When I started 3D printing, I was for minis. And not to fine a point on it, D&D style minis. I grew up on D&D and 3D printing then painting my own was like Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Then of course came all the cosplay and everything else. But my first printers were resin, solely for the detail! Resin remains my go to, I say I print 80/20 resin to FDM. The mess and effort, worth it to me, solely for that detail. I live alone, I am home-bound disabled, my apartment is basically my 3D printing & painting studio that I happen to live in. The majority of room is taken with machines, workbench, painting area and so on. While the kitchen & bedroom is where I live. Many may shake their heads at this, go ahead, but this is my zen. This is what brings joy and zen to me. This is what helps me forget, at least for moments, the pain I endure all day.
Me too actually, badly injured a couple years ago, not entirely home bound but that’s where we are heading according to the doc. We have an extra room in our apartment and this has kept me sane.
@@Iyanden1432Sorry to hear about your being hurt, life sucks at times, but we must endure. You know, I find it weird but funny just how this hobby, with the fine details, nit-pickiness, and so on draw so much focus gets to those zen moments. Forgetting about the pain, even for moments at a time, are still moments without the pain. I hope you can avoid the home-bound part, it isnt life ending, however more life adjusting. Good luck, hoping for the best...
Thank for your words, they are inspiring. You sound like you have much more consciousness of your life, and of what finding happiness means, than most people. Creating beauty is also a great way to live our days! Keep living that meaning, filling your days with the beauty you create!
This confirms what I thought before. The ancillary costs and the higher cost of the most user friendly printers keep it higher than is easy enough for me to jump in yet. It would be great to see a periodic update to these two videos perhaps once a year.
All the needed infos in a short video, with no useless fillers and some good tips from experience. Ross is really doing an amazing work for the 3dprinting community.
Glad you touched on the VOCs from Ethyl Alcohol and IPA. They are typically more harmful, air-bound, then a sealed resin printer. This is the main reason I switched to a water-washable resin. AnyCubic recently released their HD v2 Water-washable Resin and I've been happy with the results.
I've been resin 3D printing for a few years now, and the pickle jar is a new and handy tip for washing. It goes to show there is always something new to learn and room for improvement! Thanks for another great vid!
Ross - THNAK YOU for finally saying it!!! Josh does not get the credit he deserves for coming to everyone houses, day or night, and selflessly giving his time to clean all of our prints!!! Seriously - I think of him everytime you mention using a pickle jar, and I am glad I am not the only one :)
I've been using a water washable resin currently due to ease of use since a wash station isn't really in the budget but it's been giving good results. This video has given me a lot of insight on how I should wash in the future.
I started out with resin printing 6 months ago with a GK2. Then I bought a Bambu P1S about 3 weeks ago. Now I hate resin printing. I still do it for minis because of more detail but it’s a dredge. The cleanup and toxicity just makes it a chore. The P1S has been so easy and it’s been running non-stop since I got it. I won’t give up resin but it will not be my first choice if I can get away with using the FDM printer.
For 99% of people, who can't afford the absolute best, $1k+ printers, FDM printing is way too limited in this hobby... Anything but terrain is essentially out of the picture. In general, the excitement I used to have for 3d printing is almost entirely gone after I've found little use in my FDM printer and cleaning a resin print is an absolute nightmare.
Yeah I'd love a good video on curing. All the info I've ever found has been pretty vague. "Cure for a few minutes" but not too long or it gets brittle.
Definitely the washing and curing has been the number one reason I've hesitated to take the leap. The pickle jar and silicone mat is an idea I hadn't considered. Wash and cure stations are definitely becoming better making the process easier. Great video as always, thanks
4:49 Isopropyl alcohol aka isopropanol aka IPA is a single kind of product; but "methylated spirit" really isn't. Depending on the country, it is a large collection of denatured alcohol with various additives. Some of these chemical additives can be very nasty, very stinky as well as deleterious for the 3D printed parts, almost like acetone! You should detail the exact chemical composition of the bottle that gives you complete satisfaction, so that users can search for the same type of product.
Can someone give me a little more information on this? I’m trying to get started and I want to get the right solvent, but trying to find whatever product he’s holding in his hand in the US is not happening for me. Someone please help and let me know what the heck this stuff is.
@@ClintWalters Best solvent to clean resin is 99% IPA aka Isopropyl alcohol also called isopropanol. You can also use 95% or 99% ethanol which is a bit bit less effective at cleaning resin than IPA, but cheaper. Unlike FauxHammer, I would not recommend denatured alcohol which is ethanol + nasty additives to make it undrinkable (hence the name "denatured") because of the COVs of the additives. As for methylated spirit, it's a special kind of denatured alcohol where the main additive is methanol, but there may be others additives too. Beware of the additives! Some brands on the labels you see are country-specific indeed, but the base chemicals are not and are available everywhere. The other option besides a pure alcohol-based solvent is a resin detergent, like Elegoo Photopolymer Resin detergent or Sailsea Resin Detergent, to name only a few (there are other brands). The advantage of a resin detergent is that you can use it in a wash station (liquid vortex-based) or in an ultrasonic cleaner, whereas IPA can only be used in the former because of its high flammability. IPA has the advantage of super fast evaporation, while parts cleaned with detergent must be rinsed under water then have to dry more slowly. Finally, I would not recommend kitchen cleaners like Mean Green and the like.
