# Resin printer primer. Help me out please **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 21, 2022, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173 "2022-01-21T14:46:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/41 "2022-01-27T22:38:50Z")
These are some great results, especially for a first run. ( I looked at the stuff in your other thread too) Totally impressed! What a great idea to slot the steps for the figure base. You are making this look easy. Any chance you could post a pic of a figure with the supports still connected? Just to get an idea what they look like. The figures I buy are so smooth you’d never know they had supports. However, I’ve seen larger designs online that have dozens of supports still attached for sale. Is that a difference between filament and resin printers? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/42 "2022-01-27T22:45:44Z")
Filament and resin printers both require supports, but I’ve found I can usually get away with fewer of them with resin printers. I don’t have a real-life pic handy, but here’s what the supports look like in the slicing program: [![](https://i.imgur.com/yHXPdw3.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/yHXPdw3.png) Those are just the autogenerated ones. I’d spend some time optimizing those further when actually trying to print it. The supports actually come off pretty easily for the most part. You’ll notice on large, smooth surfaces but not so much on anything with surface texture. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/43 "2022-01-28T21:49:14Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Could I do something like my own 28mm buildings with this? Unless you’re doing something like [the Peter B. Lewis building](https://allthingsclevelandohio.blogspot.com/2007/12/interesting-cleveland-architecture.html) at Case Western Reserve University, buildings are easy. I imagine that you could design good buildings with any program whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/44 "2022-01-28T22:02:23Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > The supports actually come off pretty easily for the most part. You’ll notice on large, smooth surfaces but not so much on anything with surface texture. So you have to manually remove the supports when the printing is done? > [@Chronos](#): > > I imagine that you could design good buildings with any program whatsoever. I was thinking about something like a witch’s hut, Hobbit house or [this](https://3dexport.com/3dmodel-the-hut-on-chicken-legs-baba-yaga-190624.htm). I couldn’t remember what it was called so I had to google it and the first thing up was a 3D file for sale. Apparently you are correct. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/45 "2022-01-28T22:43:17Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > So you have to manually remove the supports when the printing is done? Yep. I use a pair of micro cutters, like these: [![](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71QGl0rv6rL%2E_SL1500_.jpg) ](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71QGl0rv6rL%2E_SL1500_.jpg) Many times you can just sorta bend them and they’ll snap off. Other times require more finesse. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/46 "2022-01-28T22:45:43Z")
Incidentally, there are dual-head filament printers where you can load normal filament into one side and a special dissolving support filament in the other. For those, you just plunk the printed object into some kind of solvent and wait. But most printers, whether resin or filament, require removing the supports manually. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/47 "2022-01-28T23:17:08Z")
One of the few tools I don’t own. I just ordered a pair. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/48 "2022-01-28T23:20:26Z")
Yeah, that specific style is very handy for support removal. The sharp tips can get into deep spots, and the rear side is flush–so when you trim off a flat surface, there’s almost no remaining material. I always liked the Hakko brand. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/49 "2022-01-29T07:38:41Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > Yep. I use a pair of micro cutters, like these: Already have a couple of those from models that come on sprues, so I’m good to go there. Now that you guys have answered all my questions and showed off your work, I think you have forced me to go ahead and buy a printer. Just have to figure out if I want to get it now at our vacation place or wait a few weeks until we get back to our main home. Decisions, decisions. ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/50 "2022-01-29T17:52:55Z")
Final question, I think. Is this the correct kind of [resin](https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07G3663HD/?coliid=I1I4TICV3LYAT&colid=3AN642R8CJDB8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) to buy so I can use just water baths and not alcohol baths? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2022, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/51 "2022-01-29T18:18:15Z")
I don’t think so. The stuff I’m using says Water Washable on the label. I bought: _ELEGOO Water Washable 3D Printer Resin LCD UV-Curing Resin 405nm Standard Photopolymer Resin for LCD 3D Printing 1000Gram Ceramic Grey_ ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2022, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/52 "2022-01-30T18:53:43Z")
Got it, thanks. Should have figured that out myself. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2022, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/53 "2022-02-12T17:22:15Z")
A bunch of recent prints. > [@DIY and Hobby projects, small to big. Pictures of course](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diy-projects-small-to-big-pictures-of-course/957910/43): > > Recently painted or repainted minis. Mostly printed including some super fine detail mushrooms. I just started printing clear. The resin is even lower odor than the grey washable I started with. Works very well and is very clear. [[image]](https://postimg.cc/XpFM6bVq)[[image]](https://postimg.cc/QFr2Xytb) [[image]](https://postimg.cc/rz76Hm27)[[image]](https://postimg.cc/NLKqbXS1) I am having a hard time adjusting the prints so the bases remove from the plate fairly easily. I’m working on this part. I just started with clear. The resin is even lower odor than the grey washable I started with. Works very well and is very clear. I am having a hard time adjusting the prints so the bases remove from the plate fairly easily. I’m working on this part. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/54 "2022-02-18T20:31:57Z")
For filament printers, the standard method for that is to put a layer of masking tape on the bed. Masking tape itself might not work here, with being immersed in the resin liquid, but there might be something similar. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/55 "2022-02-18T20:41:39Z")
Resin printers are pretty different. For one thing, they demand pretty significant adhesion between the print and the plate, because after an exposure it also sticks to the plastic film at the bottom of the reservoir. When the plate pulls up, it needs to separate from the film and not the plate. It’s actually one way I know that a print started ok: for the first few layers, you can hear an audible pop as the print releases from the film. As the plate moves up, it doesn’t separate right away, so the film flexes up a bit, and you can hear the pop as it separates. If there’s no pop, it means the print is still stuck to the film, and separated from the build plate instead. That could happen because the settings are wrong, or there’s not enough surface area on the plate relative to what it’s printing, or bad height calibration, or a few other things. Usually not an issue but it’s bitten me a few times. As for my filament printer, I usually use a glass plate covered with a PEI layer. That’s a plastic that achieves a nice balance between adhesion and ability to separate. A few seconds with a paint scraper is usually good enough to pull up the print, though some can take more effort. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173/56 "2022-02-18T20:47:06Z")
I posted this in the DIY thread: > I seem to have figured out the settings for removing the completed figures from the plate with harming the figures or myself. > I calibrated the zero using the self-leveling. Then went up by .4mm and set that as the zero. > Also in the splitter I set the Bottom layers down to 4 and exposure time down to 40. (I’m not fully sure why 🙂 ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/resin-printer-primer-help-me-out-please/958173.md?page=2)