Torchin' PLA [Smoothing 3D prints]

[@DIY3DTECHcom]

What you might want to try is an SMD soldering station as they come with a hot air reflow iron and you can set the temperature. Works better with ABS than PLA...

[@XerotoLabs]

ooh fantastic idea . now i have another great reason for a SMD station .

[@thatradkid]

i was just thinking of using mine for this!!

[@freeelectron8261]

Thanks for the tip - I have an SMD station. I'll give it a try.

[@rupert274]

My hair dryer melted my carpet so I wonder if that wouldn't be hot enough.

[@reforgedcriterion1471]

I saw a video where they used acetone vapors to smooth out abs and the first thing I thought was I bet someone has mastered using a small torch to smooth out other plastics!! Haha so this was the first video I found and while you definitely haven't mastered it (as of this video anyway) you've definitely shown that it is possible and that you can at least change the surface from dull to glossy. I'm certain that with some practice this will be a completely viable way to smooth out plastics. And much easier than sanding!

[@XerotoLabs]

on bidder parts you also 'weld' plastic back together. It works best on larger or thicker perimeters. It's a shame that some of the filaments that acetone used to work on now don't very well. Pure ABS will acetone and torch smoothes very well. ( don't do both at the same time LOL )

[@fastslash25]

To keep the tip on the iron from breaking away keep solder on it at all times.

[@XerotoLabs]

True. Yep i have tried just about every thing , after a few months the ceramic catalyst will become loose . I have the habit of coating my irons in solder all the time and just before storing them with a nice thick dip of solder. heck i have had one that the tip melted open to reveal it has a solder like liquid core. I was mid solder too , but then i dont tend to expect much from cheapo irons . my Weller butane has replaceable tips in front of the heating area , the iron is about 10years old , the heating area is original , and i put a new tip on last winter . works like a charm, Its just built better i suppose . i just dont have any luck with the small burnzomatic soldering tips. the torch is fine .. just their tips . the last one i had you could replace the tip but it died when the catalyst became lose.

[@usingtheirhypocracyagainst8636]

and so far the first two pieces either burned or warped. not my idea of a good method.

[@spaers1]

Nice video, some people don't undertand that this is just an alternative as there's no actual smothing process for PLA.

[@XerotoLabs]

Yeah, you have to have some fancy not quite PLA for chemical smoothing.

[@powderslinger5968]

weld-on 16 acrylic cement works just fine for PLA.

[@powderslinger5968]

weld-on 16 acrylic cement.

[@zgo280]

subbed for your skill level on commentary!! im new to printing but this really seems like the best way. great vid!

[@XerotoLabs]

Thanks . as DIY3DTECH.com said , as soldering station with controlled heat air flow for SMD work would probably be netter in the long run , but they can be pricey for those starting out . the upside is no exposed flame , and you can set a temp that better matches the PLA your are using . I dont have a SMD soldering station .. yet , or i would do a video on that,

[@daveyhi3154]

you can get cheap chinese ones on ebay for ~ $70

[@zgo280]

Another dept at work has a hot air solder station and im trying to find a time to go and use it. *Ninja skills: Activated*

[@XerotoLabs]

cool.

[@XerotoLabs]

you can get them in USA for like 60$ from one seller , but he wont ship to Canada . LOL figures. a friend bought one and he said its just the Chinese being resold. dude must have imported bulk . but he wont ship to Canada .

[@billreed986]

Thanks for the video I'll give it a shot, been using wet sand primer and lots of elbow grease

[@XerotoLabs]

nothing beats sanding final results when you take the time. torching .. if you are good at it and lucky, you can save some good time.

[@jivinhipcat]

It puts the lotion on the skin

[@michellesreborns]

That's the name of the clampy thing with the spring in it that you were using?

[@XerotoLabs]

Cross-Leg Soldering Tweezer. they have fiber or wood grips to protect your fingers , and also function at a heat sync . If you live in Canada Princess Auto sells em like this , and some come with different ends just like other tweezers. Well thats what i was thinking you meant .

[@reluttr2]

Will this work on PETG?

[@XerotoLabs]

not sure. I have not used PETG yet. need to finish my bigger printer for that. but if it melts in FDM then a torch used carefully, or even bet hot air rework station should be even better. I would say print a small test and try very carefully over a fire safe surface outside because some plastics give off real bad fumes and can really burn fast once they reach a flame.

[@daveyhi3154]

It sounds nice in principle but you ruined 3 of 4 prints. The only one that survived is the one that had very little smoothing.

[@XerotoLabs]

hah yeah , i was not paying attention to flame as much as if i was not also working a camera . LOL

[@powderslinger5968]

Can you post a successful attempt?

[@grindel80]

please speak loud and clear. you are whispering :(

[@bunkerdec64]

Because is batman

[@powderslinger5968]

So...Very poor results at best and wrecked parts at worst.....Why did you even post this? It clearly FAILED.

[@XerotoLabs]

Flyboy BC because if you watched the whole video and listened you would understand those were just some quick samples. With practice and bit of time you end up with smooth and way stronger parts.

[@powderslinger5968]

weld-on 16 acrylic cement

[@powderslinger5968]

Can you post a successful attempt?

[@ryanwalker1341]

You keep saying weld on 16 acrylic cement with no other explanation, care to elaborate? As a glue? To rub on???