hey guys, my printer finally prints! however, when i try to print a belt clamp (as an example) my first layer doesnt want to stick (pla/yellow masking tape). my questions are when do i need to use a raft? when dont i need to use a raft? is there a better build surface for me to use? do i need a raft on that? thanks https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93944#msg-93944 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:08:08 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94102#msg-94102 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94102#msg-94102 -------------------------------------------------------
> When printing on blue painters masking tape, use a
> piece of sand paper to lightly scratch the surface
> and then clean it with some Isopropyl alcohol
> (Sold often as tape head cleaner) and don't touch
> it after you have cleaned it. Natural oil from
> your hands will reduce the bonding.
> I think some blue painters masking tape has a film
> material that needs removing. The stuff I use
> feels a bit oily.
> I had issues before I started using this method. I
> use a heated bed to reduce waping but not for
> bonding.

Alcohol works really well but I find it makes for a one use build surface. But because I can never get the part off with out taking half the tape with it I only use it before printing large objects that are prone to warping.

The rest of the time I use plain old blue tape over and over.]]> Sublime General Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:35:44 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94100#msg-94100 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94100#msg-94100 dean448 General Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:08:10 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94097#msg-94097 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,94097#msg-94097 I think some blue painters masking tape has a film material that needs removing. The stuff I use feels a bit oily.
I had issues before I started using this method. I use a heated bed to reduce waping but not for bonding.

Also have the extruder tip very close to the print table surface. Basically squashes the PLA onto the tape for the first layer.
Temperature needs to be at 190C, depending on your heater/extruder/sensor you may not be getting the correct temperature that you may think you have.]]> RepRot General Sun, 14 Aug 2011 18:10:01 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93956#msg-93956 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93956#msg-93956 jamesdanielv General Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:37:58 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93952#msg-93952 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93952#msg-93952
im using ABS on Blue masking tape.]]> owism8 General Fri, 12 Aug 2011 19:25:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93945#msg-93945 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93945#msg-93945
I have the first layer 5c hotter than the rest.

Be sure to purge the extruder before printing. ( I purge 40mm = G1 E40 F300 )

And when my bed was uneven I found it helped to have the flow rate modifier in Raft set to 1.05 ( 5% extra on the first layer )]]> Sublime General Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:46:29 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93944#msg-93944 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,93944,93944#msg-93944 Hobbes20xx General Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:36:59 -0400