How do you keep consistent first layers when your shop gets cold?

[Alena_Santeem]

It’s starting to get cold again here in North Dakota, and I’m noticing my first layers have become way less consistent. The bed is leveled fine, but it feels like the filament just isn’t sticking the same like sometimes too smooth, other times a bit lumpy. My printer’s in the garage, which probably isn’t helping, but I’m wondering what everyone else does to keep prints reliable once temps start dropping. Do you use an enclosure, space heater, or just tweak the temps every print? Would love to hear what’s actually working for you this season like I’m tired of restarting the same print three times in a row.

 

[allproto54]

I think garage printing in North Dakota's cold is killing your first layer consistency. If you can't build a full enclosure, try a simple foam board cover around the printer. It uses the heat from your bed to raise the ambient temperature. That should be enough to stop the cold drafts from messing up the adhesion. You'll probably also need to increase your bed temperature by 5C and maybe your nozzle temp by 2-3C to compensate for the colder air hitting the print.

 

[ep29030]

Take a look at Wham Bam. They have an enclosure in several sizes that is easy to set up and take down.

 

[KingCarnelian]

it’s definitely the cold air throwing it off. I’ve had good luck just setting up a cheap thermal blanket “tent” over my printer and running a little desk heater on low nearby. Makes the whole setup feel like it’s back in summer mode again. How cold’s your garage been getting lately?

 

[ep29030]

Amazon sells a nice little heater for resin printers. Go look up “Youyoute”. It’s $45, but works great. I am using 4 of them. Just set the temperature and forget it. I run it all the time. Been using them for 6 months without a failure.