- Joined
- Feb 17, 2013
- Messages
- 4,403
OK, a disclaimer ... I don't know diddly nothin' about 3D printing. That said ... I was browsing the local Craigslist a couple minutes ago and saw an ad for some string trimmer line at a good price. It suddenly dawned on me that this line is a thermoplastic polymer, much the same as the PLA and ABS used in 3D printers. Did some preliminary looking. PLA melts around 180-220ºC. ABS melts around 221ºC. I assumed that string trimmer line is made of nylon. Nylon 6 melts at 220ºC, Nylon 6,6 at 265ºC.
Questions -
1. Has anybody tried using string trimmer line in a 3D printer?
2. Does the nozzle temperature even go hot enough to handle Nylon 6,6?
3. What's the relative cost of string trimmer line versus PLA or ABS?
4. Is string trimmer line available in the suitable diameter for a 3D printer?
As mentioned in the title, this is a totally wild hair ... but if string trimmer line is cheaper than the stuff you normally buy for a 3D printer, it might be something worth looking into. Have fun!
Questions -
1. Has anybody tried using string trimmer line in a 3D printer?
2. Does the nozzle temperature even go hot enough to handle Nylon 6,6?
3. What's the relative cost of string trimmer line versus PLA or ABS?
4. Is string trimmer line available in the suitable diameter for a 3D printer?
As mentioned in the title, this is a totally wild hair ... but if string trimmer line is cheaper than the stuff you normally buy for a 3D printer, it might be something worth looking into. Have fun!