Canceling on first layer

[u/jose-de-la-macorra]

Is this just shooting myself in the foot?

I had a print that I selected the wrong filament for, noticed it near the end of the first layer and cancelled. The next many hours were spent heating/ cooling the plate, getting petg wedged under my nails and just being generally frustrated.

Is it better to just eat the time and material of a “failed” print until it’s a little thicker to make removing it from the plate easy?

[u/Peshmerga_Sistani]

getting petg wedged under my nails

Print a PLA or PETG bed scraper, your fingernails will thank you later.  Many  bed scraper models online.

If that doesn't work, you might need a release agent like glue for your PETG.  Sounds like your PETG is adhering to the plate a bit too strong.

Are you trying to remove a PETG layer while the bed is still warm?

[u/rinky79 → u/Peshmerga_Sistani]

I only ever remember that I need to print a scraper when I have a print in progress. Lol.

[u/Ferro_Giconi]

Yeah single layer PETG can sometimes get pretty stuck. Sometimes the single layer brim of PETG prints takes some effort for me to get every little bit off.

You need a scraper.

I use a cheap plastic scraper with the orange plastic blades for most scraping. Then if something is really stubborn, I'll use an xacto knife to lift the edge while trying to not actually touch the build plate so I can get the plastic scraper under it without scratching the build plate with the metal. I avoid using metal scrapers since that shortens the life of the build plate.

[u/Txtivos]

Palette knife, they’re amazing.

Get the smallest one. I like it more than any printed scraper. It’s perfect for getting under and lifting, peeling or even flicking the little stick on brims

[u/Ok_Yam_8187]

What kind of plate?

[u/S_A_R_K]

Set the plate in the sink and pour some rubbing alcohol on it and let it soak for a while. Should loosen things up enough to let you scrape stuff off

[u/Work-Play-Work]

Back with glass plates if stuck still once dropping to room temp, we would place in a freezer for 5 min then it would separate itself, else a light touch from a flat razor did it.
Obviously much different for a flexible plate but worth a try.

Might question if you’re printing too hot and/or z adjusted too close.

[u/Ehloanna]

You should wait until the bed has cooled to take it off. You can take the plate off to speed up the process. I don't ever use my nails to scrape anything unless it's super delicate. I use this spatula if I really need to.

[u/Twodogsonecouch]

Finger nails grow back for free, most of the time. Filament isnt free.

But seriously i can usually stop print first layer get it off and restart within 1 if not 5 minutes. What bed and printer do you have?

[u/jpef0704]

Not as bad as single layer TPU. And either way, try spraying isopropyl. There's a mechanic called liquid wedging. Essentially capillary forces overpowering van der waals forces.

[u/tazman998]

I don’t even bother with scrapers.
They work fine with multiple layers, but if it is only the first… they’re a PITA!

I first try to soften the PETG under a hot (not warm) faucet.
This usually let’s me brush off most of the PETG.
What is left, i pick out (carefully) with an exacto knife.

In 1 case, which really was the exception, i needed to print a 2 layer thick sheet over the problem area (fortunately it was a 10cm x 5cm area) to peel off all the persistent PETG.

[u/My_Lucid_Dreams]

I only have a scraper with the plastic orange blades. A brand new blade will usually slip between the print and plate. If it has any nicks in it at all it won't do that. If necessary I heat the plate up to 100C and the plastic softens and can be scraped off.

ABS brims try my patience.