The general consensus is that acetone doesn't chemically react to pure PLA, but some PLA filaments contain other plastics that will react with acetone. So, mileage may vary depending on the filament used.
your 100% correct. I don't know why people are saying you can't weld PLA with acetone. I weld coil parts together and they take a huge strain and hold just fine. I find that glues do work but acetone works like a charm. The only draw back is it will discolor some pla's.
@@wilsonmura5930 I use several different brands and they weld just fine with acetone. I use HatchBox, Amazon Basic, SUn(something) and they all work and work really well. I still use the recommended 16 epoxy glue product and that works really good too.
@@mcorrade Awesome I will be buying one of this brands in my next purchase! Did not know Amazon has a basic for FDM how is it? I moved and all my plastic is still back there so I can't try welding. Thanks for the quick reply!
@@wilsonmura5930 I wasn't to sure how the Amazon basic would perform but was pleasantly surprised. I really like HatchBox but will use Amazon in a pinch especially when I can't get the color from HB I need. I forgot I also use Atomic which is good. My first filament was 3D Solutech which is terrible or, at least the spool I had was really brittle even after drying.
that sanding was the opposite of asmr so i guess i will never know what you said during the sanding but glad this works off to weld some shit with nail polish remover ! thanks for video!
Hey there I know Its been over 2 years, but do you know what brand of PLA you were using? as some have pointed out acetone welding PLA looks to be very brands plastic specific.
I always assumed that since acetone didn't seem to smooth PLA it wouldn't weld it either.. I've been sorta tig welding my shore trooper bits together with spare filament and a soldering iron.. Going to try this on R2.
I usually take a small bit of PLA, put it in my Dremel, turn it on low to med speed, and use that to weld the pieces together. It works VERY well. You just need to do it in places where it will never be seen.
i will try Acetone and look forward to seeing how it performs. Super glue is so weak now, i remember when it first came out it would stick everything in seconds, Including My Eye, My sister squeezed a tube so much it exploded in my eye, i was ok after a 2 hour op Anyway now if i get any on my fingers it hardly sticks So it is so weak, I guess it is so weak now due to reasons like what happened to me. A tip from me , Use a 3d pen to fill in gaps, No mixing things up, and best thing is, you use the same filament Thank you for sharing this info..
Baking soda glue trick nice thanks will try btw i like to use 3m acryl-red glaze putty for my small seams and oddities works great as long as you apply it in light layers issues arise when its on too thick
Weld-On #3 works for pla as a solvent/adhesive. Depending on the pla and the type of plastics they use to make the filament some works with acetone some does not.
Gordon... funny, I ran in to Thomas Sanlader's video just last week and did some experiments myself a couple days ago. I got some mixed results but when it worked, it worked well! Great video, Thanks. Also looking forward to your thoughts on XTC3D.
I still don't get it..I.see these videos but I have tested acetone on every single roll of my pla filament.and not a single one does anything in acetone.
I thought the same thing and never had PLA actually melt in acetone but never paid much attention to what was happening to the surface. I DID make a discovery this morning after making this video (I'll do an update vid about this soon). The acetone works WAY better on parts that have color but the clear PLA doesn't bond nearly as well. It works a bit but not strong like the other parts. I think whatever is added to the plastic to add the color is what's actually sensitive to the acetone.
gordontarpley ill have to try it. I've only tried smoothing pla which I've seen others do in videos and it definitely didn't smooth the surface. I've always used ca glue to bind parts as I assumed acetone didn't effect the place at all. I had even had a failed print that was a partial bowl and poured in acetone and let it sit for a day and it didn't deform.
I've been using dicholoromethane to solvent weld PLA the same way that you would use acetone with ABS. Works great so far. I've not tried making a slurry yet though. I got it to make a HIPS droid and thought I'd just give it a go and see what happened.
great tips ! thanks for the video, just curious, how big is your print bed , I would love to make a helmet but I don't think my bed is big enough . ( Anycubic 13 mega ) 210 X 210 x 205 mm
No need for a big bed to make big parts. That is if you are going for looks, and not high strength parts. Make your object in smaller parts, make them with interlocking sides. A simple little T shape should work well for thin parts. Then weld them using a 3D printer pen, or some filament held by a dremel wile pushing the spinning filament between the seams in an upward motion. That is known as friction welding. Sand smooth, then finish off with a smoothing compound. A trick for using a 3D pen for fusing, make sure a grove like bevel is there by default when printing each part where you intend on welding the pieces together. You will have more plastic flow in the premade bevel to help hold the parts together stronger.
