How to Smooth 3D Pen Creations | Tutorial

[@PresidentBread]

i dont even own a 3d pen why am i watching this lol

[@PotentPrintables]

My hypnotic voice...

[@PresidentBread]

@@PotentPrintables lol

[@Joksh3]

Same

[@SLACubers]

@@PotentPrintables lol that's hilarious but ya gotta admit.... It is

[@katerasmussen5618]

Same but I want one. THAT STIMULUS CHECK.

[@jackielearnsandteaches]

Thanks for this video. I watched it months ago, eventually tried a pen... eventually got back to it... and eventually got around to getting a soldering iron. Here I am, months later, and I needed a video on how to use it. This was STILL the best explanation. Kudos!

[@PotentPrintables]

Great to hear!

[@mtraven23]

you might try a heat gun after the sanding. I have never worked with pen prints but have had good success with my 3d printer prints. If you do it just enough, it will bring bring back the original glossy sheen. I think this works by relieving stresses created by sanding and melts the tiny hairs of plastic that remain from sanding, surface tension pulls on that tiny amount of plastic thus smoothing and restoring the "just melted" glaze (because it was just melted). That's my working theory anyways. For the scale you work on, something like a reflow soldering setup would be ideally suited. If you are not familiar, they are tiny, focused guns with very precise control over temperature. It could also be described as a hot air jet, that is to say there is some pressure to act upon the print in the exact spot you are heating to move material around. think of it like a hot "air brush". The best part is, its effectively non contact.

[@PotentPrintables]

Hi, thanks for the ideas and feedback! I have tried using my handheld torch, but with that it is very hard to control the application of heat, so you usually end up melting and making the surface look much worse. I like the idea of trying a heat gun (which I have) and especially the reflow setup (if I can get ahold of one)- I'll have to give those a try. Thanks again for the ideas!

[@Elevenbane]

I've had a chance to try using a heat gun, it works great! I found the best combination seems to be a woodburning iron--->sanding--->heat gun process. The biggest downfall is that the heat gun can expose hidden pits under the surface texture. But the holes are usually tiny pinholes, that are easy to to fix up later

[@forestweston5055]

A regular cloth buffing wheel with a white polishing rouge will make your wood burner smoothed object really pop. And it’s very quick!

[@Janovich]

Can confirm. A heat gun will bring back the glossy sheen after sanding. However unfortunately it does next to nothing to help with smoothing the surface itself. Instead of melting layer lines together the PLA mass will just absorb all of the heat and become malleable. Great for bending 3d prints into particular shapes though!

[@paulkemp8520]

A soldering iron should do the same right?

[@coding32111]

Yea

[@ChaosRaptor]

I’ve also seen people use lighters or something along the lines of something like a lighter or bbq lighter

[@vinayakonimani7628]

Its better to have a controllable soldering iron. You can set the temp to what u want. Take care to not keept it too high if you are a beginner. For newbies: keep the temp low and be steady n slow with your hands. High temp can smolder the plastic. You may also want to try a hot air soldering iron. They blow out hot air. Or you can also use an old cloth iron for larger parts u may need to modify it to make it workable for ur requirements

[@ThePracy]

could you do tthis with ABS? would be useful

[@LM76YU]

0:34

[@trashlambo]

For sanding, why not use a sanding tool like a sanding tip on a dremel or one of those disc sanders? For the latter, you have ready access to different grits as well, although you'd need hearing as well eye protective equipment (safety first). Edit: dremel doesn't work well apparently, but what about a disc sander?

[@grac1cle341]

His voice is so calming wth

[@sherlingplacencia6102]

I just got a 3d pen today and have no idea how to use it so I just searched it on yt and I watched a video of urs before this one about things that 3d pen users do wrong and ur channel really helped me! Thx👍👍

[@PotentPrintables]

Glad I could help!

[@bigfoot8778]

For got my favorite method, go like this. Wood burning, sanding, torch to get shiny back.

[@tragicallysarah7623]

What about an electric filer? The type you would see in a nail salon. I was gifted a 3D pen this Christmas so I'm pretty new at this craft. This is the first video I've come across that explains techniques in a way that actually keeps my attention. Lol. I will definitely be checking out more of your content. I love to sculpt but so far, this is quite different from sculpting. Lol.

