The Must-Have 3D Printing Supplies for Beginners
Getting started with 3D printing can be exciting but also overwhelming when you are new to the hobby. Having the right supplies and tools is essential for successful prints and maintenance of your 3D printer. Here are some must-have items every beginner should have on hand.
Filament
Filament is the thermoplastic material that gets melted and extruded through the print nozzle to create your 3D printed object. The two most common filament types are:
- PLA (Polylactic Acid) - Made from renewable resources like corn starch. Easy to print with and good for beginners.
- ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) - A strong and durable petroleum-based plastic. Can be more challenging to print with.
For starters, PLA filament in basic colors like white, black, blue, red, and yellow is recommended. Having at least 1 kg of each color will allow you to print a variety of small projects.
Nozzles
The print nozzle is the part that extrudes the melted filament onto the print bed. Nozzles come in different sizes like 0.2mm, 0.4mm, etc. A 0.4mm nozzle is standard and good for beginners. It's a good idea to have 2-3 extra nozzles on hand when starting out.
Print Surface
Having a proper print surface is crucial for getting prints to stick while printing, but be easily removable once cooled. Some good beginner print surface options:
- BuildTak sheet
- Blue painter's tape
- PEI print bed
Cleaning Tools
Keeping your print bed surface and nozzles clean is important for successful prints. Some must-have cleaning tools include:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Paper towels
- Brass wire brush
- Needle cleaning kit
Use isopropyl alcohol applied with paper towels to wipe down the print bed between prints. Clean nozzles regularly with a brass brush and needle kit to prevent clogs.
Calibration Tools
Calibrating your printer ensures leveling, proper nozzle height, and dialed-in settings. Helpful calibration tools include:
- Calipers
- Set of feeler gauges
- Right angle ruler
Use these tools when first setting up your printer and periodically to check for proper XYZ axis movements, bed leveling, and nozzle height spacing.
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Finishing Supplies
Printed objects often benefit from some quick finishing work for a nicer look. Useful finishing supplies:
- Sandpaper
- Metal files
- Utility knife
- Pliers
Sand and file down any rough edges, use a utility knife to trim off supports, and pliers to remove any stubborn supports. This helps smooth out prints.
Having these basic tools and supplies on hand will set any beginner up for success with 3D printing! Start printing and learning with this starter kit of essentials.
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Top Filaments for Strong and Detailed 3D Prints
Choosing the right filament is key to achieving strong, detailed 3D printed parts. The plastic filament is melted and extruded through the nozzle to create each layer of your print, so its properties directly affect the quality of the finished object.
Here are some of the top filaments to use when strength and detail are important:
ABS
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a classic 3D printing filament known for its strength and durability. It is also more heat resistant than other materials. The downside is it requires higher print temperatures and can warp on larger prints.
ABS is great for printing mechanical parts, tools, cases, and other objects where high strength is crucial. It captures fine detail well due to low shrinkage.
PETG
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified) has emerged as a newer filament that offers strength close to ABS without the warping issues. It does not require a heated bed and offers good layer adhesion for detailed prints.
PETG is commonly used to print durable objects like tools, functional prototypes, and cases requiring impact resistance. The smooth surface finish captures intricate details nicely.
Nylon
Nylon filaments are known for their strength, durability, and flexibility. Nylon is resistant to cracking from impacts and bending forces. It has very low friction, making nylon great for parts subject to wear and uses involving bearings or gears.
The layer adhesion of nylon allows very high detail resolution, and it will hold up well to demanding applications. However, printing nylon can be tricky due to sensitivity to moisture absorption.
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Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber reinforced filaments like carbon fiber PLA consist of fine carbon fiber strands in a PLA plastic matrix. The carbon fiber reinforcement results in excellent strength-to-weight ratios, while retaining the easy printing of PLA.
Carbon fiber filament is perfect for lightweight drones and RC components, as well as anything requiring the highest strength. The carbon fiber allows incredible print detail and resolution.
TPU
TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) flexible filaments have elastic properties that make them ideal for printing objects that bend, compress, or experience impacts. Common uses include phone cases, robotics parts, grips, and gaskets.
Despite the flexibility, TPU has good rigidity and detail resolution for printing complex shapes. Fine details come out crisp.
High-Temp Resins
For extremely high temperature applications like automotive, aerospace, and industrial uses, there are specialty high-temp resins capable of withstanding over 300°C heat.
Both nylon and PEI (Polyether Imide) have very high melt points, low creep, and excellent mechanical properties. They can produce exceptionally strong and detailed prints to withstand extreme environments.
Choosing the right filament for your specific application is key to achieving prints that are both strong and have minute details. With so many materials available now for FDM printing, the possibilities are endless!
How to Choose the Right Nozzle Size for Better 3D Prints
The nozzle size on your 3D printer controls the resolution and speed of your prints. Selecting the right nozzle diameter for your specific needs is an important optimization for improving print quality.
Common Nozzle Sizes
Most 3D printers come equipped with a 0.4mm nozzle by default. But nozzles come in a range of sizes including:
- 0.2mm
- 0.25mm
- 0.3mm
- 0.4mm
- 0.5mm
- 0.6mm
- 0.8mm
- 1.0mm
Factors to Consider
Here are some key factors to take into account when selecting a nozzle size:
- Print resolution - Smaller nozzles produce finer details, while larger nozzles create coarser prints.
