Things you should know about ABS

In this video, we'll take a look at how to best 3D print and tune ABS - and what ABS even is! There isn't just one type of ABS or ABS-like material, after all.
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[@silviustro1]

Paint it, glue it, drill it, mill it, tap it, weld it, or just smooth it.

[@WaaaghNL]

Fits with Daft Punk - Harder Better Faster kzbin.info/www/bejne/nXLNg2eVeMeDprM

[@donibeh]

Ronald van Heugten that's exactly what i was thinking

[@traewatkins931]

I was wondering how long he practiced that for the video.

[@tomasv1971]

Ronald van Heugten you mean technologic

[@no-trick-pony]

That line really earned him the thumbs-up and the sub. I laughed so hard. xD

[@71kalauer]

It is so good to see, that there are people around, that don't just do reviews of the latest gearbest offer, but invest lots of time to compile lots of valuable information and put these in one video. I think this was one oft the best youtube videos on 3D printing I ever saw. So sad I can't give several thumbs up.

[@sikolikhole]

I was in the middle if sparking a cigarette as he said "then again, people still choose to smoke". Time to stop.

[@tophatvideosinc.5858]

How's that going a year later?

[@sikolikhole]

@@tophatvideosinc.5858 well. I'm no quitter so I put it down again. Been 1yr free of cigarettes. Chew on the other hand is so damn good.

[@navidmehdi6]

@@sikolikhole that's great. And thank you to Thomas for being the catalyst to stop that.

[@NeoIsrafil]

I'm in the middle of smoking a cigarette... Not planning on stopping any time soon.. lol😂

[@JamieBainbridge]

Could someone PLEASE remix that Daft Punk reference into an actual song?

[@CiaranWhelan]

Maybe better if we can get Tom to print eSun ABS white.... challenge accepted?

[@MiggyManMike]

Glad I'm not the only one who heard that, there is the daft punk keyboard, I wonder if we could get a Tom's specific version made ? :P

[@angeljoy5234]

That some nice meme material

[@RichRap3D]

Totally needs to happen - I'm amazed Tom didn't just mix it right into the video :)

[@angeljoy5234]

I always wonder if there was actually a meme page dedicated for 3d printing

[@chapinb18]

I have ZERO interest in printing ABS but your videos are still worth watching. I learned about the min layer time today that solved many of my nylon issues. Thank you!

[@Ryan-uz2cr]

First off, I love the videos. Second I mostly print abs, I actually find it easier than pla. I have an Anet A8, and my settings are as follows, nozzle temp 240c bed 80c and a coating of abs juice on the aluminum bed and no enclosure. 0.3mm first layer height .1-.2 mm for the rest of the print . 15-50% infill. This works great for me and I hope someone found it useful.

[@neeooww]

Same here it is awesome, do those settings work well for overhangs? I have a new lot of abs from a different supplier and no matter what I am getting bad print artifacts at maybe 45°

[@mashman84]

@@neeooww i print alot of ABS, the 2 i usually print including one branded lonenessl available on amazon handles overhangs great, i purchased a no brand "premium" roll and it wont do an overhang no matter what i do so it could be the filament is your problem

[@ripmax333]

no enclosure? I think you the first That I heard saying that.

[@lloydrmc]

"ABS juice" Learn something every day. Thank you Matter Hackers and especially @Ryan for bringing it up to begin with.

[@Sticknmove77]

@@ripmax333 ABS is toxic, right?

[@tb303wpf1]

"Then again, people still choose to smoke" Best statement ever!! HAHAHAH! 😂😂😂

[@jakefuller79]

Lol right!!

[@warisali6614]

Prant

[@76Richie19]

Awesome Darf Punk reference ! Great video

[@danielconway7190]

I love Darf Punk

[@MrDevilFlash]

27 minutes too late :D

[@tuxontour]

Even so I thought the same

[@timorouw5555]

@@danielconway7190 same, darf punk is the bom

[@xirtus]

please never cut a knife towards your own thumb again

[@harrysstuff-n-such2062]

I just got into 3D printing a few weeks ago assembling an Anet A8 and really enjoying it thus far. So much so I'm neglecting my gaming (have not played ESO once since I got started printing). Anyway, thanks for the ABS info, especially since I started to build an enclosure for the A8 in preparation to expand to using ABS in the future. Look forward to any future vid on PETG...I use PETG tubing when water cooling my PCs and it would be fun to incorporate PETG printed parts into that...

