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…....---- Failed Print, Clean Your Resin Vat ---

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On a recent print.....

….. I forgot to put supports under the bunks that extend out the sides and they partially failed.

I fixed the supports and almost went on to printing the newly supported prints but........... felt the missing parts of the failed print might be in the resin vat. I never empty the vat as I only use one resin for everything (Siraya Tech 'Build' Sonic Grey). I add to it and cover it between prints, usually off the printer in case it started having a slow leak.

I decided some time back to always empty/strain the vat if a print had fails so strained the vat into a cottage cheese container as show above. The filters I've had for years for when I was painting my street rod and are really cheap so cheap insurance vs. having to replace the FEP film. I haven't had it happen but can see where if there is semi-cured resin bits from a failed print in the resin at the beginning of the print when the build plate goes all the way down to the bottom of the vat it could push those pieces into the FEP film and possibly through it.

After emptying the vat and as I wiped it clean with a paper towel I did indeed find a number of semi-cured resin bits that matched the missing parts on the print. The ones above were only some of them.

I was able to pick the failed print parts out and used the strainer a second time to pour the resin back into the vat. Ran the next print with no problems and the prints came our fine.

When I started resin printer I used the putty type knife that came with the printer to remove prints. Hated how hard it was to use so moved onto razor blades (real ones) and then the plastic ones. Better results but still not easy in my mind removing prints.

Then I saw some one using/recommending the paint knife shown above. It is so much easier than the previous methods. I'd never would go back and bet you wouldn't either and would regret you waited so long to get one. I've heard of these braking but hasn't happened to me and fearing it might I bought a spare.

When removing the support pick up the edge of the support with the wider part of the knife towards the handle, not the tip. You will find it very easy to pick up the edge of a support on the end and then slide the knife under it and work it towards the other end of the print and slide it off.

I bought the knife ( HERE ) but there are a number of other sources for it also.

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