A Day in my tiny 3D Print Farm: Assembling 3D Prints and Shipping Etsy Orders

[@jamesanderson7407]

You have the AMS use auto refill and use up all your partial spools

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thanks for the feedback, Actually doing that right now for some gridfinity base plates.

[@rubber800]

This is the correct answer.

[@kayvonpejooh3479]

I use my filament boxes for shipping all the time, but it looks much nicer if you turn them inside out. Looks like a clean new box.

[@TheMountainMaker]

I don't know why I didn't think of turning them inside out. I suppose in my head, I saw boxes that are already assembled and thought, why not use it that way. Great idea!

[@stanoss.]

nice little channel we have in here, Im new to 3d printing, bought an ender 3 v2 neo less than a month ago and now I preordered an bambu lab a1 mini combo for the end of december, I love this world so much and I aspire to have such a good farm as yours

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thank you! I appreciate your support! You won’t be disappointed with your A1 Mini Combo! I’ve got a couple more on the way!

[@LakeaGaming]

Im just getting into 3d printing commercially so your videos are super useful with packing time and how to manage when the orders pile in. I tend to use the small amounts of filaments for really small freedbies, atm I do the works thank you, about 2 mm tall so takes hardly any filament.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Awesome! I'm glad you're enjoying the content and Thanks for the tip!

[@Mittamies]

Make somekind of pocket for blowtorch to your desk. Brings it lower and little less fire hazzard😅

[@TheMountainMaker]

That’s a great idea! Now i have another to add to my list of things to model up! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Roobotics]

For the AMS auto-swap on filament run-out others mentioned already, just be careful about spools with a sharp kink that it can either fail to pull free, or cause a jam sometimes, usually varies from manufacturer. If a spool is running low and you have an easy way to respool yourself, then you can help ensure it won't have that issue at all.

[@TheMountainMaker]

I will keep that in mind, thanks for the tip! I know the almost empty cardboard spools can sometimes cause the ams to bind so I may look into printing some sort of respooler.

[@ioannispapazafiropoulos3760]

I use the full spool always.

[@timothyrico4079]

You need sunlu Filament connector That way, you can combine all your low filament spools , so there is no waste

[@TheMountainMaker]

I've starting to use the AMS with auto refill and its been working great so far. I went through all of the leftover rolls of filament that I had laying around the shop.

[@colinworsley9638]

I would use the tallest part of the space for a storage rack and make the dog bed behind it

[@Kaze919]

Have you looked into the SwapMod for the A1 mini? It's not out yet and the US is delayed a bit because of legal reasons but I think it would be a great application for your printers. It does change the footprint of the A1 mini a bit to accomodate the extra room for the bed plates but I think it's a worthwhile addition to anyone running a print farm

[@TheMountainMaker]

I have, i would love to get one when they are available as i think it could more than triple my output with the a1 minis

[@NWGR]

Looking forward to your filament storage video. Currently desi9gning my own solution. I use the leftovers for my small hardware storage bins or parts trays that only use about 20g each.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thanks! See this is why i love input from the viewers because sometimes i think i forget i can print things for myself with the leftover parts

[@NWGR]

@@TheMountainMaker When we try to be uplifting to others, everyone thrives. 🍻

[@TheMountainMaker]

Very true! Thanks for all your support!

[@SamuelsViews]

Love your channel! I'm new to 3d printing. I've had my Bambu P1S for like a week. I absolutely love it !! Just found your channel, subbed and looking forward to more.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thank you! I was in your shoes just about a year ago and feel i have come a long way. The hobby has a lot to offer so welcome aboard, hope i can provide some enjoyment!

[@adventureswithchillyb6827]

I use all my almost empty filament for little thank you emblem that I put with each order.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Great idea, Thanks for the suggestion!

[@stanoss.]

do u have an stl somewhere? i love the idea, even to not do it with left over filaments

[@sym7137]

Make prototypes with the left over filament. With the AMS if you select them all to the same colour it will auto switch

[@TheMountainMaker]

Going to use that idea right now with the next video I'm starting! Thank you!!

[@KernsleatherworksVA]

I do the same, or I always need some sort of container so I'll print a basket I like and do the same. Some have turned out looking pretty cool.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thanks for your input! Baskets have become one of the things I use the remaining 100 or so grams of filament for. The dumbbell ends use just under 300g for each set of 4 that I print so im usually left with around 100g on the spool after 3 runs. The baskets that I can fit on my Ender 3 V3 SE take up just under that 100g I'm left with so those spools are perfect for that.