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video. I use mostly ABS because it can bond to itself using acetone. That bond is typically stronger than the layer adhesion. Can also mix up a slurry to patch small gaps/defects in your prints. 😊

[@ReinAurre]

This is especially useful for making bigger things out of smaller parts. I do wish there was something else out there with equal or better strength/flexibility and acetone bonding/filling while being less of a pain to print than ABS.

[@Sillysillylittleman]

It's a very useful bit of knowledge, I often fix my kids toys which are made from abs with this slurry it's basically welding ABS plastic with ABS. Not a lot of people know about it but so many things can be permanently fixed with this method you can even just paint on with a brush to make thicker parts

[@TotoGuy-Original]

It would have been good to discuss filtering methods for abs no one seems to do much of that. It may not be covered under abs basics but I think it is a subject that needs to be covered and there is not enough information out there about it

[@stockhuman]

Fun fact: I learned of ABS as the material LEGO is made of before knowing about out plastics or materials in general. It's knowledge that was strangely seared into my mind at age 7.

[@alexsimon1410]

Brilliant information. So fast it almost needs watching twice! I think this one beats the PLA one for me, as I think perhaps you took people's familiarity with PLA for granted a little.

[@ussrover]

when you do PET, PETG etc video can you also include post processing (food grade) thanks (it is for one of my future projects

[@KriLL325783]

In theory all 3d printer plastics can be "food grade" though honestly it's hard to say for sure since they add additives without telling you, problem is the crevices etc especially between layers where undesired material like dirt and grime can build up and make a nice habitat for germs, solution is simple really, coat it in something that smooths it out, thick layer of primer and paint, or some kind of lacquer etc. As long as that material is food safe and you get enough coverage in the cracks and corners to fill them you should be solid.

[@ussrover]

hit it on the head what I'm looking for are "finishing" products that are food safe and dishwasher safe (high temp)

[@KriLL325783]

Oh, sorry not a clue haven't looked into that, good question though... The dishwasher bit is pretty tricky I imagine? most normal lacquers and paints should do for food safe you can wipe/wash carefully manually though.

[@spunkmire2664]

So this is what I use for my food grade items i print. I also keep a printer for just food safe items. taulman3d.com/680-features.html

[@DennisJHarrisonJrHere]

Look at products from master bond for dishwasher safe. For hand wash, use Shellac.

[@normcaissie5598]

Love the new filament videos Tom. Keep it up.

[@floriworidikkedori]

Great video Tom! If I print ABS it's basically to have cheap replacement parts for my printer (since most ABS is quite cheap, and it can withstand the heat from the hotend), and I print it at about 255-260°C with 5-10% fan (which I know most people are very sceptical about, but it works for me). There's definitely better options out there, but most of them are more expensive (I paid twice as much for my roll of PC, and about 40% more for standard PETG), so for personal use I tend to stick with ABS for higher-heat purposes.

[@sinformant]

Flor Sanders it is astonishing how many different methods people use to print abs. I have to seal my printer water tight with 0% fan to get abs to print well. I've had long prints fail because the door moved slightly and had a tiny crack letting in a small amount of outside air. The largest part of the hovalin I was printing suffered and warped badly and separated all over causing cracks. Also one abs I have prints well at 235°+ and another the sweet spot is 225°.

[@boomerangfreak]

Flor Sanders yeah same here, just sucks that atm with winter temps I'm having a lot of issues with cracking. Running in a semi enclosed chamber but the moment I fully enclose it my hotend fails

[@davidniemi4051]

I've been thinking of electronic bits getting too warm in an enclosure also and am trying to come up with a way to duct outside air appropriately to the electronic bits with some sort of ~1" / 25.4 cm very flexible hose & low speed outside fan(s). With the hot end also need to consider backlash on fast direction changes with light spring / elastic to keep some pretension on the hose.