[@RedFlyer350]

I would like to know more about the stainless steel tips for the wood burning tool. I have one of those with the brass tips...

[@ThePracy]

im almost giving up on smothing this. I thought the problem was abs and i started to use pla. Nothing. Paper filer doesnt seems to do ANYTHING to the piece. Using a drill still doesnt give a straight surface. I saw you saying that you do many rounds of smothing and sanding. Thats the only thing i didnt try yet. I had no idea about this, No one says that! lol Lets try once again. *prays* lol btw, your channel is amazing! I hope i get there soon

[@afterm00nluci]

hm, an issue i find is that the surface has warped over time from the heat and layers of plastic, another one is that the surface is shiny and "smooth" but not geometrically smooth, like the spheres in the video are a lot smoother by the end of the various processes, but geometrically they are still very wobbly. my best tactic is to have some mechanical way of sanding the surface, for a flat surface i have the sand stapled to a plank, and the plastic piece is pressed and rubbed in one direction, back and forth, you get a very clean surface, because the mechanics remove my nerves and shaky hands from the process almost completely.

[@3DPlasticFantasy]

I had a feeling that 3d gloop might did the work like vapor smoothing on abs plastics. Another way that I personally use after sanding is varnish (with brush), in case you don't wanna use lighter and risk to get burning marks.

[@PotentPrintables]

Ah nice, thanks for sharing. You use a wood varnish? I'll have to give this a try!

[@3DPlasticFantasy]

@@PotentPrintables I'll sent you more info on insta.

[@PotentPrintables]

Ok, thanks.

[@megaman616]

Sanding, filling gaps and sanding again will get you a mirror finish with progressive finer grit

[@RabbitsInBlack]

After Sanding so it's a smooth surface then take a quick torch on it. Brings out that shine. There is also painting it with 3d Printing Resin and then curing it might work.

[@Sarah18126]

In a few Days, I'll have to Do an oral presentation about 3D pencils and let me Tell you that it's one of these moments where you're like "THANK GOD THIS VIDEO EXISTS"

[@palpongracz5049]

Hello! Can you help me find the best temperature to melt the plastic? What I use a soldering iron is unfortunately a bit burns the plastic and leaves a brown mark.

[@Michael05292]

I think for pla it should be around 400-500°f

[@jlryan2011]

For the wood burning tips you made, it looks like they’re carriage bolts you’ve modified? What are the sizes for the thread and thickness? How’d you get the bolt head flat, grinder & sanding?

[@AceKaci]

Great info! Can you make a video on how you made your stainless steel wood burning tips?

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks! Check the pinned comment.

[@jaceofspades1346]

I have the same wood burning kit. Id like to see what heat setting you’re using and about the stainless tips you were using. I was having trouble smoothing with the brass tips

[@PotentPrintables]

For PLA I set it just into the orange section of the dial. The stainless steel tips I made myself from 8-32 threaded stainless screws, with a grinding wheel.

[@zachhughes9806]

Could you use a heat gun to smooth 3D sculpture

[@michaelhill4472]

I absolutely would like more information on how you made those stainless steel tips! What would you suggest for cleaning the tip. Just a damp cloth?

[@PotentPrintables]

Someone else asked this question on a different video and I gave a bunch of details there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPKoIeFpLpogJo For cleaning it I just use a paper towel.

[@teknicron1080]

Recently found a video where they used card scrapers to smooth 3D prints. Got some myself and they work wonders!

[@CYMotorsport]

the hakko t18 c3 is pretty amazing if you came into this already with a soldering iron. You have to be patient given it has less surface area but really effective. also just a heads up, the kit you link to does not include the smoother you are using.

[@alexmorgun851]

Is it toxic when woodburning?

[@peacesweekly8697]

3D printing beginner here! thank you so much this video was very informative 💗

[@WARPAINTandUnicorns]

I haven't tested this out yet with PLA yet but with other thermal plastics. After you are done getting the final smooth shape you want, you can hit other thermal plastics with a heat gun lightly to reactivate the surface so that it returns to the glossy plastic look if it was able to be glossy originally (Worbla Crystal Art is one such plastic). I suspect it needs practice and I would use a mini heat shrink gun instead of a large heat gun for control (I have both guns for this reason).

