I finally figured out that PLA + blue painter’s tape + Elmer’s Glue sticks = no peeled up bottom layers!
Did a 5 point star print with this, and nothing curled up.
First hurdle is cleared!
was that with a heated bed? I was having almost no curling issues with my heated bed, but tonight, some small base, taller models, kept coming loose and sticking to the extruder. Wondered if another method for adhesion is in order even on a heated bed.
No heated bed! Haven’t bought one yet. But for 50mm prints, glue sticks help.
In the cold weather, I’ve been hitting the platform with a mini torch for a few minutes to get it up above ambient temp; seems to get the first layer sticking down well enough.
I received the advice to use BuildTak, so I’ll pass it on. It has helped so much, I’ll never go back to blue tape.
I’ve been using blue tape and isopropyl alcohol. It’s been working great so far. The tape’s been peeling off the bed, but I think that’s just the brand I’m using.
@Kris_Gainsforth highly recommend you to get a heatbed! That is best solution!
What do you do with the Elmer’s glue sticks? I have not heard of this…
@Matthew_Meyer , take a glue stick and cover the tape over the area you are printing. I used the glue that starts purple and turns clear when it dries. I started the print when most of the glue is clear. This helps to tack down areas with PLA, where a heated bed might not be feasible or available.
the glue stick is the key.
I print PLA on unheated glass coated with elmer’s glue stick.
I use no tape. I used to heat the bed with a hair dryer, but I discovered that clean glass with a fresh, thin layer of glue stick plus a carefully leveled bed allows me to print 0.2mm first layer with no problems even in a 68° room.
An added benefit of ditching the tape is the nice, smooth surface of the bottom of the print.
I need to get some glass on my bed, then.
Your bottom layer with just glue on compared to tape gets a much smoother surface.
Awesome. I will have to try that out. Thanks!