[@floriworidikkedori]

I run it in an Ikea wardrobe with the doors closed, so nothing to crazy, and by letting the bed get to 100°C a few minutes (keeping the doors closed) before starting the print (through octoprint) works fine. For bed adhesion I use ABS juice, glue stick didn't seem to cut it but this never disappointed me.

[@TheBoojah]

I can also vouch for printing with a part cooling fan, for me at 20-40%. Requires a hot print temp for good layer adhesion, and a really good bed adhesion solution. Buildtak at 120 deg C worked well for adhesion, but be careful as it is easy to overdo the adhesion and risk ruining the buildtak when trying to remove the parts. With the fan on, the print comes out with great overhangs and detail, and there is less dimensional shrinkage which otherwise can ruin mechanical parts.

[@sittttam]

wow your Video series is so high quality and informative. Great Stuff, excited for more!

[@ErtsenPlayGames]

I use only ABS everywhere,abs with acetone is best glue paint etc . Abs its simple to cut ,work with it, sand ,glue (just use drop of acetone) etc. Printing ABS ....hmmmm no cooling 100*C on bed 243-245 hotend add few % to flow ,after bed heat aply abs with acetone (ad acetone to reach something around tea) and aply smal amount on pre heated glass (yes after it reach 90*C ++) and i newer get problems when it cool down (sry for my eng)

[@brucejackson5898]

Sebastian Nurkowski totally agree about printing with ABS. I exclusively use ABS PC, way superior than crappy PLA. If you look into how the industrial FDM printers work their warping is greatly reduced than the warped parts in Tom's video. What a laugh at the box he has, he needs a heated box, not just the platform.

[@lightshadown]

if you also use Buildtak for the heatbed it Really improves the adhesion, it actually becomes a print and forget situation.

[@baz6128]

Hi Sebastian, I agree. ABS is by far the easiest to post process (sanding, solvent-welding, etc). I also think the raw printed surface is better than with PLA.

[@alang6402]

Such good videos Tom. Tight, concise and so much good stuff. The best nugget for me there is extending minimum layer time to overcome melting in small features.

[@SM89-]

7:10 queue the draft punk music. Technologic!

[@julianstaniewski1371]

7:12 call him rap god

[@Stevieboy130664]

Fantastic channel! I have learnt so much in just a couple of days.

[@MolecularLevel]

besides the temperature resistance (which, if anything, have particular applications), why would any1 prefer ABS vs PETG?; been using PETG almost as often as PLA and is fantastic, no enclosure needed, no fumes, love it!

[@REDACT3D]

7:12 this needs to be remixed in the style of daft punk ^.^ keep up the good work bud

[@jackass123455]

paint it, glue it, drill it, mill it, tap it, weld it, smooth it...... 3d print it 3d print it. a daft punk techno logic parody.

[@bilbodd2777]

Very informative! especially the daft punk bit :)

[@Ohio_Hobbies_Guy]

This helps. My temps were too cold so it would pop off.

[@slicerjohn1897]

I have never used ABS because it still seems to be more trouble than it's worth, but I have found the perfect bed adhesion for PLA on my CR-10S I was thinking of making a short video on it but I haven't got round to it yet.

[@RossosHEX]

I've been lurking in this channel for long, and I finally found the opportunity to comment on something. I don't know if it was intentional or unintentional reference, but your listing of actions that could be performed on the ABS plastics immediately reminded me about "Daft Punk - Technologic" :D With the opportunity I would also like to thank you for the amazing content you put out to the world to see and learn from!

[@MakeItClever]

I like your studio setup.

[@noahboa3252]

Why do you have this big bag of ABS granules?

[@_____7704]

Nice jumper dude - greetings from straya

[@antonyking3296]

The idea is at least making people think about recycling. My small concern would be the way it grabs the end of the filament. If you are a high filament user and enough to make this a decent saver then you most likely have a filament run out sensor... would the gnarly end just make this a little unusable?

[@me1ne]

the "technologic" reference brought a big smile to my face, big thumbs up :)

[@jetblackstar]

Awesome daft punk injection there. Very smooth!

[@BoxJockey]

Would you recommend ABS for a part that will spend the majority of its time submerged in chlorinated pool water, or is there a better alternative for that use case?

