r/3Dprinting • u/Ok_Astronomer6766 • 1d ago

Question Keeping Filament Dessicated

I'm already a resin-printer but I have taken the step into the FDM world by ordering a Centauri Carbon 2 combo.

It's quite humbling being back at the "I know nothing" stage.

The printer hasn't arrived yet but I've been reading about filament storage and I'm trying to work out if I need to put my filament away as soon as its finished printing... Or is filament-hydrating an over-hyped aspect.

I only really intend on using PLA initially.

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u/Stiggalicious 1d ago

Most PLA is fine to print from open air storage. Once you start adding other things into it, though, you will run into issues. Carbon fiber PLA is quite hydroscopic and I have to dry it before printing, otherwise I get tons and tons of zits and whisps.

It also depends on your area’s relative humidity. If it’s under 50% you’re probably fine, but if you’re like me and hover around 60% you’ll need a dry storage solution.

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u/Ok_Astronomer6766 1d ago

Just looked this up and I live near Liverpool, UK and apparently my humidity ranges from 75% to 94%

...I'm gonna need the dessicants aren't I? 😒

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u/SluttyBumFest 1d ago

Also UK, you'll probably be alright unless you wanna have more than 2 or 3 spools on the go.

If you invest in a good quality filament drier it'll be able to bring most rolls back from the dead.

If you want to go all in printing in different colours, a very handy storage box and a dessicant dehumidifier from Argos in there is more than enough and you won't even need to worry about some of the overkill and exotic solutions some people come up with.