3D printer

[Bitsyncmaster]

Well the covid has caused a shortage of isopropyl alcohol (IPA). You use IPA to wash the parts after you print them. The print is covered with liquid resin when you remove it. I ran out of my 4 gallon last order and now the only source is Ebay guys who have marked it up 3 to 4 times.

I also found out my printer updates have changed the size of my hex cutout about 1% smaller so I had to modify my print file for the gear ball since I last printed it.

I've been thinking of getting a "filament" type printer to play with. That type can't do the gear ball but would be able to do larger prints not needing the fine resolution of my liquid resin printer.

[megamanex]

You can switch to TPM and not spend a fortune.

https://support.formlabs.com/s/artic...language=en_US

[Bitsyncmaster]

You can switch to TPM and not spend a fortune.

https://support.formlabs.com/s/artic...language=en_US

Interesting. Does it work better than IPA? I don't think the IPA works that well. I use my flux cleaner as a final wash which works good but you can't keep that in the wash machine because it evaporates very quickly. Can you buy TPM locally?

[megamanex]

It works quite a bit better and lasts longer without as much evaporation. It does need a rinse off in water after. I’m not sure where to source it locally.

[megamanex]

https://forum.formlabs.com/t/alterna...ution/25471/54

[Bitsyncmaster]

I tried and can not find anyone to sell TPM except in small quantities for high dollar amounts. You need at least 2 gallons to replace the washer IPA.

[megamanex]

It's a bit expensive but it lasts about 4 times longer so when you do the math on the cost of the IPA it about evens out. Before the quarantine it was about $95 dollars for me to get 3 gallons of medical grade 99 percent isopropyl shipped.

[Bitsyncmaster]

It's a bit expensive but it lasts about 4 times longer so when you do the math on the cost of the IPA it about evens out. Before the quarantine it was about $95 dollars for me to get 3 gallons of medical grade 99 percent isopropyl shipped.

I found a company that can ship IPA in a few weeks. I did pay $99 plus a lot for shipping (Hazmat) for 4 gallons last time. Now I paid $220 for 5 gallons ($70 of that is shipping). All of them have increased the price because of the demand.

Where do you buy the TPM?

[megamanex]

I get the TPM in bulk so it costs me around $660 for a whole setup. I have to call the supplier direct.

DPM is a cheaper, easier available alternative but it leaves behind a cloudiness that gasses out over time.

It's about $34 a gallon.

https://www.chemworld.com/DiPropylen...oaAqvaEALw_wcB

[Bitsyncmaster]

I'm working on printing an HVAC faceplate with improved less light bleeding shields. My Formlabs printer can only print flat to 5.4" and I wanted to print flat so the back side has no supports. I can sand off the flat front side. What I have done so far is print a 5.2" section so I can adjust the model and print another test print. The back side does come out nice without supports using clear resin.

I was thinking of getting a new filament printer but I have no clue as to how they work and what models are the best.

The Formlabs has a larger printer but it's over $10,000. I may be able to send my 3D file to some companies that do that work but I like to make adjustments all the time for perfection.

So what are some good filament printers I should look at?