- Print speed - Larger nozzles extrude more filament and generally speed up prints.
- Filament type - The viscosity of materials like flexible filament may require larger nozzles.
- Overhangs and bridges - Larger nozzles sometimes have less trouble with overhangs and bridging.
Choosing a Nozzle Diameter
For most prints, a 0.4mm nozzle offers a good balance of print quality and speed. But here are some scenarios for using different nozzle sizes:
- 0.25mm for highly detailed miniatures and modeling
- 0.6-0.8mm for faster draft prints and large layers
- 0.2mm for very fine featured like small text
- 1.0mm nozzles for extremely fast low-resolution prototyping
Take into account your specific print goals and dial in a nozzle size that produces an optimal result for resolution, print speeds, and filament compatibility.
Maintaining Your 3D Printer with Essential Tools and Supplies
A well maintained 3D printer will reward you with years of reliable service and quality prints. Having the right maintenance tools and supplies on hand makes upkeep much easier.
Nozzle Maintenance
Clean nozzles are critical for good prints. Useful supplies include:
- Brass brush - Clean filament debris from the nozzle
- Needle kit - Clear any clogs from inside the nozzle
- Nozzle wrenches - Remove and replace nozzles
Inspect nozzles regularly and replace any that have worn or enlarged openings.
Motion System Maintenance
Keep linear motion parts like rods, bearings, belts in top shape. Helpful tools:
- Grease/lubricant - Keep rods and bearings moving smoothly
- Tension meter - Adjust belt tension
- Replacement belts - Swap out any worn belts
Clean linear rod surfaces to prevent dirt buildup and regularly check belt tension.
Print Bed Maintenance
A clean, level print surface is crucial for successful prints. Useful supplies:
- Isopropyl alcohol - Cleans print bed surfaces
- Adhesion helpers - Glue stick, hairspray, or adhesion sheets
- Feeler gauges - Helps level bed and calibrate nozzle height
Wipe the print surface regularly with alcohol to remove any oil and debris. Reapply adhesion helpers like glue or tape between prints.
General Maintenance
Some other items that are good to have on hand:
- Replacement fans - Swap out any failing cooling fans
- Zip ties - Wiring organization and strain relief
- Screwdriver set - For general repairs and modifications
- Multimeter - Troubleshoot electrical issues
Stay organized and keep spare parts like fans available for quick repairs when needed.
Regular maintenance using quality tools will keep your printer running in top condition and producing great looking prints.
3D Printing Surface Prep - The Key to Perfect First Layer Adhesion
A properly prepared print surface is essential for getting your 3D prints to stick during printing. Good first layer adhesion prevents warping and detachment failures. Here are some best practices for prepping your print bed for success.
Cleaning
Start by cleaning the print surface thoroughly to remove any oils, fingerprints, dust, or debris. Some good options:
- Isopropyl alcohol - Wipe down the surface with >90% IPA
- Soap and water - For certain surfaces like PEI or glass
- Acetone - Effective cleaner for ABS printed surfaces
Avoid touching print surfaces with bare hands after cleaning. Oils from skin can impact adhesion.
Surface Choice
Using the right print surface material is a key factor. Some top options:
- PEI sheet - Durable surface that prints adhere well to when hot
- BuildTak - Disposable adhesive sheets designed for great adhesion
- Glass - Hard and flat surface that can be coated for adhesion
- Blue tape - Versatile painter's tape sticks when heated, easy to replace
PEI, BuildTak, and blue tape are excellent starter surfaces that promote first layer adhesion.
Adhesion Promoters
Additional adhesion helpers can be applied to the print surface like:
- Glue stick
- Hairspray
- Dimafix spray
Reapply these between each print for consistent performance. Allow to dry fully before printing.
Surface Leveling
An evenly leveled surface helps get proper squish and adhesion across the first layer. Level using:
- Sheet of paper
- Feeler gauges
- Automatic bed leveling probe
Manually tram the bed corners to get reasonably level. An auto-leveling probe can help further dial-in perfection.
First Layer Height
Set your first layer height slightly higher than normal, around 0.2-0.3mm, for better initial squish and adhesion.
Prepping your print bed using these techniques will result in perfect first layer adhesion and prints that stick throughout the print process.
Common 3D Printing Support Structures and When to Use Them
Support structures in 3D printing help hold up overhangs and bridging in prints. Choosing the right type of supports can make post-processing easier while using only the minimal amount of material needed.
Tree Supports
Tree supports have a branching structure starting from the build plate up to the print:
- Minimal surface area touching print
- Easy to remove
- Best for detailed prints
Use when print has lots of complex overhangs or undercuts.
Linear Supports
Linear supports are straight columns placed vertically under overhangs:
- Simple structure
- Can be hard to remove
- Good for basic geometric prints
Use when print has larger flat overhangs with access underneath.
Raft Layers
Rafts are full layers beneath the print acting as a support base:
- Creates flat, even base
- Uses more material
- Helps adhesion on trick surfaces
Use rafts when bed adhesion is poor or the print has a small surface area contacting the bed.
Soluble Supports
Special soluble filaments can print supports that dissolve in water:
- Supports wash away easily
- Minimal post-processing
- Compatibility issues sometimes
Use when print has complex geometries needing dense supports in hard to reach places.
Choosing the optimal support type for your specific print geometry will give great results with minimal material use and post-processing.
