Where do you place your printers?

[svedblen]

So everyone is getting a 3D printer it seems. But where do you place them? Can you run a resin printer and what not in an ordinary room, such as a spare bedroom? Or would the resin ”fumes” kill you unless you have some kind of forced or dedicated ventilation? Is it enough to have a window slightly ajar?

[John]

Mine is in the basement inside an enclosure and vented to the outside by a blower- the fumes are hazardous .. see the MSDS sheets for anycubic here https://www.anycubic.com/pages/material-safety-data-sheet

always wear gloves, safety glasses, some sort of respirator if needed, and keep of your skin

[Chris333]

How are they hazardous?

My printer is on a table about 10 feet away from where I'm typing right now. I don't smell a thing.

[dem34]

Built in filters matter, quite the difference between the Original Photon I tried 4yrs ago and my Photon Mono. That said the Mono has been banished to a previously abandoned well pump room in my basement.

[JeffB]

Basement workshop...  Away from any living space.  No special ventilation or otherwise, but I do use gloves (ALWAYS!) and wear eye glasses all the time.

Some resins are worse than others (smell)...  I stopped using AnyCubic's resins after the second print.  Just horrible smelling.  Now use mostly Elegoo grey resin, which has next to no smell.

Jeff

[JMaurer1]

Living in Cali, I am unfamiliar with this 'basement' thing that you are talking about...

[sd80mac]

I had mine in the hobby/craft room, but I always smelled the dull sweet scent of the Elegoo Water Washable Resin. From what I was hearing on all of the YouTube reviews is that it would be best not to smell anything! I wanted to try and purchase the Elegoo carbon filters, but they weren’t CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant and wouldn’t ship to my address. So, I put it out in the garage until I can get some type of filtration.

Donnell

[ncbqguy]

Having zero print experience with my machine but reading many of your posts here I am guessing that print quality can be influenced by What you place your machine on......a heavy surface that will not amplify movements of the stepper motors might help prevent the stair stepping in prints.  Maybe a concrete step stone or granite remanent?
Charlie Vlk

[sd80mac]

Hi Charlie,

As far as I know, the surface has little impact other than needing to be as level as possible. This is mainly so your resin doesn't spill out of the vat.

Donnell

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Having zero print experience with my machine but reading many of your posts here I am guessing that print quality can be influenced by What you place your machine on......a heavy surface that will not amplify movements of the stepper motors might help prevent the stair stepping in prints.  Maybe a concrete step stone or granite remanent?
Charlie Vlk

I feel like this is a much bigger concern in FDM machines than resin machines.

[Scottl]

I spent 25 years working with various epoxy and UV-cure resins in a laboratory setting.  I don't have a resin printer yet, but when I do, previous comments about the MSDS and protective gear will be top on my mind.  Note that standard nitrile gloves are not always sufficient protection for these compounds and just because you can't smell it, doesn't mean it is not harmful.  We had build-up of resin volatiles on surfaces in our fume hoods which had to be replaced due to fire risk.  We used resin typically a few times a month, FWIW.  Charcoal filters are one way to manage this issue and I think some 3D printer companies sell these as a good option for those concerned.

[JeffB]

Note that standard nitrile gloves are not always sufficient protection for these compounds and just because you can't smell it, doesn't mean it is not harmful. 

Sage advice... 

On a similar note...  I have a friend (fellow model railroader) that has developed a sensitivity to working with casting resin and acetone after years of working with it without proper ventilation.

I often wonder if I'm shortening my lifespan using similar chemicals and 3d printing resins without adequate ventilation.

JB

[peteski]

I often wonder if I'm shortening my lifespan using similar chemicals and 3d printing resins without adequate ventilation.
JB

Everything you come in contact with, inhale, or eat will eventually kill you (I'm typing this while smelling model airplane dope).  Ummm . . . smells so sweet.   

[Chris333]

It is now not safe to drink rain water.

[Scottl]

Whatever.