Make sure you have ventilation. You show some signs of...poor ventilation. These fumes kill; early alzheimers. Set a better example in your videos for young people out there who still have their health by working under a hood or outside / open garage door and a dust mask at a minimum.
fyi..it is the moisture in the starch, baby powder(talc) speed the cure of the super glue. Any filler can be used that either retains water (humectant) or by adding very slight amounts of water. I mix pure talc with varying amounts of starch to improve sand-ability and speed of cure. I also use my fingers with starch on them to rub the desired area first then add the superglue, resulting in a diy kicker.
The general consensus is that acetone doesn't chemically react to pure PLA, but some PLA filaments contain other plastics that will react with acetone. So, mileage may vary depending on the filament used.
Did he mention the PLA brand he's using?
PLA is 100% soluble in acetone. I work with pure PLA daily.
I use 3D Solutech and it does not weld to gether with acetone can somebody please tell me a P l A that welds to gether with acetone
I use PLA HP from Colorfabb, it also does not weld with acetone. Doesnt even leave a scratch unfortunately 🤣
Why can I only give this video one like? It needs more.
I use 3D Solutech and it does not weld to gether with acetone can somebody please tell me a P l A that welds to gether with acetone
your 100% correct. I don't know why people are saying you can't weld PLA with acetone. I weld coil parts together and they take a huge strain and hold just fine. I find that glues do work but acetone works like a charm. The only draw back is it will discolor some pla's.
It looks to be very brands specific, what PLA are you using?
@@wilsonmura5930 I use several different brands and they weld just fine with acetone. I use HatchBox, Amazon Basic, SUn(something) and they all work and work really well. I still use the recommended 16 epoxy glue product and that works really good too.
@@mcorrade Awesome I will be buying one of this brands in my next purchase!
Did not know Amazon has a basic for FDM how is it?
I moved and all my plastic is still back there so I can't try welding.
Thanks for the quick reply!
@@wilsonmura5930 I wasn't to sure how the Amazon basic would perform but was pleasantly surprised. I really like HatchBox but will use Amazon in a pinch especially when I can't get the color from HB I need. I forgot I also use Atomic which is good. My first filament was 3D Solutech which is terrible or, at least the spool I had was really brittle even after drying.
@@mcorrade Awesome I'll add them to my list as well as some acetone.
And again, thanks for the quick reply!
Have an excellent weekend.
that sanding was the opposite of asmr so i guess i will never know what you said during the sanding but glad this works off to weld some shit with nail polish remover ! thanks for video!
Great, i was searching something to weld my battery box for ebike, and this seems to be perfect solution !
I just found your channel. Subbed. I love your method of video and your great tips. Keep it up. Thanks!
Hey there I know Its been over 2 years, but do you know what brand of PLA you were using? as some have pointed out acetone welding PLA looks to be very brands plastic specific.
This IS a game changer! Thanks!
Awesome sauce!
Did I do something wrong , I'm using Duramic 3d grey filament , PLA plus ...
Doest bond at all..
Or can I get a name of the PLA that it does work on
thanks a lot for sharing your experience!!!
I always assumed that since acetone didn't seem to smooth PLA it wouldn't weld it either.. I've been sorta tig welding my shore trooper bits together with spare filament and a soldering iron.. Going to try this on R2.
I usually take a small bit of PLA, put it in my Dremel, turn it on low to med speed, and use that to weld the pieces together. It works VERY well. You just need to do it in places where it will never be seen.
i will try Acetone and look forward to seeing how it performs.
Super glue is so weak now,
i remember when it first came out
it would stick everything in seconds, Including My Eye,
My sister squeezed a tube so much it exploded in my eye, i was ok after a 2 hour op
Anyway now if i get any on my fingers it hardly sticks
So it is so weak, I guess it is so weak now due to reasons like what happened to me.
