My PLA doesn't smell like PLA

[da...@dalewheat.com]

While trying to get a 3D printer set up correctly in the lab, I tried several different types of PLA filament.

First I used an old sample roll of green 3.0mm PLA that came with my original RAMPS board.  Ah, good times.  Also, good smells.  People have compared the smell of melting PLA to waffles, which in the US are hot, crispy & sweet (if prepared correctly).  Yummy smell.  Makes me want to print more 3D items.  Also printed flawlessly, beautifully, perfectly, consistently.

After that little roll was gone, I moved on to some "bargain" filament I had been collecting, mostly from China via eBay.  And by "bargain" I mean ~$20 per kg, delivered.

First up was a 1 kg roll of 3.0mm purple.  Lovely color, semitransparent.  No odor at all, but emitted a bit of smoke (steam?) when heating up.  Awful performance:  no temperature setting (180C-220C) or speed seemed to work.  No first layer adhesion, ever.  Tried with and without heated bed up to 85C.  Also tried on borosilicate glass as well as 3M brand blue tape.

Gave up on that printer (Ordbot Quantum) and moved to Replicator Dual clone, with which I had previously had much success.  Noted that none of the 1.75mm PLA filament I had been using emitted that sweet smell I had associated with PLA in the past, yet seemed to print OK.  Some first layer adhesion issues when printing on heated Kapton over aluminum, so went back to the old blue tape.  So at least I can print stuff now.

So I'm thinking I need to spend more $$$ on quality filament, which is not surprising.  Has anyone else had this experience?  Can anyone recommend a quality vendor or specific type of PLA that produces consistent result?  Also missing the smell of PLA in the morning...

[Neil Jansen]

Never ever buy cheap imported filament.

I use PushPlastic.com exclusively, which is USA based, 100% pure virgin PLA molecules, and is actually competitively priced at $30 per kg.  and great colors.  There are also other places to get similar quality and prices.

I will never use cheap filament again.  I've had similar nightmares.  2015 and beyond, there's no reason to buy crap anymore.  Back in the day, it was understandable, as there weren't any great suppliers for cheap.  Things have changed :)

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[da...@dalewheat.com]

@Neil,

While I understand that this is not a 3D-printing-specific group, I appreciate the fact that there is much 3D printer wisdom and experience floating around here.  3D-fu, if you will.

Your comments are well taken.  I recently adopted similar policies on more mundane topics such as hotels, socks & toilet paper.  :D

But does your PLA smell like PLA?

 

[Neil Jansen]

Yes it smells like PLA.  As for socks, my rule is to always make sure the left matches the right.  It's my little way of sticking it to the man, while still meeting dress code requirements.  Today it's a blue one with eyeballs, and the other is a red one with the animal drummer guy from the muppets.  No, I wish I was kidding :)

On Friday, January 16, 2015, <da...@dalewheat.com> wrote:

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[Karl]

I also use PushPlastic (thank you, Neil) and am working at home barefoot because I can't find my socks.

[da...@dalewheat.com]

I ordered some shiny silver PLA from PushPlastic.com today.  Here's hoping!

The "free shipping" is via UPS SurePost, which means it goes to my local Post Office for further mangling before finding its way home.  UPS has kindly offered to remedy this situation for $3.50, allowing me to "upgrade" the delivery and shave off one day, typically.

Will advise.

[Jason von Nieda]

Just to chime in, I use PushPlastic PLA on Neil's recommendation as well, and it's worked great for me so far.