I don't understand how people enjoy ABS.

3D Printing
,
1

I don’t understand how people enjoy ABS. Admittedly I’m only on my second print with the stuff (after a long stint with PLA), but it seems so hard to get a good result from. I’ve got intermittent layer cracking, over-adhesion up the wazoo and it’s uncomfortable being in the same room as my printer with a smell like this.
Short of a fully enclosed build chamber, does anybody have some surefire ways to get a good print where the model involves a large base that’s about 5mm thick?

2

ABS works all the time for me, PLA not so much.
Set temp lower if smells are a problem, I’m using 220C and that works fine for me.
Kapton tape at the base also. Platform must be 110C, that is main thing. Using BuildTak works at 60/70C, but sticks somewhat too much.
In all cases, remove from platform with a warm platform. Add bottom hole to the side where you can enter a flat screwdriver to make remove easy on large flat pieces

3

thanks for the corrugations tip.

4

I love my ABS because it’s not brittle. And “enclosure” just means something to slow down air movement.

5

Hi Miles,
Ventilation and some sort of enclosure is recommended with ABS printing. It can be a simple cardboard surround if you just want to experiment and see how it can make a difference for you. I’ve a bunch of other notes and observations I made quite a while ago when I first started printing in ABS which may also be of value. http://numbersixreprap.blogspot.ie/2012/12/a-focus-on-abs-and-new-printer-hood.html The “old” printer seen in this post is still chugging away actually! I use that setup for ABS and my Mendel90 is allowed in the house but only when printing PLA!
Regards.