A tip from me , Use a 3d pen to fill in gaps, No mixing things up, and best thing is, you use the same filament
Thank you for sharing this info..
love your more consistent videos
so interesting Gordon, have a great weekend and may the force be with you c3po
Baking soda glue trick nice thanks will try btw i like to use 3m acryl-red glaze putty for my small seams and oddities works great as long as you apply it in light layers issues arise when its on too thick
Weld-On #3 works for pla as a solvent/adhesive. Depending on the pla and the type of plastics they use to make the filament some works with acetone some does not.
Gordon... funny, I ran in to Thomas Sanlader's video just last week and did some experiments myself a couple days ago. I got some mixed results but when it worked, it worked well! Great video, Thanks. Also looking forward to your thoughts on XTC3D.
Isopropyl alcohol can be used as a kicker, you missed that tip.
Oh really? That's useful, i had no idea!
What is the brand of p l a you use. Acetone does not work on the brand I am using now. Please help
@@kafricano7684 my pla doesnt melt with acetone either abs does though.
Nice Job!
What type or brand of pla are you using that this worked for. I tried it on my trooper back piece and it would not work for me.
Very nice. A lot of things I know. Curious about why you stopped with epoxy on the outside of prints.
I still don't get it..I.see these videos but I have tested acetone on every single roll of my pla filament.and not a single one does anything in acetone.
I thought the same thing and never had PLA actually melt in acetone but never paid much attention to what was happening to the surface. I DID make a discovery this morning after making this video (I'll do an update vid about this soon). The acetone works WAY better on parts that have color but the clear PLA doesn't bond nearly as well. It works a bit but not strong like the other parts. I think whatever is added to the plastic to add the color is what's actually sensitive to the acetone.
gordontarpley ill have to try it. I've only tried smoothing pla which I've seen others do in videos and it definitely didn't smooth the surface. I've always used ca glue to bind parts as I assumed acetone didn't effect the place at all. I had even had a failed print that was a partial bowl and poured in acetone and let it sit for a day and it didn't deform.
Yeah, I've been using CA for PLA for ages with really good results.
Why didn't we try this before?!?? I just heard we couldn't weld PLA with acetone so I never bother to try... O M G !
can somebody please tell me what brand pla works best with welding with acetone
I've been using dicholoromethane to solvent weld PLA the same way that you would use acetone with ABS. Works great so far. I've not tried making a slurry yet though.
I got it to make a HIPS droid and thought I'd just give it a go and see what happened.
how to scale a helmet for 3d printing ? saludos desde Chile
Could you tell me how you finish your 3D printed parts?
great tips ! thanks for the video, just curious, how big is your print bed , I would love to make a helmet but I don't think my bed is big enough . ( Anycubic 13 mega ) 210 X 210 x 205 mm
No need for a big bed to make big parts. That is if you are going for looks, and not high strength parts. Make your object in smaller parts, make them with interlocking sides. A simple little T shape should work well for thin parts. Then weld them using a 3D printer pen, or some filament held by a dremel wile pushing the spinning filament between the seams in an upward motion. That is known as friction welding.
Sand smooth, then finish off with a smoothing compound.
A trick for using a 3D pen for fusing, make sure a grove like bevel is there by default when printing each part where you intend on welding the pieces together. You will have more plastic flow in the premade bevel to help hold the parts together stronger.
@@glenfoxh . thanks so much for the welding tip, if you haven't done so already it would make a great video
Make sure you have ventilation. You show some signs of...poor ventilation. These fumes kill; early alzheimers.
Set a better example in your videos for young people out there who still have their health by working under a hood or outside / open garage door and a dust mask at a minimum.
I know this is an old video, but I use acetone to help smooth pla after sanding
can somebody please tell me what brand pla works best with welding with acetone
@@kafricano7684 I’ve never had success with acetone, I sand the areas getting glued and use super glue
fyi..it is the moisture in the starch, baby powder(talc) speed the cure of the super glue. Any filler can be used that either retains water (humectant) or by adding very slight amounts of water. I mix pure talc with varying amounts of starch to improve sand-ability and speed of cure. I also use my fingers with starch on them to rub the desired area first then add the superglue, resulting in a diy kicker.
Wow super handy ! Thank you :D perhaps you can continue this by making another video on prepping and finishing the parts of the helmet ?
This. Changes. EVERYTHING.
RIGHT?!!! I've been so stoked all morning!
ecolink.com/shop/solvents/wipe-solvent/acetone-55-gallon-drum/
LMAO
hahaah