[@jesseblanchard9609]

Box Jockey ABS will be fine, but print them two at a time and that way you always have an extra ;)

[@Thinkyhead]

Apparently it's "byoo-tah-dye-een." Quite a mouthful!

[@joehumpston7937]

Thinkyhead Software that’s why we say ABS!

[@MaxC_1]

more accurately Byoot-a-die-ene (or dye-een sounds same)

[@luhinets]

proper job! keep it up! thanks for good and meaningful review!

[@rklauco]

Thanks for the great video. Will there be one with a bit more details on ASA?

[@bigbjoern]

If You do make an PETG episode, could you add a section how to glue it. I mean, wich glue types work and wich do not. Thanks in advance.

[@SianaGearz]

Nice Daft Punk Technologic bit!

[@charliedidio7421]

Thanks again Tom

[@alexmediagroup8971]

Hey! I was wondering a while ago about what you use that big bag of plastic pellets for. It would be great if you could tell me even though I don't think you will see this comment. :(

[@csvega]

I have spent a fortune on trying to glue a ABS print I ordered. 2 part epoxy, pipe cement, super glue, you name it. Nothing is holding at all :(

[@Jamesn-js1zp]

Hi Thomas, I live in a tropical location where the humidity is always 80-90%. I'm new to 3D printing and still trying to decide which is machine is best and or even if it will be possible to achieve good quality prints because of the humidity. Ideally I'm wanting to print ABS, PLA, TPE and eLastic. Printers I'm looking at are either the Prusa MK3 or Creality CR-10S. Any input regarding machines and or humidity from you would be greatly appreciated.

[@mortarriding3913]

Glad you did this one! I remember a while ago you were a bit critical of ABS, and it was actually interesting to hear you talk about the large variation in the plastic. I've experienced this. The varying types can result in massive differences in print quality, AND mechanical properties. And the same seems to be true of ASA. Wish there was a more clear and concise way of grading the material for 3D printing.

[@RayMerrell68]

Thanks Thom. I was having a nightmare trying to print off some stands for my heated bed. It kept coming out like hair. I watch it for 2 hours as my heating came on every 30 minutes and I could see the print degrading every time it switched off. I put the printer in an enclosure this morning and it's printing like a dream right now. I also fixed the filament rate after watching your video on that too :) So, you've helped my solve 3 problems in one day... My environmental temps, my flow rate and what the hell I was going to do with that massive server enclosure I was stuck with since the server went past it's sell-by date. :D

[@EPortillo5000]

Have to try to print ABS in our 35 to 40°C afternoons maybe will have not too bad results ;)

[@themightyparthos]

I have a one hundred percent sure fire way of getting perfect ABS prints. ... Farm the job out to someone else!

[@WorldLeadersPlayground]

Great Video!

[@GenevaBell]

Is there a such thing as food grade ABS and is that safe? I was told by a company that advertises to be BPA-free, that they use food grade ABS for their water bottle casings. I was relieved to find out that they don't use BPF or BPS but I've never heard of ABS, let alone food grade abs and it's difficult to find information on this online. Was hoping that you could shed some light on that.

[@arbjful]

What about tap holes?? I ordered some abs parts which have M5 tap holes, unfortunately the taps are not strong enough, the threads stripped off after a few turns of the M5 bolt. I am now thinking of using a hex bolt shaped recess that will hold a M5 bolt in place

[@ryangill9518]

Can''t wait for the next one. I'm feeling some PETG ;)

[@LucasHartmann]

You can do so much stuff with ABS it kinda sounded like you were playing bop-it.

[@Tynted]

This series is absolutely excellent, Thomas, thank you for this. These will really cut down the guess work for a ton of people. Also, I have to say that your picky sponsorship policy of only allowing quality products to sponsor you on your videos, along with your blunt and honest reviews/livestreams are two of the reasons I keep coming back. Keep up the good work!

[@dylankirdahy9591]

You are by far the best source of information on 3D printing online. I cannot thank you enough for these incredibly well done and informative videos

[@audacity_chang7668]

Very helpful thx

[@plainchalk2953]

What brand do you recommend for printing with PLA?

