New to 3d Printing - Flash Forge First Printer - Questions

I just got a Flash Forge Creator Pro and I finally got my first two printers to work but from the SD Card and through Replicator G.. I have a couple of questions that maybe someone can guide me or point me to a good resource


1. Cleaning the print bed.. I used a "glue" type application that came with the printer on my print bed and now I need to clean it off but am worried about hurting the print bed itself.. is cleaning just with alcohol recommended?

2. How to get prints off the bed? My first two prints I felt like I had to literally Pry it off the print bed. Surely I'm missing something on how to get the prints off the bed. I've read about using Painters Tape, hair spray etc.. is there a guide or guidance on this?

3. First few layers are "smaller" than the rest. This one I am unsure of how to explain, I printed a test cube (20mm) and the bottom layers appear to be "tapered" in almost like the "square" was smaller than the subsequent layers.. When looking it appears maybe the first 2 or 3 layers are like this.. the Top layers when finishing the cube appear perfectly square

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Originally Posted by Hstreet

1. Cleaning the print bed.. I used a "glue" type application that came with the printer on my print bed and now I need to clean it off but am worried about hurting the print bed itself.. is cleaning just with alcohol recommended?

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Alcohol or acetone works just fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hstreet

2. How to get prints off the bed? My first two prints I felt like I had to literally Pry it off the print bed. Surely I'm missing something on how to get the prints off the bed. I've read about using Painters Tape, hair spray etc.. is there a guide or guidance on this?

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It varies with material and the bed adhesion method you are using. Mine are always difficult to remove. You can pick up a thin sharp edged scraper or "3D print removal tool" from amazon or a hardware store - these tend to help. Wedge them in around the outsides of your prints and they will pop off easier. I personally recommend upgrading to a glass bed so you can remove the bed from the machine. It makes it easier to handle the part and remove it safely.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hstreet

3. First few layers are "smaller" than the rest. This one I am unsure of how to explain, I printed a test cube (20mm) and the bottom layers appear to be "tapered" in almost like the "square" was smaller than the subsequent layers.. When looking it appears maybe the first 2 or 3 layers are like this.. the Top layers when finishing the cube appear perfectly square

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Sounds like maybe you are leveling your bed a bit too low. Try making it a little tighter against the paper.

DO NOT clean your bed with acetone, if you have the blue Buildtak type sticker. You will ruin the surface.

best advice i can give, is get a flexi build plate from print in z, it is the best you can get, printing with pla is a breeze, it sticks without needing to heat the bed, and prints just pop off when done, those that dont just flex the plate and they pop off. it was the single best upgrade i ever purchased.

see my thread here

http://3dprintboard.com/showthread.p...xi-Build-Plate

there is a link i the first post with my adventures in trying to use a glass bed.

how long does the zebra plate last you? it seems to me that it would need replaced eventually