[@sym7137]

@TheMountainMaker planning to use the p waste to make coasters from moulds. small oven to bake with layers. You could do a video so ppl don't just throw the waste away

[@TheMountainMaker]

I would like to do something like that with my poop from the ams. Need to get a sacrificial toaster oven first!

[@ericew]

Almost empty spools? You have an AMS, just load them all up and let the printer consume them all.

[@ericew]

FYI, just a trick I learned, when consuming multiple rolls the AMS will choose the lowest numeric spool first. Load up small rolls in 1,2,3 and a full roll in 4 to make sure the print won't possibly run out.

[@ericew]

You should add some knurling to the barbell for some added pizzazz.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Doing that right now for some filament racks! Thanks for all the tips

[@ggcreations8126]

can also use the new filament combiner thing from sunlu I wouldn't do to many "connections" but it dosn't work half bad!

[@TheMountainMaker]

I saw that and was interested at first… great idea but seems to need some work and maybe a second version before I’d feel comfortable using the filament in a day to day use situation

[@SnoringVids]

​@@TheMountainMakerI just manually torch them together.. made a video on my tech channel @randotechnerd works fine but honestly to time intensive to be worth it in a farm setting

[@3DToolBoox]

Way to go bro!

[@TheMountainMaker]

Appreciate the support!

[@joe55]

What does it cost on average to ship those boxes shown in the video? Any tips to minimize shipping costs?

[@TheMountainMaker]

Typically it’s around $6 to ship one of the boxes but also depends more on weight than it does the size of the box. Using Etsy to ship gives me the best rates and it comes out of my Etsy balance so there isn’t an upfront cost like there is with platforms like Shipstation or Pirateship.

[@PatrykR]

Almost empty? I have a few projects for such situations and there goes a "per object" printout of utility items that I use anyway (emergency openers for friends, some mounts for multiboards, "plugs" for containers, etc.). If the material is the same, then AMS can also be used for this.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thanks for the input! When I say almost empty, I am thinking in terms of the items that I print and sell most of the time and how I have my files sliced for them. 90% of the time, I am filling the build plates or optimizing the file in OrcaSlicer to best utilize all of my filament while also keeping the print times under control. I like to have files setup so I can time them to finish printing when I know I will be around to run the print again, that way I minimize on printer down time as much as possible. I definitely do use those smaller spools on occasion for prints for friends as well as things around the shop.

[@PatrykR]

@@TheMountainMaker It's an individual matter, also what we print. I simply have several "projects" to finish the spools, with various "little things" that I use anyway, then I print them at the end. Until the material runs out. If you have several of the same material, think about AMS - then you set them as the same material and the printer, after finishing one spool, will continue printing from the next one, and the next one, and the next one...

[@TheMountainMaker]

Have already used up 4 "almost empty" spools so far with the ams printing some new filament racks!

[@davesull3144]

Make them all in one spool

[@jamieg9969]

Recycling your filament there's companies that do this . That way we're helping to keep it out of the land fills.

[@TheMountainMaker]

What i am really looking forward to is a consumer grade filament recycler that is reliable enough to produce consistent spools. A lot to ask for at a consumer price but so were 3D printers like this a less than decade ago. I hate throwing away the poop that these produce so i just save it in big boxes hoping to one day use it for something

[@MysticalQ]

What kind of filament do you use for your products? My P1S is coming in next week I have so much ready to print! I see a lot of PLA but I'm worried that PLA for like a desk organizer might deform if the desk is standing in front of a window and catching that precious sunlight, as well as washing the cookie cutters, temperatures might get high enough for them to deform? Or do you use PETG for some prints? I love these kind of vids! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheMountainMaker]

I wouldn’t worry too much if you’re inside a controlled environment. The sun won’t be an issue unless the temperatures inside are getting upwards of 130-140f like a hot car sitting without ventilation. For some items i do use PETG if it’s going to be hanging or holding weight such as my sander holders but 80-90% of the items i print are PLA or PLA+ and my go to brand has been Elegoo. I’ve had great success with all of their filaments from the Rapid PETG and Rapid PLA+ to their Matte and Basic PLA. Overture is another favorite of mine as well and both are reasonably priced.

