Leaking Vase

[Werner]

Hi all

I've printed several vases, but they all leak. Printed with PLA 180°C, bed temp 60°C.

The last one with 5 bottom and outline layers. But they still leak!

Anybody out there who has a solution?

Werner

[Dale Reed]

Werner,

 

Perhaps measure the actual filament diameter and see how it compares with the diameter your slicer THINKS you're using.  (If you don't have a micrometer or caliper, there are some sufficiently good ones available for under $40 USD.  I bought my digital caliper off the shelf at my local Radio Shack store.  Just had to wade past all the cellphones and smartphones and tablets to the back!)  You can also measure the printed wall thickness and see how it compares with the original model.

 

And if you are using pigmented PLA rather than natural, you might need to bump the extruder temperature up a bit.  I run about 192 - 195 C for black PLA.

 

Dale

[mathisyourfriend]

Same for me, .25mm black PLA from toybuilderslab (good stuff so far) at 195 C.  I'm going to try some sort of clear lacquer/varnish on the inside.  Any ideas?

On Monday, May 20, 2013 4:22:15 PM UTC-4, Werner wrote:

[Jonathan Hirschman]

What infill are you printing at? I'd suggest all solid layers to ensure water-tightness, and possibly extra perimeters.

jh

[mathisyourfriend]

I'm still tweaking stuff, tomlombardi's creator settings have helped me a lot.  I didn't expect a water tight/3 layer thick vase first time but I'm not far off.  I think. I have no experience with waterproofing prints, has anyone used some sort of clear stuff for this purpose?

[Werner]

I've printed with black PLA and 180°C

started with 3 layers,  last print I used 5 layers (bottom and outline)

but vase still leaks a little bit

will test 5 layers and 195°C, will inform about the results as soon as print finished

Werner

[slipshine]

It is my understanding that a pla vase will always leak unless sealed with a laquer or something.
ABS has the same issues but to a lesser extent. It has something to due to micro cracks between the layers.
If you really want make it water tight print it with abs and fuse the layers in a acatone vaporchamber.

[Galen Collins]

I make waterproof parts all the time. Just dip in a vat of acetone for a
few seconds and quickly dry with a fan.

[mathisyourfriend]

I tried the twisted vase 5 bottom layers and 5 layers thick powder blue PLA 190 C (gorgeous stuff).  Not H2O proof but better.  Will try some lacquer this weekend.

On Monday, May 20, 2013 4:22:15 PM UTC-4, Werner wrote:

[Walt]

Why not just line it with a plastic bag as done with woven pots?

On Monday, May 20, 2013 4:22:15 PM UTC-4, Werner wrote:

[Ketil Froyn]

Here's another approach:

http://forums.reprap.org/read.php?88,82174,170469#msg-170469

"the seamonkey rov uses printable parts and dipped in potting compound and vacumed"

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[mathisyourfriend]

I tried some run of the mill lacquer (clear gloss).  It was milky white.  I stirred it and poured a little into the vase mentioned below.  Moving it around slowly I got it pretty even inside then hung upside down it in the sun to dry.  One coat made it 99% H2O proof.  Will try a second light one with a brush today.  So far, pretty good.

[mathisyourfriend]

2nd coat didn't quite do it.  I'll try one more tomorrow.  Also going to try something with a bag inside as was suggested.  Maybe something that uses a hair dryer like I think I've seen for windows or something?  ideas?

[M3Jim]

I can tell you one thing that doesn't work.  I bought some Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch 2X UltraCover.  Applied 2 coats to the twisted hex that came as a demo.  It still leaks.  Sometimes knowing what doesn't work is as valuable as knowing what does.

 

Good luck,

Jim

 

[mathisyourfriend]

Looks like the lacquer I used has affected the color of the outside (powder blue PLA).  It makes it seems less "bright" blue.  I'm not very artistic and somewhat colorblind at least with slight shade differences.  I'm going to have my graphic artist brother look at in good sunlight to tell me if he sees the same thing.  

On Monday, May 20, 2013 4:22:15 PM UTC-4, Werner wrote:

[Fiid Williams]

Have you considered brushing with an epoxy resin?  Not sure if there would be a reaction with the PLA or not, but might be worth a try.

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