one at a time.  Then clear Slicer of STL.  Repeat for each block.

Copy all files to the included SDHC card

Insert SDHC into Printer.

Load desired filament, Select Print from SD, unload filament repeat for each block.

That should get you there.

Sense of humor off.

RAH

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Where do I buy this .25 nozzle... from Prusa or Amazon, etc?

Thanks.

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

.4 should do fine

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Do this nozzle print better than the standard nozzle that comes with the Kit?

Hardened steel E3D V6 Nozzle

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Posted by: fischer_brett_

Where do I buy this .25 nozzle... from Prusa or Amazon, etc?

Prusa sells them. You may have to log in to view items in the estore. You can also buy E3D V6 nozzles from many resellers.

A smaller nozzle is going to be useful when you have details in the horizontal XY plane that are too fine for the default 0.40mm nozzle to pick out. If your prints don't have small details, a smaller nozzle is going to greatly increase print times to no real benefit. Use as small a nozzle as you need, but no smaller!

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

In the case of the PRICO boxes... do you see the need for the .25 nozzle?

They don't have much detail, other than the edges having radiuses (approx. 1/16"R)

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

What are some good online stores (in the USA) to buy the nozzle if needed?

I'm wanting to avoid excessive shipping fees!

Thanks.

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Yeah, if you don't have a .25 nozzle, try it with the normal .4 nozzle first.  It will work fine.  It was my mistake reading your initial post.  You said the walls were .25", and I glossed past the inches and interpreted it as mm.  With .25 mm walls, the .25 mm nozzle would produce much better results.  🙂   At .25", that won't be an issue.  Sorry for the confusion!  

But to answer your question:  if you decide to get a .25" nozzle because you want to be able to do finer detail prints, then you can buy them in a number of places.  Prusa sells them, but their shipping fee is outrageous since they charge the same for small, very light parts (nozzles, replacement PTFE tubes) as they do for larger, heavier items.  I bought my .25mm nozzle direct from the E3D website.  While it came from the UK, their international postal delivery for very light items was maybe 1-2 dollars, which I was fine with.  I have since found resellers on Amazon who sell (or claim to sell) genuine E3D parts.  If you find one that looks trustworthy, I'd recommend that.  Or there are a lot of knock-off nozzles by other manufacturers on Amazon, often for very low prices, but I don't trust their quality.  If I'm using a .25 nozzle, its because I want to maximize print quality, so why risk it for a few dollars savings? 

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

First you need to explain what "best quality" for you means. Best in structural terms? Best in visual terms? Best in handling terms?

For me 0.4 nozzle with 0.2 layer height can look already pretty damn good with the right filament (depending on the model size). I think 4" is big enough for that. I would recommend you to try that first. You can go always smaller/higher resolution and compare the results.

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Posted by: lindharin

[...]  I bought my .25mm nozzle direct from the E3D website.  While it came from the UK, their international postal delivery for very light items was maybe 1-2 dollars, which I was fine with.  I have since found resellers on Amazon who sell (or claim to sell) genuine E3D parts. 

MatterHackers and PrintedSolid are E3D resellers in the US. Both have free shipping options (may depend on order size). P3-D also sells quality E3D-compatible nozzles in the US. I find their Apollo series very good.

If you find one that looks trustworthy, I'd recommend that.  Or there are a lot of knock-off nozzles by other manufacturers on Amazon, often for very low prices, but I don't trust their quality.  If I'm using a .25 nozzle, its because I want to maximize print quality, so why risk it for a few dollars savings? 

Anybody looking for better quality cheap nozzles should look at TriangleLabs on AliExpress. I still prefer genuine E3D or P3-D, but these are pretty good for knock-offs.

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

The Trianglelabs and Mallow nozzles are awesome!

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

the steel nozzles are good if you are printing abrasive filament ( metal , wood or glow in the dark), otherwise a plain brass nozzle is probably better

RE: PLA -- best settings for best results?

Posted by: charles.h13

The Trianglelabs and Mallow nozzles are awesome!

Have not seen Mallow. Will look for those, thanks.