Squiggly bits of PLA - Coast / Retraction problem?

[Graham Plumb]

Hi there,

I had my M2 working great for a few months, then left it alone for about 8 weeks. Now I come back and the prints that use the same settings as previous are getting small squiggly bits appearing at edges / sides / corners. 

I've tried changing the Retraction Distance, which was working great at 2.00mm, and is now 1.5mm. But wondered if this a Coasting Distance issue, currently set to 0.75mm. Never tried playing with any other settings in 'ooze control'. Maybe I just need a new nozzle?

Any tips or pointers greatly appreciated. 

Thank you.

Graham

(images attached)

[Levi8than]

How was your PLA stored?  I've heard that PLA which has absorbed water is more likely to ooze, and this might just be the proof.

You can try a deeper retraction distance with wipe on retract, before jumping models.  Or maybe try drying out your PLA in a bucket of desiccant for a few days.

[toddInPortland]

This is actually a good question by itself: what is the right way to store PLA?

[Bryan Boettcher]

I store mine in ziploc baggies (2 gallon), with 2 packets of dessicant and a humidity card.  I change dessicant if its ever above 30% moisture.

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[Levi8than]

I use a 5 gallon bucket from home depot with a leaktite screw top lid and a frisbee full of color changing dessicant on the bottom.  The dessicant is blue when water free.

As soon as I see a subtle hint of pink color, I pour all of the beads onto a cookie sheet and bake it in the oven for an hour or two at the lowest temperature, then dump it back in the bucket.

[Nic Jansma]

I use a sealed storage container like this:
http://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Weathertight-Storage-46-6-Quart/dp/B003OXNISG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415829645&sr=8-1&keywords=sealed+storage+container

This Eva-Dry sits inside to dehumidify the container (plugging it into the wall resets the beads):
http://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-E-500-Renewable-Wireless-Dehumidifer/dp/B000H0XFD2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415829658&sr=8-1&keywords=eva-dry

Then a humidity sensor:
http://www.amazon.com/AcuRite-00613A1-Indoor-Humidity-Monitor/dp/B0013BKDO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415829691&sr=8-1&keywords=humidity+sensor

I can store about a dozen spindles in it.

- Nic
http://nicj.net/
@NicJ

[Bryan Boettcher]

Nic, that's what I use for my 5lb spools.  I have two tubs -- each holds 3 spools (just barely)