3D print lines

[Vulcan0259]

Hi,
For those that 3D print, what's the most efficient way of removing print lines? I use PLA, sanding is effective but takes a long time by hand I feel if I use a Dremel I might dig too much,

 

[pinoyfiasco]

Unfortunately, for cosplay/prop building, sanding is the most reliable way to smooth out those layer lines. Even if you use some sort of filler (like Bondo or wood filler), you'll still need to sand it. Even at lower layer heights, you'll still have to sand it - I print everything at .16mm and I still have sanding to do.

You can use electric sanders (I highly recommend using ones with variable speed), like random orbitals or even handheld belt sanders like this to make it easier. That said, some parts will require you to just do it by hand, which is the most reliable way.

 

[SgtSaint]

Sanding. Please, please, please wear a good mask while sanding: Your lungs have to last a lifetime.

Over time you'll probably establish a collection of sanding tools including various power sanders, shaped hand sanders and so on.

 

[tahu505]

There's many methods people use for removing layer lines and unfortunately, all of them will involve sanding, but some methods can require less passes of sanding. The current method I use is to print at .1mm, brush on a coat of UV art resin, cured with a UV light, sand at 320, wash with rubbing alcohol, Rustoleum filler/primer, then wet sand at 600. Sometimes I'm lucky and just need to do those 2 passes of sanding, other times bondo spot putty needs to be applied to imperfections, then wet sanded again at 600. While less time is spent sanding, you do trade that for more time printing and having to work with UV art resin. (Use a respirator when dry sanding and when using resin. Use disposeable gloves for alcohol wash)

Dremel will dig too much and can melt and sling molten plastic if it's spinning too fast/being pressed too hard. A dremel is viable if you want to make cuts or add 3d battle damage, but definitely be careful even when doing that.

 

[N8TEBB]

I've stuck to just hand-bombing my sanding. I do find it is very useful to use something to fill the print lines as well; my go-to has been bondo spot putty. It's much softer than regular body filler and sands much more elegantly than wood filler. Spot putty along with high-build automotive filler primer and lots of sanding can make my layer lines disappear entirely. I'll probably have to do 2 to 4 rounds of filling-then-sanding before the workpiece is entirely smooth.