this post was submitted on 14 Aug 2023
24 points (92.9% liked)

3DPrinting

15657 readers
101 users here now

3DPrinting is a place where makers of all skill levels and walks of life can learn about and discuss 3D printing and development of 3D printed parts and devices.

The r/functionalprint community is now located at: [email protected] or [email protected]

There are CAD communities available at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Rules

If you need an easy way to host pictures, https://catbox.moe may be an option. Be ethical about what you post and donate if you are able or use this a lot. It is just an individual hosting content, not a company. The image embedding syntax for Lemmy is ![](URL)

Moderation policy: Light, mostly invisible

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Not so long ago I bought my first 3D printer. It hasn't shipped yet, but I'm gathering knowledge so hopefully I'll be able to use it when it arrives.

One of the things I noticed while choosing the printer was that many specified "perfect first layer". What's so special about it? What should a beginner such as I know about it?

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

In addition to first layer adhesion being critical, it's a good calibration tool. The first layer makes it easy to see if you have your z-offset right, among other things.

I had mine too high and my e steps too low and compensated by adjusting flow and temp in my slicer which lead to other issues later on like bad overhangs, random gaps between layers, ugly top layers, etc. I was pulling my hair out trying to adjust slicer settings but my height and extrusion were just off.

After getting a really good first layer, prints have been way cleaner, simply because the settings required to get a perfect first layer matter for other layers too, they're just not as obvious there.

That's my newbie take anyway. I've been printing for about a month

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Another good take: never compensate if you can calibrate or adjust the actual value. Or, simply, never compensate.