discussion Water washable resin

[Andy T]

As some of you may know I've been pondering a resin printer for some time.

With their prices falling they are looking even more feasible, and the better availability of water washable resins makes it seem a much less chemical heavy pursuit than cleaning with IPA.

My question is, does anyone have much experience with such resins? The word on the street seems to be that they can be a bit more fragile, but given that I'd mostly be using it for model parts, and my son for miniatures, I can't see that being an issue.


It will be housed in our utility room (where the gaffer allows a little mess ) and I'll have a sink etc handy (no, I won't be washing it straight down the drain)

Currently on my radar is the Elegoo mars 5 ultra, plus a suitable cure station. Any advice on that particular model would be good to hear too.

Thanks in advance.

 

[John Race]

I'd ask Neil , think he has one Andy.

 

[Andy T]

Thanks John, I was kind of hoping Neil would see this.

 

[Steven000]

I've not yet used waterbased resin, but keep in mind it's still a toxic brew when you clean the models in water. It gives a false sense of safety imho. Probably fine for what you're planning to do with it though. Have fun

 

[Andy T]

Thanks Steven, I hadn't thought about it that way.

I'm aware that it still needs treating carefully but I guess I'd naturally be even more cautious if other chemicals were involved.

 

[A7man]

I use nitrile gloves when using water washable resin. Not latex or the other one?! I have never tried "ordinary" resin so would be interested to hear a comparison from someone who has used both. I can say from personal experience the WW resin can warp very badly. I recently decided to use my Ender3 to print a small plaque with lettering instead of my resin printer. I knew the resin print was likely to warp and wondered how much filling etc a PLA print would take. I printed one plaque at 0.16 layer height and it came out perfect-ish. One or two small divots in some of the letters that were easy to fill. I now have a renewed respect for my Ender, but wonder how much better a new printer/resin setup could be.
Lee

 

[Neil Merryweather]

Andy, I can heartily recommend the Elegoo Mars, although I have a much earlier version. I've never tried the water washable resin so I can't advise I'm afraid. I think probably the only benefit is that you don't have to buy IPA for cleaning.

 

[Andy T]

Thanks for your insight Lee and Neil.

To be honest I thought WW resin would make life much easier, but the more I research, the more blurred the lines become. I'll be getting a wash & cure station anyway (either combined or separate, still undecided) so I might as well start with IPA cleaning until I get a bit of experience under my belt.

Thanks again for all of your replies. I'll start a topic once the printer arrives to document my initial fumblings

 

[John Race]

Would be an interesting topic Andy. Many of the younger guys would find it good. Too old myself

 

[Andy T]

Would be an interesting topic Andy. Many of the younger guys would find it good. Too old myself

I probably am myself, but I'm lucky to still have a youth knocking around the house

I reckon Thomas will use it 90% of the time, but it'll come in very handy for me at times.

One of his best mates is studying 3d modeling at Uni, so that side of things is covered too.