Last week I took the bait and bought some esun pla+ from an Amazon.de sale.

I normally print with Colorfabb of Prusament. Almost for 5y now and never had real issues, especially not with the Prusa Mini.

But now, I loaded a fresh rol and it just… was awful: under extrusion galore even in the first layer! A lot of clicking and clacking… just 😒

I read somewhere their filament comes “wet”… pretty convenient that they also sell… overpriced dryers right?!

Anyway I’m going to build a dryer now. Hoping that resolved the issues and this wasn’t all money wasted… sigh

Anyway I was wondering if someone else had the same issues? Or experience with this brand? How can you know that it’s dried enough? Or can it really only be with testing?

I’m investing in a mk4 soon, this has a direct drive, instead of a Bowden. Will this be less of an issue? I mean I know about the quality issues I was just thinking about that it seems like it just cannot pass properly, through … and I forgot how it’s named: the thingie that feeds the filament.

Anyway if anything: be cautious with that brand. I wish I had read some more before buying it, I trusted the reviews to much I guess

Anyway sorry for the long kinda rand post… it has been… a challenging week… 🤟

  • @[email protected]English
    2•1 year ago

    I’m using eSUN PLA+ for some weeks now on a Voxelab Aquila X2 (Ender 3 V2 clone) and it’s slightly wet resulting in some stringing I did not experience with other PLA.

    You might be aware that it needs a higher temperature than normal PLA, I print with 210°C and overall I’m quite happy with the results.

    • @GompjeOPEnglish
      1•1 year ago

      My first printer was an Ender v1, gifted it to my dad. I wish it wouldn’t JUST have issues with printing (again) so I could try it in that one, but well … it has been a … challenging week. That printer is completely out of commission right now. I think the heatwave we have had last week took a victim. at least for now. It certainly not the weather to thinker with him… and to be honest Idk if I will, given we will invest in an MK4 soon. Think the Ender had has run it’s course 🫡

      anyway let just hope the drying works. I had such different experience with the colours that I have some hope. I just wish I only bought 1 to start and not … 5… 🤦‍♀️

      You guys saying “it works fine for me” gives me hope! :)

        • @GompjeOPEnglish
          1•1 year ago

          I tested blue today and this is what the printer sounds like: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1--GQhX2GFcpsEfimN5OlavTZ4QnUrfAd/view?usp=sharing if you look on the right you can see that he imho has no grip on the filament, the blue does not move.

          the first layer was ok this time. I first thought it was the speed but when I changed that it’s the same after a while. it’s like the constant movement that is the issue. grip ? what do you think?

          • @[email protected]English
            2•1 year ago

            Are you sure that is related to the filament? Sounds more like the stepper motors or a some debris on the wheels.

            • @GompjeOPEnglish
              1•1 year ago

              I thought so first too, but then I tested with Colorfabb and that printed fine. This is what he does now: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1--gi48ZBEKtiFpS5eMzb4E33fSB9xVF2/view?usp=sharing … perfect printing! I didn’t do anything other than changing the filament.

              yes it is the same model, but a different file. And I did test this file with the esun as well b/c this economic PLA needs some higher temps. same results.

              • @[email protected]English
                1•1 year ago

                That’s really strange.

                What’s the temperature you are printing the eSUN PLA+ filament? Maybe it’s too low and the noozle scratches on the print?

                • @GompjeOPEnglish
                  2•1 year ago

                  I’m now testing with the yellow. That has been dried for 4h.

                  If I use the default preset from Prusaslicer the problem starts after the first layer. It then cools down from 215, 0 fan - to 210 with 84pt fan. I live adjusted these values, I think I found the sweet spot: it’s very high, I’m now printing at 230 nozzle, 60 bed, 100 speed and 84 fan. I tinkered with the fan some but decided to leave that and upped the temp.

                  It seems like it was a temp issue after all. I think I got so used to the very good profiles in Prusaslicer, and with the heat/shitty week I couldn’t think straight 🤪

                  Maybe it’s something with the mini as well that it cools down to quickly for this filament. Could have been a combination: a bit to wet, needing the higher temps, it has now been in the dryer for 4h I will leave the others for 6. (At. 45c) and see if that changes anything.

                  Either way I’m glad it does print now. Even if the temp to me is very high. That said I’m only used to normal pla and petg. My week already felt better and this tops it as well. Just the thought of the money wasted… well things where learned so there is that 😉

                  I will let you guys now for sure! Just talking about this helped a ton! I’m a long time Reddit user but man, I so far I really do love the peoples that moved to Lemmy way more 🤟

                  • @GompjeOPEnglish
                    3•1 year ago

                    So far I’m not a fan at all… I don’t think the stock Prusa mini and this filament are a good match. I had to live adjust a bunch b/c I suddenly had overextension and then under again. I’ve read that others having issues as well, something about the hotend not able to keep up. Maybe it will print better on the newer mk4…

                    It “prints” now but it’s not the quality I’m used to with Colorfabb or Prusament. Guess I’m going to need to finetune this and use it for more rough, own use, prints. At least it does print now 😙

                    Let see what the drying of 6h+ will do