Once I'd finally taken the plunge researched, invested & completed my first print it was a true paradigm shift for me, sure the temperature can be a niggling pain being in blighty, and of course we'd all love a GK2 but don't have a grand lying around given the current economy, the absolute biggest negative quality of life is the fumes/smell/voc's and I've tried everything to attempt to mitigate to no avail, us Brit's are notorious for our delicate nasal sensitivities, when it's remedied it will be my next definite expenditure, great video Ross, the points stated can never not be repeated or reinforced. 👍
It IS a hobby in itself, but videos like this and some other channels, can help reduce the time you spend tuning your printer and increase the time with the ACTUAL hobby you got the printer for :)
Good videos. I picked up a Saturn 4 Ultra a month ago, but need to clear room in my shop before I can set it up and get printing. Suffering... tl;dr: Methylated spirits is called denatured alcohol in the USA. IPA and ethanol are similar and function almost exactly the same, but are not the same chemical. Denatured alcohol is made when drinking alcohol (ethanol) is contaminated with chemicals to make it harmful to drink. More Info: In the USA, methylated spirits are known as denatured alcohol. MS/DA is ethanol (the alcohol in whiskey and other booze that makes you drunk) with nasty chemicals added to it - (methanol and others, hence the 'methylated',) for bad taste/smell/toxicity. These nasty chemicals stop people (usually) from drinking the ethanol (now known as methylated spirits/denatured alcohol.) Ethanol is cheap to produce and not toxic, but as drinking alcohol is heavily regulated by law in the US and most other countries, unless it's being sold for consumption and thus heavily taxed, chemicals must be added to it (denature,) to avoid said taxes. With those nasty chemicals it in, it is now no longer for consumption, and is just a cleaning agent. Isopropyl (C3H80) and ethanol (C2H60) are similar, with isopropyl having one more carbon atom, and two more hydrogen atoms than ethanol. Similar, but not the same. IPA is never safe to drink. Ethanol (without the nasty 'denaturing' stuff in it,) is totally fine to drink. DO NOT DRINK METHYLATED SPIRITS/DENATURED ALCOHOL. You could go blind and/or die. It's where the phrase "blind drunk," comes from - when people would drink methanol during prohibition. Once I get my printer up, I will attempt to clean my minis with Everclear, and then rotgut vodka, and report back.
I started by trying to give my prints a candle lit bubble bath but discovered it really didn't accomplish much. Now I let it drip dry until I remember I left a print somewhere. Eventually, it gets a thorough wash in denatured alcohol followed by a swim in Totally Awesome floor cleaner to help get rid of the leftover alcohol and most of the residue. Then a water wash, pop the supports and cure.
This is a great video series thanks! I've been put off with resin printing, but this is starting to sway me again with how easy it is with this printer.
These videos have honestly been a huge help in informing me of what to expect when it comes to 3D printing that I now don’t feel intimidated at all and now in-fact look forward to buying my own 3D printer and starting my printing journey, messes and all. Thank you!
Great in-depth coverage of the whole resin printing process. It's been many years since I could say model/miniature painting was an active hobby, but with the rise of 3d-printing now making some beautiful figures available to pint at home I figure it's only a matter of time before I bite the bullet and get back into it. I've no doubt this channel will become a valuable resource.
Thanks for the video! I just finished drilling a duct through the wall in my basement...now I have a dedicated extraction fan for the printer room. Health and safety first!
Very interesting. The cleanup has definitely made resin a bit of a harder sell than fdm. But if you have a decent setup it seems a little less of an issue.
I plan on getting into resin printing eventually, I've only been doing FDM for a month or two. I really appreciate your videos being more for the everyman and are simple to understand for someone with only the most basic knowledge on the subject
Once again bravo! You are the kind of content creator we need. Your honest opinions and complaints/solutions/suggestions are the things that help manufacturers to raise the bar on their products, not only competitiors. Manufacturers who want to promote their products should listen more and promote more content creators/ comments who say things like I said earlier from you. Been a while now since I've followed you, now I just joined your group, I think I'm ready now to add to cart the things I need to start SLA printing, the safety gear. Sure going to be different from my FDM printers but looking forward 😊
I usually remove the supports right away before the initial wash. My supports from chitubox come off really easily. Having the supports off helps to reduce the surface area and hiding spots of excess resin. I like IPA for cleaning, but you have to be careful because it is flammable and better to have it in a closed container as much as possible.
I did this for years, but getting a dedicated wash station and a flexible plate was next level for me. I take my whole build plate, put it in the wash station, then pop the build plate off, flex it, and all the models pop off - no scraping needed. Also, I cure in a water bath. Better surface finish.
a silicone mat is the best purchase i have made for resin cleaning. i makes everything so much easier to clean up. i would also recommend a closed container for trash and tools when they arent in use. it has removed so much smell from my workspace
This and the first video in this series are very useful, I have used an original formlabs a long time ago however it was not clear to me the practical things behind it, this explains things in a very clear way with no added nonsense. Nice one mate!
I'm a pretty experienced FDM printer and am looking into resin as my next hobby (mostly for scale RC car parts). Your overview was super helpful and didn't have too much "dumbed down" info to where it was boring. Thanks!
I just brought a resin printer on a black friday discount. I'm looking forward for it to arrive, and start testing it. I does seem a bit complicated (every youtube chanel has their own way to getting the best result). I'm starting small with water-based resin, an uv flashlight, a toothbrush, some silicone doormats and gloves - knowing I might not get perfect results in the beginning. It's easy to buy more equipment later if this is something I'm going to enjoy :)
I'm just getting into 3D printing and it's so amazing seeing such in depth videos like this on youtube. Like a pickle jar for cleaning would never cross my mind 😂😂but that's such a simple and great idea
Nice presentation. In place of silicone mats, I use silicone waterproof under sink mat that measure 34x22. It allows for the printer, wash station and ample space to clean the parts. Also, they have a substantial lip that will dam any inadvertent spills.
