Why using ABS? (difficult to print, stinky...)

[djprinter]

-Abs is less brittle, which is better for some parts.
-Abs has a higher melt point, which is good for parts that are used outdoors in on hot days.
-Abs is smoother and more naturally lubricated which makes it less likely to jam an extruder and puts less wear on your nozzles

That said, there are lots of alternatives these days that give ABS a run for it's money in these areas as well.

[Hugues]

-Abs is less brittle, which is better for some parts.
-Abs has a higher melt point, which is good for parts that are used outdoors in on hot days.
-Abs is smoother and more naturally lubricated which makes it less likely to jam an extruder and puts less wear on your nozzles

That said, there are lots of alternatives these days that give ABS a run for it's money in these areas as well.

Less brittle than what ? we would need a unit of measure here for brittleness...

Higher melt point than what ? Proto Pasta High temp carbon PLA, once over treated, has a theoretical Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of more than 140C.
Printed ABS is lower than this.

Smoother and more naturally lubricated ? than what ? I believe Nylon is better. Would need specs here.

Let's try to put some numbers behind our claims. Or else it's just a wasted discussion.

[djprinter]

Less brittle than what ? we would need a unit of measure here for brittleness...

Higher melt point than what ? Proto Pasta High temp carbon PLA, once over treated, has a theoretical Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) of more than 140C.
Printed ABS is lower than this.

Smoother and more naturally lubricated ? than what ? I believe Nylon is better. Would need specs here.

Let's try to put some numbers behind our claims. Or else it's just a wasted discussion.

This started as an ABS vs. PLA thread, so the "compared to what" is implied.

Every filament has upsides and downsides: carbon PLA is expensive and will put a lot of extra wear on your nozzles, Nylon requires a lot of heat and is a pain to keep dry.

As others have stated, you use the right tool for the job at hand.