[@TheAlwaysImprovingGarage]

I'm good at printing ABS, but don't really like it. The fumes aren't worth the risk IMO, and my printer isn't the most enclosure friendly without excessive work. PETG for me :)

[@AndrewHelgeCox]

How good is the rough glass bed of a Sidewinder X1 for ABS?

[@KacKLaPPeN23]

Damn if ABS warps like that, imagine how much of a nightmare 3D printing PBT would be.

[@hammy2439]

Could you do one with PETG?

[@BrainSlugs83]

Daft Punk @7:12, "Paint it, glue it, drill it, mill it, tap it, weld it, or just smooth it!"

[@r5cpt]

Polycarbonate is NOT similar to ABS in any way, and that includes extrusion/3D printing properties. Please stop spreading misinformation to your all-too-eager audience.

[@machazard009]

Hi Thomas, your videos are really great and helps me print my ideas everyday. I usually print using PLA filament on my sunhokey prusa i3 acrylic frame 3d printer. Recently I purchased conductive ABS filament which requires proper chamber and everything so it doesn't warp. Since my printer structure is pure acrylic and its melting temperature is 135Degrees, I cannot use chamber to print my abs prints. I was wondering if i purchase a hot air hair styler and direct the hot air towards the bed from some distance to keep the air warm just near the bed area; will it help? My printer will be not in chamber and it may prevent some acrylic melting. Have you come across anyone who has tried this out? Thank you for your time.

[@microcontrolledbot]

The link no longer works. It looks like they have removed the "shop." sub-domain.

[@hardgore5814]

is that ok to enclose 3d printer? when i touch motor right after 4 hours of print it so hot as hotend that makes me worry about it.

[@BBFPV]

After adding a cardboard box, ABS printing is much better, even small parts.

[@jackass123455]

question what sort of filament would you recomend for high heat resistance (say in a car on a hot 30+c summer day (inside temps up to maybe even beyond 80c) that could be printed to a non heated bed (i know i know a heated be is favorable but i'm just starting and want to make bits for the interior of my car. like mounts etc for things like usb ports into trim pannels.

[@jasonbailey9139]

@7:11 Thomas almost breaks into a cover of Daft Punk's Technologic

[@ConsultingjoeOnline]

Very interesting in deed. :) I like PLA best.

[@MileyonDisney]

Very informative and helpful. Thanks!

[@DogmaFaucet]

~5:25 A printer is OK in a chamber heated to around 40°C. "even if you have non-PLA printed parts on it". Maybe "especially if you have non-PLA parts on it"? Or did you mean to say that PLA is OK at 40°C?

[@VerstehenSieMathis]

I think he meant "Even if you have printed parts on it, as long as they're not PLA"

[@FredoCorleone]

It would be better to not exceed 30°C.

[@kdecoensel]

Just loved the Daft Punk reference ! Hope they don't sue you ! ;-)

[@jakefuller79]

Slow and steady is best

[@Antipico]

Great information, although recommending 40’C for the enclosure is way too low and still causes warping and cracking especially on large parts. I’d recommend going for 80-85’C, which is above glass transition temperature of ABS and thus gives almost no warping. (:

[@TheVexinator]

Nice Daft Punk style riff there. Paint it, glue it, drill it, mill it, tap it, weld it, or just smooth it. =P

[@RJay18k]

whats thicker 1/8 or 3/32?

[@BelviGER]

Okay so to summarize: It: smells, warps, emits gas, leaves gunk on hotend, needs an enclosure, is finicky with tuning, has to be printed on heated bed, creates elephantfoots, is weaker, has layer adhesion issues, needs a removal agent on the most comon print surface and there is a good chance that the blend you receive is not suitable for 3d printing What did I forget? It feels like somebody created a matrix of 3d printing materials and was looking for a worst case material

[@davidlestrange9153]

Lol daft punk technologic

[@primemac3dstudio18]