This has been a really useful series. As someone who hasn't bought a printer yet (but desperately wants to) it's really helped demystify some of the uncertainties I had around whether 3D Printing would be right for me to dive in to.
thanks, it;s not for everyone and I wanted to make it a little more accessible in terms of understanding what's involved. I expect many people will get so far in these vids and go "nooooo, I'm out". and that is fair enough.
I love the idea of the silicon tray to go over the top of the vat so that you also dont have to worry about little bits of support flying off into the vat...
Very good video. I'm adding more ventilation and a full facemask as I've developed an allergic reaction to some of the newer high-impact formulas. I've been at this for a few years and never encountered a issue with any previous mixtures. Whatever compounds are being used to create resistance (toughness or flexibility) is moving sla closer to mold-injected plastics and further from casting resins. So prints and the plate should be left in the printer while it's exhaust extracted and cools
dude, i just got into resin printing, it is TOTALLY for me. the process looked daughting also to me, and at times can be frustrating. But man when it successfully prints its such a nice feeling! it be nice to win that 3d printer! all the best!
I've been fussing over which printer to start this madness with, I almost went the cheapest route then found Ross and fauxhammer, and have been locked in ever since. I really would like to get this set of machines, either way it's just a matter of time. I really Appreciate the Honesty of this channel and enjoy the content for it's humor, like TOP GEAR for slime bots. Keep up the great work.
Great content! You were thorough but not overwhelming about the process. It is an arduous process, but well worth it if you've got the patience to learn it!
Absolutely the types of videos I need right now. I am getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on a resin printer for printing minis to paint. I need to know everything I am getting into so I can fully sell to the spousal unit.
I love this video!!! I think 3d printing is really state of the art hobby! Thanks to your video, people can understand pros and cons of the 3d printing hobby. Good job!!!
Great video but i wouldnt recommend using a toothbrush to clean your uncured models because the uncured resin is very soft and even gently scrubbing with a toothbrush will "wear away" the details. Trust me, i found out from experience. Just stuck with the agitation of the cleaning solution (alcohol/ meths). Also id recommend heating the model with a blow dryer and pulling off the supports BEFORE you put it in the cleaning solution because there will be a lot of uncured resin on the supports that will just dirty up you cleaning solution unnecessarily. I use two pickle jars and a homemade UV curing box (plastic storage container and 4 UV lights that have 6 LEDs each) that work just great, no need to spend hundreds on fancy wash and cure stations unless you absolutely need the fanciest setup. Amazing video and down to earth advice and very entertaining to watch. Love your content. Keep on, keepin on...
Fantastic tips and tricks Ross, thank you. The double dunk with pickle jars prior to the actual wash works like a dream and keeps the bulk of my IPA looking good.
So watched this twice, as the first time it was via fb and I wasn’t logged in to record it 🤦🏼♂️ So I’ve taken your advice and brought all of this, I now just need to print something, so going to give it a crack at the weekend. Wish me luck 👍🏻
Resin can look tedious when you first start, but the best thing I did was find a work flow that worked for me and my setup, everyone’s is different and it took me a good few months before I got a good flow that suited me, now it’s really no bother to print/wash and cure.
Great video mate. As someone with a beard how do you find masks sealing for the resin toxic fumes? Do you have suggestions for best masked to wear? Thanks
I um'd and ahh'd about the wash and cure combo from uniformation when I got the gktwo. Took me a lil longer to save up for it but I can say they have been fantastic. I never did make my own curing station and can see the appeal to save money. But I thought....I'm already spending nearly £700 on the printer, the extra few hundred isn't a big deal, just had to wait another month.
I use rubber 'marigold' gloves when I'm working with resin. I was fed up going through TONNES of gloves and them bursting and getting holes really easily. I can use a pair for weeks before anything goes and they're readily available at supermarkets and cheap.
I've been enjoying your reviews and videos a lot. I'm thinking about getting a large format resin 3d printer, and wouldn't think twice if Uniformation made one, but the gktwo is really interesting and I might end up getting it.
Split my time between an apartment close to work and my house and hour away. I've got a mono upgraded OG Photon, and a Mars 2 Pro at the house. Winning this printer and cleaning station would be great for the apartment so I can print during the week without having to pick which printer I'd bring with me.
Great tip with the silicone tray. I've been using IKEA "Tillgång" trays which have worked great, but sometimes when removing parts from the build plate they can bounce off, and I can imagine a silicone tray will do a better job of preventing that!
The pickle jar is a great tip. I just ordered the denatured alcohol/methylated spirits, but it's much harder to get than isopropyl alcohol. Others have claimed LA Fantastic or Simple Green. I've tried both and they did not work well at all, even in an ultrasonic cleaner. They definitely left minis tacky even post-cure.
This is very similar to what I've been doing by pre-washing my prints in a pickle jar before moving on to the wash and cure station. I've only been using IPA though.
Wow just wanna say what a great part 2 to 3d printing for beginners. Ive been slowly getting more and more into 3d printing to the point where I want to invest in a printer myself. I’ve been eyeing up the uni formation bundle for a while and I’m constantly learning new things from the channel, learning and knowing what do if or when I got myself a printer thanks for all the help this all sounds super fun !!
After doing things with my CO2 laser for a while, I really want to get into 3D printing. I absolutely LOVE the quality that comes out of a resin printer. The details are staggering. But for me, at least to start off with, I think FDM is going to be more useful for the things I'm thinking of printing. Now I just need to decide on a printer. If I hadn't lost my good paying job recently it would be so much easier haha.
