I thought I’d print some reusable spools, to take advantage of the better pricing on refills (vs, spooled filament). In a recent conversation on Reddit, some one pointed out that you can’t print spools from PLA if the filament has to go in a dryer, because the heat in a dryer can warp the PLA spool. I could use PETG, but reading about PCTG makes me think it may be a better material for this purpose. I’ve never used it, though. Is it any different than printing in PETG?
The first comment, few driers get to 65ºC and most that get hotter cap at 70ºC PLA glass transition is 65ºC. Generally PLA will be fine. PCTG is very similar a little less stinging and a bit better adhesion and impact resistance. All un necessary for the use. It is also more flexible hence the impact resistance. The ‘stronger’ comes from the flexibility. Much like saying a tire is stronger than steel because if you hit both with a hammer he steel will dent. Its not exactly taking everything into mind.
If you are worried about he temps ASA is likely a better choice as it is higher and less flexible. It smells so enclosed and filtration are needed. But one could say that of all filament.
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If you dry a PLA printed spool at a temp. high enough to warp it then you will start to fuse the filament together anyway. My dryer, the cheapest food dehydrator I could get, says it will go to 70C but it never gets that high. Even at 60C after a few hours, 6 to 8, it starts to stick together.
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