[@Suprem3GamerDamianWinchester]

Hi Mr.Potent, very nice tutorial thank you for that, also I want to give you a tip for a great finish, after using the wood burner method you can add this one which is heating it with a heat gun, it takes practice but I am sure that you can make it possible 😀

[@PotentPrintables]

Interested in improving your 3D pen skills? Check out this playlist- has something for all skill levels! kzbin.info/aero/PL2emNPgwaprp_tl3YWI9i6n082hRq7E8q Edit on 12/26/2020- Lots of people have been asking about making the stainless steel tips. Here is how I did it: The stainless steel tips I made myself from 8-32 threaded stainless screws, with a grinding wheel. Note I can only say this size works for the wood burning tool linked in the description. After grinding the head down to the shape I wanted, I made the angled bend. I put a bunch of 8-32 nuts on the screw, stopping at where I wanted to make the angled bend. Then I clamped all the nuts in a vice and bent the screw. Once the bend was made, I was able to remove the nuts from the straight section with the threads intact.

[@ibrahamastabile5944]

Could you explain the two filment comparison that you mentioned earlier in this video please

[@olleh1]

Can you just use a pan

[@arthurlino4362]

how did you make the stainless steel tips ?

[@tech-78]

What about a Dremel? By the way, another great video!

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks. I've been wanting to try that, so you might see it someday in another video. If you try it let me know how it goes!

[@tech-78]

@@PotentPrintables I will let you know, my new pen will be here tomorrow, & Dremel is on the charger.

[@unnoticed6802]

I tried dremel it’s not the best with a rough bit

[@ankhkk118]

Yo dremel is not worth the effort and the dirt. Its nicest using the heated metal method, u get best results and it makes no dirt. U can see a bigger difference when using transparent pla and use a dremel the pla gets white and looses the transparency. This does not happen when only using heat.

[@dantegaming3166]

amazing video! I don't 3d pen personally, but after watching this video, I might try it. Keep up the amazing work and you will get to 10K subs in no time!

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks- give it a try, it's a lot of fun!

[@michaelsantos88888]

Can you make a dedicated video on how to make those stainless steel tips for wood burning too? I tried an old soldering iron and it smudged black spots on an orange colored project I'm working on. Then I planned to buy wood burning tool and searched online but none has those flat tops you're using. Please make a tutorial for those tips.

[@Pawfulpansys]

Nice video, question is there any other options to smooth down 3d pen projects without things that have to do with heat and stuff, like sandpaper?

[@DustinWoloschuk]

did you ever end up making a dedicated video about your stainless steel tips? id like to see that...

[@Gaps666]

Jak się nazywa to urządzenie którego Ty używasz do wygładzania plastiku

[@MrRatman259]

For the brass tips you have to clean constantly. It also could mean that the temperature is to hot so it’s burning the filament.

[@musicwaves97]

Do you have or would you make a tutorial on how to make the stainless steal tips? I would love to know how since all I can find are copper tips. Amazing video and much love from Canada 🥰

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks and hope everything in Canada is well! I probably won't make a video about it, but I used stainless steel screws and a grinding wheel to make the tips I have.

[@musicwaves97]

Potent Printables omg thanks for replying! I will try that 😊

[@therockk]

Potent Printables Great video, love all your videos. Thanks for all the help!! Ive also tried to make them from stainless steel screws, bolts and not having great success. They are not heating up to same level as the rest of the tool,.When I grinned down the screws they still got the Philips head + showing .... The bolts are easier and I’ve even die’d them so they screw right on the wood burning tool,. But still i get the same problem. Could you explain a little more in detail how you got yours to work?

[@therockk]

@Potent Printables Actually never mind. I figured it out.. And ill upload a video shortly on how to do it so no one else has to go through the same nonsense I did with screws, bolts, etc lol...

[@juckendesAuge]

Hello, can you test epoxy resin and trop it on the surface? Thank you very much

[@PotentPrintables]

Just by itself or after using a wood burning tool?