This was super informative on the cleaning process. I don't have a lot of space and would need to do this in my house (as opposed to a garage or shed). I do have a bird so I wonder how I would properly filter those fumes out. I'd be interested to see the different ways people filter out that stuff.
I pre wash in a small container to remove most of the resin then put them into the cleaning station. Remove supports after quick brush clean again and cure
A dedicated lab like rooms is probably the best way to deal with the vocs. I am currently building a system to measure air quality and tell me when it becomes to much. The smell isn't the unhealthy stuff. It's the stuff you don't smell.
Thanks again Ross, have watched and rewatched several times now. Just starting my resin journey and have gone down the DIY pickle jar and UV light/turntable in a box (all in the garage), will eventually move to a wash and cure station. Think you've hit 100k views across the three videos now 😉
Thanks Ross, loads of useful info to digest. Just need a maintenance guide for cleaning up the printer after a successful print. I'm still itching to go resin once I've sorted a space in the garage
The Second picklejar makes a hell of a difference, if nothing else it clears the majority of liquid resin off and keeps your main wash station clearer for longer
I went the photon mono m5s route and couldn’t happier in the last 2wks and 20 odd prints since I got it. That said I am glad you are having good luck with your GKtwo…
For those in the US, “Methylated Spirits” is denatured alcohol. Which I have been using for a while now, and it works great! Just watch out for the fumes. I think they are slightly more potent than rubbing alcohol. But that’s just my opinion.
i was realy looking forward to this guide. I had no idea about the whole washing and curing part and like you mentioned i was without a clue allready thinking about DIY solutions xD The more i watch your vids, the more i come to the conclusion that i am going to buy the GKTWO bundle. Again thanks for the great video. As usual a great amount of infos in a short amount of time, without being overhelming.
Tips and equipment I recomend: Respirator with correct organic vapour filters like JSP - 4713 - the IPA fumes are more dangerous to health especially when used in a open top container in a ultrasonic the vibrations cause the IPA to go airborne causing hazard to not only fire but also breathing if you seal the lid then fumes contained. Fire retardant chemical storage cabinet for storing 5L plus bottles of IPA, major fire risk leaving massive containers of highly flammable liquid lying around. Methylated spirits it’s can also burn without a flame and can be more volatile to combustion, UK weather is very damp and humid so less of an issue but dry climates with heat it could be more of a problem. Also the amount of respirators I see people using that have the wrong cartridges for organic vapour, I see people using dust masks as if that makes a difference, Final tip although debated online running a print farm in your house with 5 printers is probably not a good idea for the long term health of your children 😅
Think of it this way (good or bad): If you're OK with the idea of cleaning a public restroom (including the wearing gloves, eye protection, harsh cleaners), then a resin printer is no probleml. You don't want to touch the stuff with your skin, if you do, you want to wash immediately. It's not going to smell great, and you probably _really_ want to have some ventilation (as public restrooms do). Hell, if you've changed enough _diapers_, cleaned up enough cat litter boxes, or have other experience with cleaning where you _do not want_ to ever touch - but are safe to handle with protection.
I've been resin printing for about 6 months now. I bought a printer and a wash and cure bundle because after looking into the steps it takes, I decided i wanted to automate that as much as possible. I quickly moved from printing miniatures to printing large statues, something i couldn't afford to buy before. My biggest problem is still cleaning up support marks and hiding part joins with miliputt. Ive got all sorts of sandpaper, files, and even a rotary engraver with a whole mess of bits and i still suck at getting it smooth and hiding the joins.
When I started 3D printing, I was for minis. And not to fine a point on it, D&D style minis. I grew up on D&D and 3D printing then painting my own was like Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Then of course came all the cosplay and everything else. But my first printers were resin, solely for the detail! Resin remains my go to, I say I print 80/20 resin to FDM. The mess and effort, worth it to me, solely for that detail. I live alone, I am home-bound disabled, my apartment is basically my 3D printing & painting studio that I happen to live in. The majority of room is taken with machines, workbench, painting area and so on. While the kitchen & bedroom is where I live. Many may shake their heads at this, go ahead, but this is my zen. This is what brings joy and zen to me. This is what helps me forget, at least for moments, the pain I endure all day.
You rock!
Me too actually, badly injured a couple years ago, not entirely home bound but that’s where we are heading according to the doc. We have an extra room in our apartment and this has kept me sane.
@@Iyanden1432Sorry to hear about your being hurt, life sucks at times, but we must endure. You know, I find it weird but funny just how this hobby, with the fine details, nit-pickiness, and so on draw so much focus gets to those zen moments. Forgetting about the pain, even for moments at a time, are still moments without the pain. I hope you can avoid the home-bound part, it isnt life ending, however more life adjusting. Good luck, hoping for the best...
Thank for your words, they are inspiring. You sound like you have much more consciousness of your life, and of what finding happiness means, than most people. Creating beauty is also a great way to live our days! Keep living that meaning, filling your days with the beauty you create!
This confirms what I thought before. The ancillary costs and the higher cost of the most user friendly printers keep it higher than is easy enough for me to jump in yet. It would be great to see a periodic update to these two videos perhaps once a year.
All the needed infos in a short video, with no useless fillers and some good tips from experience. Ross is really doing an amazing work for the 3dprinting community.
Glad you touched on the VOCs from Ethyl Alcohol and IPA. They are typically more harmful, air-bound, then a sealed resin printer. This is the main reason I switched to a water-washable resin. AnyCubic recently released their HD v2 Water-washable Resin and I've been happy with the results.
