Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.  

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

I have used Buildtak’s PEI sheets on their flexplates for over a year. I have one for PETG and one for PLA. Both sheets are still in use today. I print something every day, sometimes just a few hours sometimes for 50+ hours. I damaged Prusas PEI smooth sheet the second day I used it, and after a month I had several bits of it coming of it. There is no comparison IMHO.

Most people say PETG adheres “too good” on the smooth sheet, I’d like to say that the quality of the smooth sheet is bad. I really do like the textured one though.

https://www.buildtak.eu

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

I highly recommend Buildtak PEI: 3 Pack of Buildtak's PEI Sheets

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

I've been using the black Buildtak sheets on my cobbled together large printer for years.  I think I got the 3 pack 4 years ago and I still have one unused sheet.

When I got the Prusa I got a FYSETC 3D steel sheet that came with one PEI sheet, also got a spare PEI sheet made by Gizmo Dorks.  The steel sheet seems good quality with similar printing to the Prusa, took some time to apply the PEI and trim the edges but when done it worked fine for the few test prints I did.  Haven't tried the Gizmo Dorks PEI sheet yet.

I only applied PEI to one side of the steel sheet and covered the other with painters tape.  TPU sticks so darn strong to everything it's nice to have a disposable surface for that.   Also any tape that bonds to the TPU print and tears off the bed can be removed from the print with hot water and some scrubbing.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Ok-thanks. I will check these out!

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

@cwbullet

To use the buildtak PEI sheets, do you use the original Prusa spring steel and remove the PEI?

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Posted by: @dustin-7

@cwbullet

To use the buildtak PEI sheets, do you use the original Prusa spring steel and remove the PEI?

You can, but I prefer PrintedSolid's thinner and springier spring steel sheets. They're more like the Prusa textured sheet in thickness. The BuildTak steel sheet is thicker. All work well.

BuikdTak uses an adhesive that is easier to remove and replace. BuildTak PEI in a PrintedSolid sheet is ideal.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

I used to rate TheKKIINNGG rather high, but after trying Ultistik by FilamentOne, I have a new favorite.  

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

I have a spring steel build sheet from FYSETC, bought with a couple of PEI sheets that I applied myself. The build sheet is pretty good quality, but the stamped out holes had sharp edges, which I filed down. The PIE sheets work fine, but they are notably thinner than the one sold by Prusa. Not sure whether this translates into less longevity. But performance-wise the FYSETC PEI sheet works just as well.

Here is the item I bought:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32900495393.html

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

When people report on alternative sheets that they like, it would really help if they'd qualify the testimony by stating what kind of filament they're satisfied printing on it.  For instance, some surfaces work fine for PLA but have too tight a grip on PETG, so not knowing the filament that was used for testing/using the surface makes it hard to assess the recommendation.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

@dimprov

I have used all filaments on the Ultistik and TheKKIINNGG.  Which plate are you interested in a report.  I will write one and test prints on it.  

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Posted by: @cwbullet

@dimprov

I have used all filaments on the Ultistik and TheKKIINNGG.  Which plate are you interested in a report.  I will write one and test prints on it.  

I'm interested in how PETG performs, so whichever one you think performs better with PETG.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

@dimprov

I think PETG performs better on the Ultistik.  I will do an article by the end of the week.  You get less under or over adhesion.  

I recently purchased their black textured.   I have not tried it, but the gold has a premium performance.  

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Posted by: @bobstro

Posted by: @dustin-7

@cwbullet

To use the buildtak PEI sheets, do you use the original Prusa spring steel and remove the PEI?

You can, but I prefer PrintedSolid's thinner and springier spring steel sheets. They're more like the Prusa textured sheet in thickness. The BuildTak steel sheet is thicker. All work well.

BuikdTak uses an adhesive that is easier to remove and replace. BuildTak PEI in a PrintedSolid sheet is ideal.

I'd like to resurrect this thread.  I am going to try the BuildTak PEI stickers, but unfortunately the PrintedSolid bare steel sheet is unavailable at the moment. 

Since I have about 20 used and old Prusa PEI smooth sheets that have degraded or cracked PEI I'd like to try and use those steel sheets with the BuildTak PEI.  Is it possible to fully remove the old PEI from the Prusa steel sheet?  Or if the surface is still very smooth can I just put the BuildTax PEI on top of what's on the Prusa steel sheet?

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

After a bit of research it looks like removing the PEI from the Prusa sheet is possible with freezing, removing the top layer and then removing the glue with a solvent.  I'll give it try and see what happens.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

This MAY have worked with some plates in the past, but I can assure you that it does not work on a relatively modern Prusa smooth PEI build plate.

I wrote up this exercise in masochism here: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-hardware-firmware-and-software-help/re-skinning-a-prusa-steel-build-plate/

Posted by: @buckeyestargazer

After a bit of research it looks like removing the PEI from the Prusa sheet is possible with freezing, removing the top layer and then removing the glue with a solvent.  I'll give it try and see what happens.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Posted by: @jsw

This MAY have worked with some plates in the past, but I can assure you that it does not work on a relatively modern Prusa smooth PEI build plate.

I wrote up this exercise in masochism here: https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/original-prusa-i3-mk3s-mk3-hardware-firmware-and-software-help/re-skinning-a-prusa-steel-build-plate/

For the record, after freezing the Prusa smooth PEI plate for an hour the PEI sheet came off quite easily.  I pulled it off with my hands, in 1-3 pieces.  Then I used Xylol/Xylene and paper towels on the adhesive and let it soak for an hour.  I used a plastic scraper and removed the adhesive, again without too much trouble.  I had to soak the adhesive twice in order to get it all off but it actually came up rather easily.  I'm now using the BuildTak PEI sheet on one side of the Prusa plate and it is working great after several prints.  

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

Some of them may respond to freezing.  I do know that mine did not in any way.  YMMV.

Below is as far as I got after freezing, without using enough force to tear the material.

RE: Prusa PEI sheet alternatives.

You want to remove the old PEI. Was able to get one off with Limonene. Smelled great, but it was a mess to work with. I've heard Goo-Gone is easier. I can't say it was worth all the effort unless you're in a stubborn tinkerer mood. 

RE:

I would recommend doing this if and only if new or used build plates are no longer available anywhere in the known universe at any price!

It is not worth the hassle!

It's a royal pain in the @$$ and you are stuck with a quantity of toxic and flammable sludge that in most jurisdictions is difficult to legally dispose of.

Please see the thread I referred to above if you are even considering this!

On the other hand, I was recently able to salvage a (non-Prusa brand) PEI build plate which was scored by another user running the Live Z too low.  If this happens, it's probably not necessary to replace the PEI.  I was able to get it to a usable state with a sanding sponge and about 10 minutes of elbow grease.

Yesterday I printed a project box on it, and on the bottom, if you did not know that the slight 'image' is there, you would not notice it.  I'm printing a catbox scoop on it now and expect nothing to be visible.

Posted by: @bobstro

You want to remove the old PEI. Was able to get one off with Limonene. Smelled great, but it was a mess to work with. I've heard Goo-Gone is easier. I can't say it was worth all the effort unless you're in a stubborn tinkerer mood.