[@juckendesAuge]

@@PotentPrintables only the epoxy resin. Before, you can Mix the resin with color.

[@Hyraethian]

I use Duramic PLA, It gets gummy in acetone but it wont smooth in a vapor bath. I have found that an acetone soaked rag can be used to buff the print lines out. You may want either a a pair of Butyl rubber glove(think heavy duty rubber gloves) or lotion because it can potentially chap your hands.

[@professord8888]

Cool video, subscribed. What about trying a heat gun or soldering torch?

[@blob5634]

even after using a stainless steel tip it still leaves brown marks for me?

[@a.l.w.1639]

How did you make your "stainless steel custom tips" ???

[@homeless_3D]

i have an issue where i try to sand a 3d pen creation that has colour, but it makes the color black. Im not sure if it was my sandpaper or something.

[@SumDumChum]

For the tip on thr wood burner what did you use? I have tried this technique but I cant seem to find the right size sheet metal screw. It looks like you use a stainless steel screw but I've had a hard time finding the right one and when I did it seemed that you have yours bent to a slight angle which I have tried but failed to get a consisten result. When I followed this it seemd I was stripping the threads and not getting a good result. After watching your grind video do you think you could have done your oven smoothing technique on that project or is it too delicate and ornate of a shape? You're the reason I got into 3D pens and will be diving back into it seeing as hie I have rolls and rolls of filament but lost some mojo after trying some projects that just seemed to be more deflating. You are inspiring me again though and love your videos 👏👏👍👍

[@PotentPrintables]

Super glad to hear you’re getting back into it! Glad my videos helped :) The stainless steel tips I made myself from 8-32 threaded stainless screws, with a grinding wheel. Note I can only say this size works for the wood burning tool linked in the description. After grinding the head down to the shape I wanted, I made the angled bend. I put a bunch of 8-32 nuts on the screw, stopping at where I wanted to make the angled bend. Then I clamped all the nuts in a vice and bent the screw. Once the bend was made, I was able to remove the nuts from the straight section with the threads intact.

[@viggo_k8656]

*SMOOTH*

[@acawley6330]

Did you ever make a video on the stainless steel tips?

[@chasechildress2720]

Will primer sand sprey paint work once you smooth it out?

[@brocklievsay8262]

How about a propane torch to heat and remelt the plastic?

[@Artaak-Gaming]

hello with the soldering iron it looks better but after the soldering iron and a coat of paint is it enough to even out a 3d rendering of a 3d print? because I would like to achieve a better result like 3D printing and I ordered a 3D pen I am afraid of not being able to obtain a clear result

[@Elevenbane]

Please make a tutorial on how to make those stainless steel wood burning tool tips! Or link to where they can be ordered, I'm very interested in adding that to my 3D pen kit

[@jackaltraid9338]

Is there anywhere I can get those stainless steel tips?

[@MagiacomPracy]

i tried with wood soldering iron, it sticks all in the iron and its too hard to smooth. almost impossible. i gave up. what should i've been doing wrong?

[@Astrobiologica]

please tell me more about the stainless steel tips, thank you I found this video very helpful, liked and subscribed. I have ordered the same iron, it seems like the best one I have seen for the smoothing task.

[@PotentPrintables]

Glad the video was helpful and thanks for subscribing! The stainless steel tips I made myself from 8-32 threaded stainless screws, with a grinding wheel.

[@omarnaguib5118]

Can you plz send me a link for this woodburner in amazon

[@chefranylaitenu7731]

Your video's are ❤️ tomorrow I Wil work for the first time with a 3d pen and I was looking for what information and your channel came up! Thank you so much for your content Sir ⭐

[@2735angel]

Can I super glue 3D pen stuff together?

[@CASSTONECUSTOMS]

Great Video, what size screw (thread count) do you use for your diy tips?

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks. The thread size that fits the specific wood burning tool I have is 8-32.

[@CASSTONECUSTOMS]

Potent Printables Awesome thank you!

[@PapaDeuce27]

What temp setting and how did you make your tip?

[@YOUR_NARRATOR975]

I'd say files are more for cleaning up arches or any small bumps you make.