I've been resin 3D printing for a few years now, and the pickle jar is a new and handy tip for washing. It goes to show there is always something new to learn and room for improvement! Thanks for another great vid!
Ross - THNAK YOU for finally saying it!!! Josh does not get the credit he deserves for coming to everyone houses, day or night, and selflessly giving his time to clean all of our prints!!!
Seriously - I think of him everytime you mention using a pickle jar, and I am glad I am not the only one :)
Every Single Time
The detail on the cleaning was really helpful need to look into the spirits
I've been using a water washable resin currently due to ease of use since a wash station isn't really in the budget but it's been giving good results. This video has given me a lot of insight on how I should wash in the future.
I started out with resin printing 6 months ago with a GK2. Then I bought a Bambu P1S about 3 weeks ago. Now I hate resin printing. I still do it for minis because of more detail but it’s a dredge. The cleanup and toxicity just makes it a chore. The P1S has been so easy and it’s been running non-stop since I got it. I won’t give up resin but it will not be my first choice if I can get away with using the FDM printer.
For 99% of people, who can't afford the absolute best, $1k+ printers, FDM printing is way too limited in this hobby... Anything but terrain is essentially out of the picture. In general, the excitement I used to have for 3d printing is almost entirely gone after I've found little use in my FDM printer and cleaning a resin print is an absolute nightmare.
Yeah I'd love a good video on curing. All the info I've ever found has been pretty vague. "Cure for a few minutes" but not too long or it gets brittle.
There may be variables depending on the type of resin. I use a mix of abs like and standard resin. Cure for 10 min and have never had an issue
Definitely the washing and curing has been the number one reason I've hesitated to take the leap. The pickle jar and silicone mat is an idea I hadn't considered. Wash and cure stations are definitely becoming better making the process easier. Great video as always, thanks
gktwos are the best printers for any sort of minis. i got one because of the first gktwo video about it and its a beast
4:49 Isopropyl alcohol aka isopropanol aka IPA is a single kind of product; but "methylated spirit" really isn't. Depending on the country, it is a large collection of denatured alcohol with various additives. Some of these chemical additives can be very nasty, very stinky as well as deleterious for the 3D printed parts, almost like acetone! You should detail the exact chemical composition of the bottle that gives you complete satisfaction, so that users can search for the same type of product.
Can someone give me a little more information on this? I’m trying to get started and I want to get the right solvent, but trying to find whatever product he’s holding in his hand in the US is not happening for me. Someone please help and let me know what the heck this stuff is.
@@ClintWalters Best solvent to clean resin is 99% IPA aka Isopropyl alcohol also called isopropanol. You can also use 95% or 99% ethanol which is a bit bit less effective at cleaning resin than IPA, but cheaper. Unlike FauxHammer, I would not recommend denatured alcohol which is ethanol + nasty additives to make it undrinkable (hence the name "denatured") because of the COVs of the additives. As for methylated spirit, it's a special kind of denatured alcohol where the main additive is methanol, but there may be others additives too. Beware of the additives!
Some brands on the labels you see are country-specific indeed, but the base chemicals are not and are available everywhere.
The other option besides a pure alcohol-based solvent is a resin detergent, like Elegoo Photopolymer Resin detergent or Sailsea Resin Detergent, to name only a few (there are other brands). The advantage of a resin detergent is that you can use it in a wash station (liquid vortex-based) or in an ultrasonic cleaner, whereas IPA can only be used in the former because of its high flammability. IPA has the advantage of super fast evaporation, while parts cleaned with detergent must be rinsed under water then have to dry more slowly.
Finally, I would not recommend kitchen cleaners like Mean Green and the like.
Once I'd finally taken the plunge researched, invested & completed my first print it was a true paradigm shift for me, sure the temperature can be a niggling pain being in blighty, and of course we'd all love a GK2 but don't have a grand lying around given the current economy, the absolute biggest negative quality of life is the fumes/smell/voc's and I've tried everything to attempt to mitigate to no avail, us Brit's are notorious for our delicate nasal sensitivities, when it's remedied it will be my next definite expenditure, great video Ross, the points stated can never not be repeated or reinforced. 👍
It IS a hobby in itself, but videos like this and some other channels, can help reduce the time you spend tuning your printer and increase the time with the ACTUAL hobby you got the printer for :)
Good videos. I picked up a Saturn 4 Ultra a month ago, but need to clear room in my shop before I can set it up and get printing. Suffering...
tl;dr: Methylated spirits is called denatured alcohol in the USA. IPA and ethanol are similar and function almost exactly the same, but are not the same chemical. Denatured alcohol is made when drinking alcohol (ethanol) is contaminated with chemicals to make it harmful to drink.
More Info: In the USA, methylated spirits are known as denatured alcohol. MS/DA is ethanol (the alcohol in whiskey and other booze that makes you drunk) with nasty chemicals added to it - (methanol and others, hence the 'methylated',) for bad taste/smell/toxicity. These nasty chemicals stop people (usually) from drinking the ethanol (now known as methylated spirits/denatured alcohol.) Ethanol is cheap to produce and not toxic, but as drinking alcohol is heavily regulated by law in the US and most other countries, unless it's being sold for consumption and thus heavily taxed, chemicals must be added to it (denature,) to avoid said taxes. With those nasty chemicals it in, it is now no longer for consumption, and is just a cleaning agent.
