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hey everyone, I’m new to this forum and just thought I’d share something I’ve been working on - it’s a quick reference guide on the differences between printing materials PLA and ABS, for beginners.

Would love to get some feedback on anything you like or don’t like about it, and what other info you would like to have known as a beginner? I’ve published it at:

http://beginning3dprintingn.ipage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/pla-vs-abs-a-quick-reference-guide.pdf

please tell me what you think (Good or bad!)

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Hi @Beginning3d,
Thanks for sharing your work with our community, this one is a nice guide for beginners!

Federico

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Hi!
I really like the guide there, it gives some nice tips on the various materials.
However I think it would be good to mention that there are some other materials, such as nylon, or the Colorfabb brand PLA/PHA mixtures. They don’t need to be listed with lots of detail, but mentioning them would make it easier for new people to find those special materials.

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Hi,

Great guide! It’s probably worth mentioning that a good ventilation system is required.

Both ABS and PLA releases Volative Organic Carbon (VOC) which are potential health hazards. ABS has higher toxicity than PLA but both requires well ventilated environment during prints.

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I’m brand new to this - trying to design a one-off item for use at home, and considering what materials to use - and I found this really useful.

A couple of other thoughts: you could include something on price comparison for the materials and also could you give any guidance on what thickness of material to use in different circumstances (perhaps this is too complicated to cover easily).

Thanks anyway!

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Great suggestions let’s see what I can do! Thanks 3DSkelly

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Thanks billyljren I did debate adding fume information especially in the section around smell - will take another look!

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Good suggestion I might just add a sentence and maybe a link to another section that talks about this too :slight_smile: thanks!

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Thanks Federico, appreciate the feedback!

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Adding on to this, I’ll just share some experience being someone who has printed things for home use stuff like Hooks for my window blinds. I did a trial and error on the thickness and material.

Here’s what I found:

ABS gives you a more resilient and durable item. If you’re going to use this item where there will be hitting/dropping/knocking use ABS since it has a certain degree of elasticity. (mine was built with 5mm thickness, been under strong sunlight and rain for more than a year and its still strong)

PLA gives you a harder item but is brittle. Less suitable for items that will be moved around.

Just my preference, I think its better to use PLA when printing something for display and ABS for something functional.