[@ZebraandDonkey]

Another great video. Nice.

[@PotentPrintables]

Thanks James!

[@MemecomicMeme]

What is the tool name?Is there more tutorial to smoothing 3D pen besides this tutorial?

[@johncline3033]

New guy here. Nice work and I think the sanding then heat to bring back the color worked best. I'll have to buy a pen and give it a go. Just when I think I've done all the art I can do, I find video's like these lol.

[@PotentPrintables]

Welcome and thank you! You'll have a lot of fun with it..good luck!

[@joeweiland9723]

Hard to tell, is that gloop clear or black in color?

[@PotentPrintables]

Mostly clear, but with a somewhat white-ish tint to it.

[@YuBongKim]

Wood Burning tools are really good

[@vellieball]

Is wood burning the same as a soldering iron?

[@PotentPrintables]

No it's not. Check out my Advance Tutorial- I talk about the differences in that video.

[@vellieball]

@@PotentPrintables Alright, thank you for the reply!

[@RedlineRob]

What would happen if you used a butane torch, or heating it in an oven?

[@nitrothunderbird6740]

How did you make your own wood-burning tool tips (especially the flat one used in the video)?

[@PotentPrintables]

Someone else asked this question on a different video and I gave a bunch of details there: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWPKoIeFpLpogJo

[@yuiop271]

When I use my 3D pen for PLA and TPU it smell ok not that much at all. But when I smoothing the plastic with a woodburning tool it smells very much and really toxic especially with the TPU. Why is that? Is it the same for you? Or is my Wood burning to hot (It doesnt say anywhere How hot it gets) or is it beacause of the brasstip i have? Thanks for answers.

[@Rainbowkittenism]

I've found using a wood burner even with stainless steel tips gets some of the PLA stuck to the pen which then "cooks" and releases smoke. :x Any idea how to avoid this?

[@PotentPrintables]

I always have a paper towel handy and I immediately wipe off the tip if this happens. I also periodically wipe the tip just to keep it clean. Avoiding it totally is tough- keeping the tip moving as you smooth and not dwelling too long on one area helps a lot.

[@Rainbowkittenism]

@@PotentPrintables Thanks for the advice! I am also going to return the one I bought and get a Walnut Creek woodburner since they seem to have a better variable temperature, hopefully that helps.

[@PotentPrintables]

Keep in mind the Walnut set does not come with stainless steel tips. I had to make my own for the Walnut set that I have.

[@Rainbowkittenism]

@@PotentPrintables Not sure I'm crafty enough for that so might just have to wipe them off a lot lol.

[@JohnyPatrick]

This is so good. I've come to a similar solution for my 3d prints. I didn't want to paint them but almost majority do this. I feel like what's the point of filaments if this is the case. Anyhow, I've ordered a sanding hand tool (small and compact) and I think I'm going to order the wood burner too.

[@Magnamhut]

The Woodburning is smoother than my enemies brains

[@mykahhancock3512]

what tool do you use for wood burning? And what 3d pen do you use?

[@daniellaschaening4470]

I'm late to this but i would really appreciate more detail on the stainless steel tips!

[@elysegambino1597]

I like that you mentioned that you sanded for 30 minutes, how long did you use the wood burner for?

[@elysegambino1597]

Oops I just got an answer by finishing the video 😉👍🏼

[@pchykins6680]

how about a rotary tool? Dremel offers lots of abrasive tips...i think it would work too

[@55djaki]

How do you keep your soldering iron clean while smoothing? I keep getting little bits of burnt plastic stuck to the project

[@PotentPrintables]

I use a paper towel, folded over twice into a small square. I wipe the tip frequently because I am paranoid about ruining the model I am working on. If you are getting little burnt pieces coming off your model it might mean that you have the temperature too high on your smoothing tool.

[@denchuesh3928]

Hi! Can I use this pen for creating plastic details for home. Want to hang the load on it. Is it suitable for this?

[@Justwayne88]

Interesting video I enjoyed it I like all the different methods, i have never tried the gloop and probably now never will, as you have proved light file and sand then soldering iron wood burner best way. Have you tried a heat gun that works or same principal small blow torch but move fast to prevent burning ?