Isopropyl (C3H80) and ethanol (C2H60) are similar, with isopropyl having one more carbon atom, and two more hydrogen atoms than ethanol. Similar, but not the same. IPA is never safe to drink. Ethanol (without the nasty 'denaturing' stuff in it,) is totally fine to drink. DO NOT DRINK METHYLATED SPIRITS/DENATURED ALCOHOL. You could go blind and/or die. It's where the phrase "blind drunk," comes from - when people would drink methanol during prohibition.
Once I get my printer up, I will attempt to clean my minis with Everclear, and then rotgut vodka, and report back.
Thanks, that’s really helpful to know
I started by trying to give my prints a candle lit bubble bath but discovered it really didn't accomplish much. Now I let it drip dry until I remember I left a print somewhere. Eventually, it gets a thorough wash in denatured alcohol followed by a swim in Totally Awesome floor cleaner to help get rid of the leftover alcohol and most of the residue. Then a water wash, pop the supports and cure.
This is a great video series thanks! I've been put off with resin printing, but this is starting to sway me again with how easy it is with this printer.
These videos have honestly been a huge help in informing me of what to expect when it comes to 3D printing that I now don’t feel intimidated at all and now in-fact look forward to buying my own 3D printer and starting my printing journey, messes and all. Thank you!
Great in-depth coverage of the whole resin printing process. It's been many years since I could say model/miniature painting was an active hobby, but with the rise of 3d-printing now making some beautiful figures available to pint at home I figure it's only a matter of time before I bite the bullet and get back into it. I've no doubt this channel will become a valuable resource.
Thanks for the video! I just finished drilling a duct through the wall in my basement...now I have a dedicated extraction fan for the printer room. Health and safety first!
Very interesting. The cleanup has definitely made resin a bit of a harder sell than fdm. But if you have a decent setup it seems a little less of an issue.
I plan on getting into resin printing eventually, I've only been doing FDM for a month or two. I really appreciate your videos being more for the everyman and are simple to understand for someone with only the most basic knowledge on the subject
I'm just getting into resin printing - hell, I just started with FDM this year too. But so far I've been enjoying the SHIT out of this hobby...
Once again bravo! You are the kind of content creator we need. Your honest opinions and complaints/solutions/suggestions are the things that help manufacturers to raise the bar on their products, not only competitiors. Manufacturers who want to promote their products should listen more and promote more content creators/ comments who say things like I said earlier from you. Been a while now since I've followed you, now I just joined your group, I think I'm ready now to add to cart the things I need to start SLA printing, the safety gear. Sure going to be different from my FDM printers but looking forward 😊
I use a salad spinner instead of the pickle jar for my first cleaning, can hold more parts to be clean. I also use Simple Green as a cleaning agent.
I started printing with resin not too long ago and it's been a pretty fun process, the last two videos have taught me a fair bit too
This GK 2 looks very nice!!!
I usually remove the supports right away before the initial wash. My supports from chitubox come off really easily. Having the supports off helps to reduce the surface area and hiding spots of excess resin. I like IPA for cleaning, but you have to be careful because it is flammable and better to have it in a closed container as much as possible.
I have been actively printing for 4 weeks now. Thank you so much for your videos, without you I would still be "thinking" about it.
A pre-wash before the main wash is a life (and ISO-Alcohol) saver. Really makes the print look extra sharp and saves the alcohol for longer use
It's good to see informative videos in the community to help people delve into the hobby easier.
I did this for years, but getting a dedicated wash station and a flexible plate was next level for me.
I take my whole build plate, put it in the wash station, then pop the build plate off, flex it, and all the models pop off - no scraping needed.
Also, I cure in a water bath. Better surface finish.
a silicone mat is the best purchase i have made for resin cleaning. i makes everything so much easier to clean up. i would also recommend a closed container for trash and tools when they arent in use. it has removed so much smell from my workspace
This and the first video in this series are very useful, I have used an original formlabs a long time ago however it was not clear to me the practical things behind it, this explains things in a very clear way with no added nonsense. Nice one mate!
I'm running some Calibration Prints on your Wargamer Resin. It's so new, at least in the US, there are no profiles that I could find on Lychee!
Dude youve been such a help for getting good information. Its so hard when you have no experience with this stuff and this is top notch.
I'm a pretty experienced FDM printer and am looking into resin as my next hobby (mostly for scale RC car parts). Your overview was super helpful and didn't have too much "dumbed down" info to where it was boring. Thanks!
I just brought a resin printer on a black friday discount. I'm looking forward for it to arrive, and start testing it. I does seem a bit complicated (every youtube chanel has their own way to getting the best result).
I'm starting small with water-based resin, an uv flashlight, a toothbrush, some silicone doormats and gloves - knowing I might not get perfect results in the beginning.
It's easy to buy more equipment later if this is something I'm going to enjoy :)
I enjoy the reviews and the candidness of them
I'm just getting into 3D printing and it's so amazing seeing such in depth videos like this on youtube. Like a pickle jar for cleaning would never cross my mind 😂😂but that's such a simple and great idea
Thanks for the efford you Put into your Videos.
I am going to start with 3d printing in the nearby future, so the gk2 would be very Handy....
Nice presentation. In place of silicone mats, I use silicone waterproof under sink mat that measure 34x22. It allows for the printer, wash station and ample space to clean the parts. Also, they have a substantial lip that will dam any inadvertent spills.
This has been a really useful series. As someone who hasn't bought a printer yet (but desperately wants to) it's really helped demystify some of the uncertainties I had around whether 3D Printing would be right for me to dive in to.
thanks, it;s not for everyone and I wanted to make it a little more accessible in terms of understanding what's involved. I expect many people will get so far in these vids and go "nooooo, I'm out". and that is fair enough.
