Noob 101 - Designing your own parts

[Jules]

Hairspray or gluestick. I personally prefer hairspray. One good base coat and then a light spritz between prints. Clean it off every dozen prints or so.

Keeping PLA stuck down is a challenge - it warps up as it cools - you need to give it something to hold on to. When it warps up, the nozzle hits it and boom, you've got walking hairball. Make sure the initial base coat is heavy and uniform. Then once it cools (and you might have to freeze it to get it off the plate) you can carefully pry up a corner to get the adhesive to let go.

Alternatively, you can buy a special plate that holds it without letting it warp up, and does not need spray or glue. But you basically need to reset everything, so you might want to try the spray first.

[jsc]

Check the M2 tips thread

Bed adhesion: two issues, bed level/z height setting, and stickiness.

For the first, run an extrusion calibration and use the model to figure out what to set your gcode offset to. A 2mm tall cube should be exactly 2mm tall.
For the second, get some purple Elmer's glue stick and apply a layer to the cold bed (you can also use hairspray, but I find it a little... messy).

People have started getting all exotic with their beds recently. PEI, "zebra plate", etc. But glue stick on glass is great for PLA at least.

[jimc]

Typically most of us use one of two adhesives....glue stick or hair spray

[jdlev]

Typically most of us use one of two adhesives....glue stick or hair spray

I suppose I do owe a 'kudos' to you good sir on the recommendations on the m2 (and all the advice) . Also, had some stick glue and used that to get the PLA to stick. On top of that, changed one of the process settings to include a 3mm raft around the base. Worked like a charm, so thanks to all the folks who recommended that It actually worked so well, I let it print after I went to bed last night, and woke up to a perfectly formed turbine blade this morning

I'll also definitely delve into the tips thread to see what I can find there. Downloaded Fusion 360 based on the first few recommendations on design software and have to say...it's very impressive, though looks pretty complicated. I figure it's worth a shot so learn, so I'll have to dive into that in the coming weeks.

On a sad note, I have decided I will NOT be printing any drones. I think I had about a total of 2 hours of flight time (if I'm lucky), and managed to lose 2 (yes...not 1...2) $100 drones. I think the bermuda triangle taken up residency around my house...because the damn things just fly off and disappear.

So let's see...what to print today?? The turbine blades and hub for my little mini wind turbine are done. Maybe a small generator casing and tail to stabilize it? I know...a fan case for a bbq temp control system. Been meaning to do that for a while

Thanks again everyone for the advice. This m2 is my new addiction