[@PotentPrintables]

Thank you! I have tried a small handheld heating torch but it either melts too much or too little- it is very difficult to control.

[@coraloverdostahan1232]

Hello! Thank you very much for your video! Is it possible to use 3D Gloop just for a shine finishing? can I mix it with glitter? Thank you!

[@brahmananda196b]

Great experiments and clearly explained with out stupid overused twinkly music. I was curious to know if a small diameter hot gun would work to smooth the plastic. Hmmm....

[@raffaelepanella8868]

Your smooth was a smooth smooth

[@arthurlino4362]

how did you make the stainless steel tips ?

[@GiancarloCurti]

I’d like to know a little more about the silver tips you mentioned

[@elderlycorndog]

here this video contains info about them and where you can get them kzbin.info/www/bejne/moLaZapvjMyLmbM

[@zambiekill7046]

To be onest I just add more and while it's hot and I use the side of the metal to smooth the plastic. Not the best but still works

[@spencerurry6167]

Does the wood burner method mix the colors together

[@PotentPrintables]

It can end up smearing them together if you dwell too long in one spot. I use a fine pointed tip at color transitions, to minimize any blending.

[@Jinx6670]

How did you make your tips??

[@DJDaisho]

my personal preference is actually a handheld battery dremel . . . can get one fairly cheap from walmart( HART - one of the better options imho) and a pretty comprehensive bits kit from harbor freight (the oval one is the best) and then all it takes is practice tyo figure out which bits do what to the PLA or ABS . . . also the 3d smoother stuff is a waste of money . . . PLA responds to acetone the same way, and ABS responds to alcohol the same way

[@anettebianca6855]

you have a lot of patience omw - thumbs up just for that 😂😂😂

[@michaelkinsey7667]

Whats the name of the red pen i want to buy one

[@gamerjoe5026]

will the brass tips always leave stains even if you sand it after ??it will be help full if you answer thanks.

[@PotentPrintables]

Yes, it will still leave stains. I have not had good luck removing the stains, even with sanding.

[@lyhardgaming1909]

nice butterfly and pen

[@christophernanchen7525]

Aceton smoke?

[@vahramchilingaryan1175]

That’s what I need I always thought how to smooth it out 😅🎉🎉

[@emboli]

Try wood burning, then filler spray, then sanding once with heavy grit then sanding once with fine grit then black spray paint over the top

[@HairySeagull]

How do you clean the woodburner tip while smoothing?

[@PotentPrintables]

I use a folded up paper towel.

[@Evasion_optimus]

I use a soldering gun

[@yuiop271]

When is it better to use a 3D pen instead of using polymer clay? Clay seems easier and you get a nice surface directly. Is there any object that 3D-pen is the best method for? Or is it just about wich tool you find most Joy with?

[@yuiop271]

(If you have’nt watched clayclaim on youtube, Do :) )

[@PotentPrintables]

This is a very interesting question! I think each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion 3D Pen has these advantages over polymer clay: - Different types of filament that can be used (PLA, flexible filament, see through filament, etc.) - These very different filaments allow for a very wide variety of applications, which can all be combined into the same model if you like. - High strength to weight of plastic (can make much longer and thinner models/structures without them breaking. Clay can be very brittle). - Easier to make hollow models and integrate electronics Hope this helps!

[@yuiop271]

Potent Printables Thanks for the answer! 👍🏼 :)

[@yuiop271]

Ooh I think I might need a 3D pen. When I want to modify allready existing things made of plastic and its not possible to bake the hole thing in the owen. And if I first modify clay so it will fit to the plastic it gets desorted when I remove it for the baking. For these cases Ive tried meltable plastic (small plastic pearls that melts in hot water and harden when it gets colder) But it wasnt really good.

[@saraa_90006]

يا قدمي آخر مره شفت المقطع من ٣ سنوات ❤

[@KAGE8008]

What about a soldering iron

[@PotentPrintables]

That can work also. Wood burning tools generally have much shorter handles though, which give you way better control. I talk and show examples of this in my "How to 3D Pen: Advanced" video.

[@KAGE8008]

Potent Printables thank you so much keep up the good work