I'd love a video on curing aswell, but even a video on different types of resin and it's applications would be great aswell!
I love the idea of the silicon tray to go over the top of the vat so that you also dont have to worry about little bits of support flying off into the vat...
Honestly, this series is just what I needed to decide to get going. In the summer I will try and build a proper setup in my shed!
Very good video. I'm adding more ventilation and a full facemask as I've developed an allergic reaction to some of the newer high-impact formulas. I've been at this for a few years and never encountered a issue with any previous mixtures. Whatever compounds are being used to create resistance (toughness or flexibility) is moving sla closer to mold-injected plastics and further from casting resins. So prints and the plate should be left in the printer while it's exhaust extracted and cools
dude, i just got into resin printing, it is TOTALLY for me. the process looked daughting also to me, and at times can be frustrating. But man when it successfully prints its such a nice feeling! it be nice to win that 3d printer! all the best!
Thank you for these. Not only are your videos are my goto when I want unbiased opinions and reviews. They are always helpful.
I've been fussing over which printer to start this madness with, I almost went the cheapest route then found Ross and fauxhammer, and have been locked in ever since. I really would like to get this set of machines, either way it's just a matter of time. I really Appreciate the Honesty of this channel and enjoy the content for it's humor, like TOP GEAR for slime bots. Keep up the great work.
Oh wow, Hero Quest. That's a blast from the past. I haven't played that since the 90's.
Yeah they re released it last year
@@FauxHammer I might have to pick that up. And see if anywhere sells friends to play with.
Great content!
You were thorough but not overwhelming about the process. It is an arduous process, but well worth it if you've got the patience to learn it!
Absolutely the types of videos I need right now. I am getting closer and closer to pulling the trigger on a resin printer for printing minis to paint. I need to know everything I am getting into so I can fully sell to the spousal unit.
I love this video!!! I think 3d printing is really state of the art hobby! Thanks to your video, people can understand pros and cons of the 3d printing hobby. Good job!!!
Great video but i wouldnt recommend using a toothbrush to clean your uncured models because the uncured resin is very soft and even gently scrubbing with a toothbrush will "wear away" the details. Trust me, i found out from experience. Just stuck with the agitation of the cleaning solution (alcohol/ meths). Also id recommend heating the model with a blow dryer and pulling off the supports BEFORE you put it in the cleaning solution because there will be a lot of uncured resin on the supports that will just dirty up you cleaning solution unnecessarily. I use two pickle jars and a homemade UV curing box (plastic storage container and 4 UV lights that have 6 LEDs each) that work just great, no need to spend hundreds on fancy wash and cure stations unless you absolutely need the fanciest setup. Amazing video and down to earth advice and very entertaining to watch. Love your content. Keep on, keepin on...
Fantastic tips and tricks Ross, thank you. The double dunk with pickle jars prior to the actual wash works like a dream and keeps the bulk of my IPA looking good.
So watched this twice, as the first time it was via fb and I wasn’t logged in to record it 🤦🏼♂️
So I’ve taken your advice and brought all of this, I now just need to print something, so going to give it a crack at the weekend. Wish me luck 👍🏻
I stumbled on your channel as I have a FDM and won a SLA so I wanted to learn. Feel encouraged now.
Resin can look tedious when you first start, but the best thing I did was find a work flow that worked for me and my setup, everyone’s is different and it took me a good few months before I got a good flow that suited me, now it’s really no bother to print/wash and cure.
Great video mate. As someone with a beard how do you find masks sealing for the resin toxic fumes? Do you have suggestions for best masked to wear? Thanks
I um'd and ahh'd about the wash and cure combo from uniformation when I got the gktwo. Took me a lil longer to save up for it but I can say they have been fantastic. I never did make my own curing station and can see the appeal to save money. But I thought....I'm already spending nearly £700 on the printer, the extra few hundred isn't a big deal, just had to wait another month.
I use rubber 'marigold' gloves when I'm working with resin. I was fed up going through TONNES of gloves and them bursting and getting holes really easily.
I can use a pair for weeks before anything goes and they're readily available at supermarkets and cheap.
I've been enjoying your reviews and videos a lot. I'm thinking about getting a large format resin 3d printer, and wouldn't think twice if Uniformation made one, but the gktwo is really interesting and I might end up getting it.
I resin print in my garage. I live in southern California, so temp isn't an issue. But cleaning is a deterrent to me for sure.
Split my time between an apartment close to work and my house and hour away. I've got a mono upgraded OG Photon, and a Mars 2 Pro at the house. Winning this printer and cleaning station would be great for the apartment so I can print during the week without having to pick which printer I'd bring with me.
Great tip with the silicone tray. I've been using IKEA "Tillgång" trays which have worked great, but sometimes when removing parts from the build plate they can bounce off, and I can imagine a silicone tray will do a better job of preventing that!
Air compressor was a game changer when cleaning prints for me
Love the pickle jar tip, just a shame it seems impossible to get hold of a large one with a strainer in the UK…
I can't find a large one in the US.
ive been looking for ages - just not available. Also having problems finding the odourless methylated spirits here in the uk too
That bit about the methilate spyrit was an interesting choice, i may start using it myself.
The pickle jar is a great tip. I just ordered the denatured alcohol/methylated spirits, but it's much harder to get than isopropyl alcohol. Others have claimed LA Fantastic or Simple Green. I've tried both and they did not work well at all, even in an ultrasonic cleaner. They definitely left minis tacky even post-cure.
