AnyCubic Wash & Cure Machine - Anybody have one?

[parkrrrr]

Then there is a basket for builds you've popped-off the platform, with the caveat that they can't be smaller than 10x10x10mm. The basket is not going to work for me most of the time, and, frankly, leaving things on the platform has worked well so far.

I picked up a couple packages of these sink strainers at the dollar store. I haven't needed them yet, but if I do I plan to drop the tiny parts into one of them, put the other over the top so it looks like a tiny UFO, and clip the pair together with a couple of small binder clips. Then just toss the whole assembly into the basket.

Edit: alternatively, consider a tea infuser. I have one somewhere that's a metal mesh ball with a hinge and a clip to hold it closed.

[Chris333]

I use denatured alcohol from Home Depot.

[peteski]

I use denatured alcohol from Home Depot.

Also look for gallon cans of IPA99 (Isopropanol 99%) in your local hardware stores (ACE, Aubuchon . . )  Mine carry those in stock. If not, they can special order them.  I don't think big box store carry IPA99.

[Sokramiketes]

Yes, 99% seems to be available at increased cost.  I just miss the $1.97 bottles of 91% or 70% (for scenery glue thinner) that used to be everywhere in drug stores and grocery stores. 

[peteski]

Yes, 99% seems to be available at increased cost.  I just miss the $1.97 bottles of 91% or 70% (for scenery glue thinner) that used to be everywhere in drug stores and grocery stores.

If you calculate the cost of the drug store IPA (70 or 91%) per gallon, the price of the 99% stiff will likely not seem that high.

[bnsfdash8]

Along these same lines, man is 91% alcohol hard to find in Chicagoland these days.

If you can deal with the smell, denatured alcohol works just as well if not better. It has become my preferred thing to wash prints in since 91% has become somewhat scarce.   

[robert3985]

If you can deal with the smell, denatured alcohol works just as well if not better. It has become my preferred thing to wash prints in since 91% has become somewhat scarce.

I'm using denatured alcohol also.  Works great.

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore

[kryts]

i have had the original wash and cure for about a year and it works well,

I haven't had any issues with it gumming even when i accidently cure the wash.  although that does leave cured resin particles in the was that need to be filtered out

[narrowminded]

I got one a few months ago.  I have filtered the 99% IPA through doubled coffee filters twice, as it looked a little gray and have had no trouble with anything after 30 or so washes.  The propeller in the wash bottom spins as freely as could be and because of how it's driven with magnets no harm should come from it if it ever did seize.  I had some concern about that when reviewing the unit but that concern has been put to bed since I've had and used it.

I am considering getting a "pickle" container for a pre-wash to remove the heavier stuff right out of the printer but that's just an attempt to stretch the life of the IPA.  I suspect that bearing troubles would occur only with debris from an oops or allowing the wash to become visually dirty beyond anything reasonable.  I suspect that if it's that contaminated it's not a very effective wash, either. 

I give it a thumbs up for convenience if you're using your printer a lot.  It's not really necessary as the nail light and food jars I've used from the start have worked well but it is much easier and neater to work with.  And as the prices have come down ($70?) you may find a cobbled together rig might cost half of the price of the wash and cure.  At that point maybe you should just step up from the start.  Plus, the wash and cure will hold some value if maintained well.  Hope that helps.  

[Lemosteam]

The unit comes with an extra bearing for the impeller and the bearing is sealed, however i suspect that the IP will eventually break down the bearing's lubrication so a light oiling may be needed periodically.

I love mine and I use it with every printing.  I also have a larger silicone seal bath container where I use an ultrasonic bristle brush to clean further before curing and to bathe the platform in for cleaning. I use inexpensive bulk cup facemasks as strainers.  Good idea with the coffee filters!

[C855B]

... Good idea with the coffee filters!

Yes! I've been doing that for quite a while. Just acquired a bigger funnel and hit the office supplies store for the large filters, the ones that go in Bunn commercial coffeemakers. Makes the process go much faster and a lot less messy, 'cuz I was clogging the little #4s by about the third or fourth pour.

[Chris333]

So coffee filters work better than paint filters? I run my dirty alcohol through a paint filter and it still looks the same. It does catch some big stuff, but the alcohol is not getting clear.

[C855B]

Absolutely! I never used the paint filters for alcohol since paint filters are for viscous liquids, to strain out the chunks. I use them for dumping resin from the vat when I'm chasing failed runs.

The coffee filters work well, though they're not 100%. When recycling alcohol, I'll double filter back into original bottles (1 qt. in my case) and set them aside. Quite a bit of resin then settles out; white is especially bad for this. I decant carefully trying not to disturb the accumulated solids, also through a coffee filter.

[Chris333]

I just went out and got coffee filters and could barely get alcohol to go through them.

[wazzou]

I just went out and got coffee filters and could barely get alcohol to go through them.

Not all coffee filters are created equally.  Pay attention to the number.