I thought that I had humidity under control in the upstairs of our home where my workshop and den are, which hold my 3D printers (and other equipment). I was mistaken. During the long rain cycles we were getting the average humidity got up to ~60% and my filament was starting to shows signs of moisture.
Creality_Space_Pi_Plus_01.jpg
I did some research and found out about this Creality Space Pi Plus Filament Dryer (https://a.co/d/hfbPxNN) and ordered it. I didn't use it right away and have had a few bad prints since then. So now I am drying my filament spools 2 at a time. After that, I am currently putting them in a gallon Ziplock bag with a desiccant pack.
Creality_Space_Pi_Plus_02.jpg
One thing I am thinking about trying that was suggested by a coworker is to use one of those food vacuum seal tools for storing the filament. This is how filament comes from the start. The Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer (https://a.co/d/3MmyXR5) is an example of one that has reusable bags. This one is a bit pricy, but it's a starting point to find one that would be a great deal.
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 17, 2025, 09:38 AMI thought that I had humidity under control in the upstairs of our home where my workshop and den are, which hold my 3D printers (and other equipment). I was mistaken. During the long rain cycles we were getting the average humidity got up to ~60% and my filament was starting to shows signs of moisture.
Creality_Space_Pi_Plus_01.jpg
I did some research and found out about this Creality Space Pi Plus Filament Dryer (https://a.co/d/hfbPxNN) and ordered it. I didn't use it right away and have had a few bad prints since then. So now I am drying my filament spools 2 at a time. After that, I am currently putting them in a gallon Ziplock bag with a desiccant pack.
Creality_Space_Pi_Plus_02.jpg
One thing I am thinking about trying that was suggested by a coworker is to use one of those food vacuum seal tools for storing the filament. This is how filament comes from the start. The Chef Preserve Compact Vacuum Sealer (https://a.co/d/3MmyXR5) is an example of one that has reusable bags. This one is a bit pricy, but it's a starting point to find one that would be a great deal.
I've got a cheap one from Amazon, works pretty well. That's a good idea, what about those ones that are reusable, and the little packets that come with them? What could be used?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BBDG5MK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09BBDG5MK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title)
A while back, I saw a project (sorry, I don't remember where) where the person cut a small hole in one of those tubs (kind of like https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B082VWP51J.) Then he covered the hole with something like foam rubber, or maybe a sponge. He placed the spool of filament inside the tub, along with desiccant, then fed the end of the filament through the small hole, and through the foam rubber. This would keep the filament dry, and also automatically clean the filament as it was being pulled out by the printer.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 17, 2025, 01:01 PMI've got a cheap one from Amazon, works pretty well. That's a good idea, what about those ones that are reusable, and the little packets that come with them? What could be used?
Mine has two desiccant pouches in special compartments within the dryer, though I add one inside the hub of the spool. Originally, I was going to get this SUNLU Official Filament Dryer Box (https://a.co/d/2Wdtegf) from Amazon, but didn't think I wanted to do four at a time. But I saw a review on it and it was listed in a couple of reviews that had it listed as the best bang for the buck.
Quote from: granz on Jul 17, 2025, 01:21 PMHe placed the spool of filament inside the tub, along with desiccant, then fed the end of the filament through the small hole, and through the foam rubber. This would keep the filament dry, and also automatically clean the filament as it was being pulled out by the printer.
Many of the dryers (including mine), have feed holes and tubes so you can print while the filament is drying. By the way, filament dryers are an emerging technology. Before these existed, people used to use food dehydrators. :o
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 17, 2025, 02:21 PMBy the way, filament dryers are an emerging technology. Before these existed, people used to use food dehydrators. :o
That's a good idea - never thought of that. And, I have a dehydrator too - maybe I could use that (if necessary.)
While looking into this, I saw something about filament only lasting for about a year. Mine is over two years old; hopefully it will still work as it has not been opened.
Quote from: granz on Jul 17, 2025, 04:35 PMThat's a good idea - never thought of that. And, I have a dehydrator too - maybe I could use that (if necessary.)
Just be mindful of the temperature. You don't want to go above 50°C for PLA.
Quote from: granz on Jul 17, 2025, 04:35 PMWhile looking into this, I saw something about filament only lasting for about a year. Mine is over two years old; hopefully it will still work as it has not been opened.
Yeah, I'm not sure about that. If it's not opened, then it should have come vacuum shrink-wrapped?
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 17, 2025, 02:19 PMQuote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 17, 2025, 01:01 PMI've got a cheap one from Amazon, works pretty well. That's a good idea, what about those ones that are reusable, and the little packets that come with them? What could be used?
Mine has two desiccant pouches in special compartments within the dryer, though I add one inside the hub of the spool. Originally, I was going to get this SUNLU Official Filament Dryer Box (https://a.co/d/2Wdtegf) from Amazon, but didn't think I wanted to do four at a time. But I saw a review on it and it was listed in a couple of reviews that had it listed as the best bang for the buck.
that's what i did for mine, 2 spools n didn't cost much and has holes in multiple locations to feed filament through.
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 17, 2025, 07:37 PMQuote from: granz on Jul 17, 2025, 04:35 PMThat's a good idea - never thought of that. And, I have a dehydrator too - maybe I could use that (if necessary.)
Just be mindful of the temperature. You don't want to go above 50°C for PLA.
Quote from: granz on Jul 17, 2025, 04:35 PMWhile looking into this, I saw something about filament only lasting for about a year. Mine is over two years old; hopefully it will still work as it has not been opened.
Yeah, I'm not sure about that. If it's not opened, then it should have come vacuum shrink-wrapped?
Every roll I've gotten have been vac packs.
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 17, 2025, 07:37 PMYeah, I'm not sure about that. If it's not opened, then it should have come vacuum shrink-wrapped?
Yeah, unfortunately they have not been taken out of their boxes since I packed them up to move (in Feb 2023! :o ) So, I don't even remember, but I think that they are vacuum sealed.
I am getting closer to clearing a space to set up my printer. When that gets done, I will be breaking out the filament to start printing.
Quote from: JKnightandKARR on Jul 17, 2025, 08:13 PMEvery roll I've gotten have been vac packs.
While I am relatively new to things, I suspect that's pretty much the standard. Though, I can't comment on the shelf life of filament, even shrink-wrapped.
Phone stand - Statue Cat (https://makerworld.com/en/models/1324436-phone-stand-statue-cat#profileId-1380416)
20250715_120559.jpg
This is what can happen when your filament gets damp.
20250715_120618.jpg
Mind you, the print profile was also an issue, but the strands and jaggies are from the moisture.
20250715_120817.jpg
Of course, even if the filament was dry, this print would have been a bust. Check out the scaling? It's supposed to be a cell phone holder. :-\
Quote from: Chris Savage on Jul 20, 2025, 07:28 PMCheck out the scaling? It's supposed to be a cell phone holder. :-\
Umm yep! A bit on the small side, I would have to say.