This is very similar to what I've been doing by pre-washing my prints in a pickle jar before moving on to the wash and cure station. I've only been using IPA though.
This is the kind of video I wish was available when I started out with resin printing
This printer IS so nice. a lot of people say a lot of good things about it. It’s tempting 😁 thanks for the video.
Wow just wanna say what a great part 2 to 3d printing for beginners. Ive been slowly getting more and more into 3d printing to the point where I want to invest in a printer myself. I’ve been eyeing up the uni formation bundle for a while and I’m constantly learning new things from the channel, learning and knowing what do if or when I got myself a printer thanks for all the help this all sounds super fun !!
After doing things with my CO2 laser for a while, I really want to get into 3D printing. I absolutely LOVE the quality that comes out of a resin printer. The details are staggering. But for me, at least to start off with, I think FDM is going to be more useful for the things I'm thinking of printing. Now I just need to decide on a printer. If I hadn't lost my good paying job recently it would be so much easier haha.
This was super informative on the cleaning process. I don't have a lot of space and would need to do this in my house (as opposed to a garage or shed). I do have a bird so I wonder how I would properly filter those fumes out. I'd be interested to see the different ways people filter out that stuff.
Great series from start to end in 3d printing and what it takes from printer to settings to safety
Thanks for making these! Makes resin printing feel more accessible
I'm printing my first model thanks to your amazing videos.
I pre wash in a small container to remove most of the resin then put them into the cleaning station. Remove supports after quick brush clean again and cure
A cleaning machine would be such a massive step up from my current setup (Pickle Jar + Toothbrush)
A dedicated lab like rooms is probably the best way to deal with the vocs. I am currently building a system to measure air quality and tell me when it becomes to much. The smell isn't the unhealthy stuff. It's the stuff you don't smell.
Nice video, totally bought a silicone cookie sheet, I've dripped so much resin all over taking the build plate off.
Nice tutorials. Always like seeing how people do things, helps me adjust my workflow.
Thanks again Ross, have watched and rewatched several times now. Just starting my resin journey and have gone down the DIY pickle jar and UV light/turntable in a box (all in the garage), will eventually move to a wash and cure station. Think you've hit 100k views across the three videos now 😉
Thanks Ross, loads of useful info to digest. Just need a maintenance guide for cleaning up the printer after a successful print. I'm still itching to go resin once I've sorted a space in the garage
ooh, that's a good idea... Added to the list....
I might give it a go at swapping to spirits and incorporating a second wash in between the pickle jar and the wash station
The Second picklejar makes a hell of a difference, if nothing else it clears the majority of liquid resin off and keeps your main wash station clearer for longer
Great video! I appreciate the focus on safety while handling 3D prints
Cleaning prints is mandatory. And they're much less of a mess.
I went the photon mono m5s route and couldn’t happier in the last 2wks and 20 odd prints since I got it. That said I am glad you are having good luck with your GKtwo…
For those in the US, “Methylated Spirits” is denatured alcohol. Which I have been using for a while now, and it works great! Just watch out for the fumes. I think they are slightly more potent than rubbing alcohol. But that’s just my opinion.
Thanks for explaining things in detail again!
Fantastic!
I really wasn’t sure what resin involved…but liked the results.
Pickle jars, and dog mat ordered!
Now…Saturn 4 or ?
i was realy looking forward to this guide. I had no idea about the whole washing and curing part and like you mentioned i was without a clue allready thinking about DIY solutions xD
The more i watch your vids, the more i come to the conclusion that i am going to buy the GKTWO bundle.
Again thanks for the great video. As usual a great amount of infos in a short amount of time, without being overhelming.
Tips and equipment I recomend:
Respirator with correct organic vapour filters like JSP - 4713 - the IPA fumes are more dangerous to health especially when used in a open top container in a ultrasonic the vibrations cause the IPA to go airborne causing hazard to not only fire but also breathing if you seal the lid then fumes contained.
Fire retardant chemical storage cabinet for storing 5L plus bottles of IPA, major fire risk leaving massive containers of highly flammable liquid lying around.
Methylated spirits it’s can also burn without a flame and can be more volatile to combustion,
UK weather is very damp and humid so less of an issue but dry climates with heat it could be more of a problem.
Also the amount of respirators I see people using that have the wrong cartridges for organic vapour, I see people using dust masks as if that makes a difference,
Final tip although debated online running a print farm in your house with 5 printers is probably not a good idea for the long term health of your children 😅
I'm not sure if this has put me off resin printing or not. It's given me quite a bit more to ponder. Thanks forthe video!
Think of it this way (good or bad): If you're OK with the idea of cleaning a public restroom (including the wearing gloves, eye protection, harsh cleaners), then a resin printer is no probleml. You don't want to touch the stuff with your skin, if you do, you want to wash immediately. It's not going to smell great, and you probably _really_ want to have some ventilation (as public restrooms do).
Hell, if you've changed enough _diapers_, cleaned up enough cat litter boxes, or have other experience with cleaning where you _do not want_ to ever touch - but are safe to handle with protection.
As a scale modeler this would be awesome to have and print detailed engines.
I've been resin printing for about 6 months now. I bought a printer and a wash and cure bundle because after looking into the steps it takes, I decided i wanted to automate that as much as possible. I quickly moved from printing miniatures to printing large statues, something i couldn't afford to buy before. My biggest problem is still cleaning up support marks and hiding part joins with miliputt. Ive got all sorts of sandpaper, files, and even a rotary engraver with a whole mess of bits and i still suck at getting it smooth and hiding the joins.
Really enjoyed your collaboration with Guy, especially the Q&A! Fun and informative :)