[@TheMountainMaker]

As for the cookie cutters, washing them under the hottest conditions your hot water heater is able to put out shouldn’t be an issue as anything that hot would likely burn your hands as well. They aren’t dishwasher safe, that would definitely deform them and shouldn’t be used on fresh cookies, only raw dough.

[@MysticalQ]

@@TheMountainMaker thank you for your extensive reply! I'm looking forward to starting printing myself! I'll be following you for more of this! Good luck with your business!

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thank you!

[@debadwolf9727]

What glue do you use in the start of the video? I print 32 mm bases for table top games with my low volume spools. I personally use them for my hobbies. Im sure could aslo be sold always in demand.

[@TheMountainMaker]

It is Adhesive Guru CA Glue and the spray afterwards is an Activator to cure it in 3-5 seconds - amzn.to/3YFWuPQ is the link to it if you are interested in picking some up! Thanks for the tips as well

[@MaxJasniewski]

I want to print a dumbell for myself, did you add supports or fuzzy skin? Thanks for the awesome content!

[@TheMountainMaker]

No supports, fuzzy skin but very little

[@MaxJasniewski]

@@TheMountainMaker could you tell me the numbers? Default seems like too much. Countour only?

[@TheMountainMaker]

Contour, Fuzzy Skin Point Distance 0.3mm, Fuzzy Skin Thickness 0.15

[@MaxJasniewski]

@TheMountainMaker print it hole side up? Anything special for the rod? 15% infill / 2 walls for both should be good? Sorry I'm new.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Yes hole side up, the rods i believe i have at .16mm layer height for the threads otherwise they are a little rough. I do 3 or 4 walls on them just because I’ve had a few break in the past and 15% gyroid infill. I have modified both the rods and the dumbbell part to make them easier to go together so my dumbbell ends don’t actually have any threads left in them aside from a little rough patch to help bond with the glue. It took a few different iterations to get it to the point where it made sense to be batching them out and assembling 50-100 at a time

[@UXBrian]

what are you using blow torch for? i load small rolls through AMS and make parts for star wars droids

[@TheMountainMaker]

I use the torch to get any stringing off of the parts. A smaller handheld torch would be slightly easier

[@TheMountainMaker]

I use the torch to get any stringing off of the parts. A smaller handheld torch would be slightly easier

[@robertl6711]

IMO better design would have have the screw head print with the blade. That what I do at least 1-2 less steps

[@TheMountainMaker]

They are now printed just like that after another viewers recommendation.

[@HarrisonDavies]

I do the same thing, reuse filament boxes/amazon boxes - better for the planet.

[@TheMountainMaker]

I typically send my Amazon FBA shipments in old Amazon packages right back to them! Saves me from having a comically oversized box sitting around from the little item that was inside!

[@simonr6793]

Not knowing anything about 3d print spools and the waste spools you mentioned. Could it not be possible to warm the ends up of the waste spools and basically join a couple or more together, saving you a few bucks 🤔🧐.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Yes, there is actually a product that has been recommended in here once already from a company called Sunlu and it essentially works just as you said. With the multi-color units on the printers I have, I can also set them up in the software as if they were all the same color filament and when it runs through one roll and senses that it is out, it will switch to another roll automatically and continue to print. I've always been hesitant to use it with prints that I sell, just to cut down on possible defects, but after using it for a few prints today, it doesn't work half bad. Thanks for your comment!

[@micahellis45]

NO PLEASE LOOK UP SUNLU FILAMENT WELDER!! Saves tons of money. I cried when I heard you threw the excess away but I understand

[@TheMountainMaker]

When i say i throw them away, typically they are at the point where you are mostly seeing cardboard. Anything that has probably 20+ grams usually goes to my stepfather but I’ve been using them the last couple days to print gridfinity base plates and auto-refill with the ams for some filament racks.

[@cnz-u5x]

what kind of spray do you use before glue? 9:18 of this video

[@TheMountainMaker]

It’s a combination of the CA glue and an accelerator that can be purchased with, or separate from the glue typically around $15-20 depending on the brand

[@cnz-u5x]

@@TheMountainMaker thanks

[@haydebroeditz2840]

Question for your cookie cutters do you food grade them or anything, also love the content this is the second video I've seen and its a vibe as well as seeing someone doing the same business as you!

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thank you so much for the kind words and for following along! I’m glad you’re enjoying the content and can relate to the business side of things too! To answer your question, I don’t food-grade the cookie cutters because they are intended for use before baking. If used as directed and properly washed before and after each use, they should perform just like a standard cookie cutter with no concerns about bacterial growth.