I have started out with PLA. I learned all about its setup. I loved the way it worked and was able to print many times with out any issues. So by an error in search trying to get PLA on Amazon it sent me ABS. I expect it would be nice to test out the other so I tested printing. I have had nothing but issues with ABS. From failed prints. To flat out prints that just fail half way with no issues with the temp. Yet every once and a while I get a print. Now there is no reason why a 13 hour print failed 5 times then the 6th one is successful. In fact I have tested PLA in many prints and have had massive successful prints. Yet when ABS I have had nothing but problems. I know we got some die hard ABS fans. Yet I have done the proper tests. Evaluated the temp issues. My filament is new and its PLA was rather perfect. I have to say ABS temp issue seems to be the bonding issue. Now I have tested this many times. Then I switched to PLA to see if I had any issues. That is when oddly 5 prints printed perfectly. Yet I go through 10 failed prints to 1 successful print. Now I have zero Idea why people like this Item. I printed another product that I use in the house. The PLA has no issue. Yet ABS has strength problem. I did some checking and found that ABS seems to have a bonding issue as it breaks instead of bends. PLA tends to bend to prevent breaking. I must say not a fan of ABS.

[@cameronyoung2004]

7:11 how many takes did you need for that tongue twister

[@fCauneau]

Very very complete and interesting : thanks !!

[@carlosjosejimenezbermudez9255]

Loved the daft punk reference!

[@sebamop]

Carlos Jose Jimenez Bermudez I need someone to remix it with music

[@kloakovalimonada]

I must say that for some reason I like printing ABS more and more. When done right, the sturdiness and surface quality is almost injection molding quality. Also I feel like a grownup printing that shit 😂

[@LucianoRTech3D]

Good video. I'm using ABS on my 3d Action Figures.

[@NackDSP]

I bought a cheap micrometer and measured my first layer thickness (measured the brim). My printer apparently expected 0.2 mm thick "paper" when leveling the bed. Now my 0.2 mm first layer is actually 0.2 mm. I then adjusted the first layer temperature to get the desired bed adhesion. For my Monoprice Maker Ultimate with stock surface, that is 255C with bed at 100C. Hotter and I almost have to chisel the part off. Cooler and it pops off too easily.

[@muzkur]

I'm newbie in 3D printer and started with ABS. Why? Cheapest filament I found. I like the results, but studying a lot to print better pieces. Maybe if I print pla in the future, will be more easier after that "torture" with abs. lol

[@baz6128]

Diese aktuelle Serie ist sehr interessant. Ich freue mich auf weitere Folgen!

[@cinnap1212]

what’s the strongest filament’s name that can suffer the temperature of the sun?

[@Martin-zo8lz]

Petg next please

[@caseyb1346]

I live in Texas and it is currently 38 celsius in my garage. Would that be a good environment to print ABS?

[@charlestonsoke3484]

1:33 *Forbidden Rice*

[@frankenjstein9371]

Used to be all about ABS. I discovered PLA+. There is a special ABS from 3D printLife that I'm saving for a future project.

[@kenolynyk4512]

This ABS is used for the gasket on my lint screen, in the base of my LG front loading washer. Have just ordered a 3rd one, as the gasket breaks down. Could there be something more durable out there? Disappointed in its short life. Do you have a suggestion?

[@Kam12321]

Hey I’m having issues getting abs to stick to my bed it sticks for the first few layers then either folds up into itself or just starts sliding around the bed. If anyone could help that would be much appreciated

[@lukes7001]

I don't understand why this video doesn't cover the issue of ABS sticking too well. Makes us think it is hard to stick while in the meantime it gets glued to my smooth pei sheet (ASA is even worse!) and even pulls of pieces of the pei. Yes it warps and cracks without an enclosure, but the first layer, and especially those nasty brims are the hardest to remove. Any idea how to prevent this?

[@H1zN]

Make a Video about PETG. I think PETG is a under estimated material. I print all my stuff with PETG. I think, PETG is a perfect mix between PLA for easy print and durability from ABS.

[@tophatvideosinc.5858]

Yeah the final boss filament is POM. it doesn't stick to the build plate, it doesn't stick to itself, glue doesn't work, it can be melted with chemicals and it's so temperature sensitive that even a cool person being near it could cause it to warp. You need a printer enclosure that can do 100°f minimum and have to print on porous material like wood or coarse paper, you also have to engineer shrink tolerance into it.