[@meddel9864]

Hey brother I've heard the cardboard spools can cause issues with the AMS due to the cardboard dust that rubs off them, have you had any issues like this?

[@TheMountainMaker]

I have seen some parts of the cardboard break off and end up in the bottom of the ams but nothing has caused any issues so far. They are minimal, almost dust particle size so overtime I guess it will build up if I didn't do anything about it. If I end up with a spool that was damaged in shipping or is starting to separate for whatever reason, I will either transport it to one of the Bambu refill spools, or I've printed out some plastic adapters for the ams to use on the cardboard spools so the ams wheels are in contact with the plastic instead of the edge of the cardboard and those work well, just more time consuming to remove them and put them on every time I switch or run out of filament.

[@g0d77]

Use 2 slots in AMS for same color, no waste except poop and test lines

[@TheMountainMaker]

Have you found there to be any issues as far as quality goes if it runs out of one spool and has to switch to the other? With multi color printing, you don't tend to see anything because its constantly doing the color changes, but Im curious if it is printing at 250mm/s and runs out of black, switches to the next black and starts printing again, do you see that color shift or sheen difference where it did the filament swap in the final product? Side note... Im using that feature right now for some filament racks i'm printing out, but Im not concerned over any differences in color because they're just for me!

[@KernsleatherworksVA]

@@TheMountainMaker I've done the baskets thing but I've also added another roll of a color to my AMS if one was low and I didn't need 4 colors. You might see some color shift especially if using a different brand but if it's the same brand I haven't noticed it much. When it runs out it just treats it similar to color change so your printed stuff doesn't have a ton of time to cool like it would if you had to physically change the roll so I think that helps too.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Good to know! For now i plan to use it for things around the print farm

[@g0d77]

@@TheMountainMaker no issues. Can't even tell where it started new roll as long as you stay with same exact color and brand. I order bundle of same color.

[@CargoBLG]

привет. А кто заказывает такие легкие гантели?

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thanks for the question! They are for holding gift cards or business cards in a retail or gym environment. From our reviews, physical therapists, personal trainers, gyms and yoga studios are the primary buyers

[@jonwoodworker]

What program are you using for designing your products?

[@TheMountainMaker]

I use Fusion or Shapr3D depending on the project. Most of the items i sell are paid for models from Thangs or free to use models from Printables, Makerworld or Thingiverse. For custom things like replacement parts I’ll typically try to use fusion

[@robertl6711]

I use my almost gone filament to print odds and ends. example i sell something that I include a little m4 wrench with. so I print those in randoms colors and add them to the orders. I push for no waste. i feel like this hobby has enough waste as it is.

[@Kamikaze3557]

Humidity control? Do you need it?

[@TheMountainMaker]

The dehumidifier in the center of the floor gets used during the short rainy period we usually get. It doesn't get used much. The Minisplit unit on the wall however, lifesaver, especially when it gets down closer to freezing outside.

[@sym7137]

Any reason why you dont use threaded screws so you dont need glue?

[@TheMountainMaker]

I want the product to be as secure as possible when the customer receives it and In the correct orientation right from the unboxing. I've played around with doing them both ways but what I've found is the threads that are loose enough to make it go quickly don't tend to stay once you start packing them up or moving them around and the ones that are tight enough to stay take just about as much time as the glue. Also, I used to thread and glue them, and after 20-30 card holders, your wrists will start to get angry with you. With people grabbing cards out of them, I would rather spend the extra few pennies on glue and be sure that its not going to wobble or arrive too loose, or require any extra bit of customer adjustments. Just a bit of extra quality control on my part I suppose to make sure they are the same if the customer orders 1 or 10, or if it gets shipped from myself, or Amazon.

[@DougLifeAdventure]

Hi, what make of 3d printers do you have an are they all the same or do you have different ones ?.

[@TheMountainMaker]

I have 3 Bambu Lab printers, A P1P with AMS, an A1 Mini with AMS Lite, and a standalone A1 Mini. I also have a Creality Ender 3 V3 SE and Ender 3 Max Neo that is currently out of commission for repairs.

[@JonneytheKidd]

How do the orders come in and automatically print on your sticker roll?

[@TheMountainMaker]

Ship Station has a feature that allows for that but right now I manually will go and select and print each order within Etsy when I go in to ship out for the day.

[@TomFilmHUN]

Hi! Which side is the barbell facing down when you press it? I can't print skin on top. (A1)

[@TomFilmHUN]

Ok, I found you on Amazon and saw that the inside is on top. Thanks!

[@TheMountainMaker]

Yes, outside faces down with the hole sides up

[@typeaboutit]

Maybe you can just integrate the screw head in the blade grey blade design? One less part...

[@TheMountainMaker]

Very good point! I appreciate the feedback. That would definitely make my life easier!

[@ysesq]

why bother gluing when you have multi color filaments. print as one 2 color piece.

[@TheMountainMaker]

A print like the dumbbells would need supports, the quality of the overall print would not come out the same, and depending on how I printed it, it would either be weak along the layer lines, or have a rough top surface on the dumbbell rods. There would also be an incredible amount of filament waste from swapping colors every layer. The AMS is great for a lot of things, but it's not always the best solution. Time saver in the end on my part, sure, but far more printer time and the overall quality of the part is more important to me than saving 10-15 seconds gluing them together.

[@Kamikaze3557]

Ah, I’d leave the pencil sharpener holder unglued, that’s how I’d want to receive it, am I the only one like that?

[@TheMountainMaker]

So sell it as an item to be assembled essentially when the customer receives it so they have a little part in it? I do like that idea if thats what you are getting at, or the idea of offering either option... the only issue i see with it is sometimes the screws can start off cross-threaded and you have to reverse it until the threads catch, but I fear if someone ordering this isn't the handy type, they may break it or damage the head by trying to force it in there. I like where your thought process is for sure!

[@DeNifty1]

@@TheMountainMaker I think if you are going to glue it then alter the print to make the blade part of the sharpener and the screw one piece. I was also thinking that you should store the left and right of the dumbbell separately so you wouldn't have to match them up every time (or add the 25 to the back side so the part can be used on either side)

[@JezreelChaves-c3w]

What label printer do you use for 4x6 labels?

[@TheMountainMaker]

amzn.to/3YW93pg It is the Vretti from Amazon. It is an OK printer, everything comes out great in terms of print quality, but there are a few issues I have with it that would prevent me from purchasing this variant again. 1. its usb only, no bluetooth so If I want to print from any device, it needs to be setup as a network printer, not a big deal, especially for the cost ($46 right now and they do offer a bluetooth variant which I haven't tried). 2. the power and usb port are on the back side where the labels feed from, and doesn't allow you to flush it up against a roller and makes it difficult to align your labels without them getting caught sometimes because the stack cant sit right up against the printer so they sit back probably 6-8 inches from the back of the printer. Aside from that, the cables are quite bulky in the back, it uses the older usb type b printer connection and doesn't allow you to efficiently pull the cables off to the side because they both have a bulky piece sticking out roughly 1-1.5". With all that said I've printed probably over 1500 labels with it so far this year, if I include packing slips, and have only had a couple failures due to the labels getting caught. So if those things don't sound like they would be a huge issue to you, its an ok budget thermal printer and definitely beats any desktop style printer all day long when it comes to sending orders out. Sorry that was so long, but I'd rather you know my experience than to just say heres the link, good luck!

[@AndyConnor_]

What’s your Etsy store bud?

[@TheMountainMaker]

www.etsy.com/shop/MountainMakerVT is the link to my shop!

[@scryptik]

If I received an order in a box like this I would never buy from this seller again. Very unprofessional.. get some bubble mailers

[@TheMountainMaker]

99% of the items i send out were in bubble mailers or unmarked boxes but sometimes, orders have to go out they are larger than what i normally send out or I’m waiting on deliveries that were delayed for one reason or another so we use what we have on hand instead of delaying the customers order by a few days. I’m sure most people would prefer to receive the item in a timely manner versus waiting for the right box that will ultimately get thrown away seconds after they open it anyways

[@scryptik]

@TheMountainMaker I guess that's ok then... I live 20 miles from an Amazon fulfillment center so my orders are same day usually

[@MaddMaxxTcs]

A small buisness with 3 printers isnt a farm its just a hobby. when you get like 10 printers then you can call it a farm.

[@SnoringVids]

Seems like he's doing pretty well with 3 printers, I've only been printing a few years but I'd consider anyone with multiple printers and a successful business to have a print farm.

[@TheMountainMaker]

Thank you, I appreciate your support!