Materials & tools
Store filament with a label you can actually use
Keep material identity, opening date and profile information with the spool through storage and use.
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Materials & tools
Choose, store and organise the things on your bench.
18 articles
Ideas, decisions & making notes
Materials & tools
Choose between PLA and PETG for an indoor model
Choose material around handling, shape and finishing rather than treating one polymer as a universal upgrade.
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Materials & tools
Read a filament spool label before ordering
Check compatibility, quantity and product identity before comparing filament prices.
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Materials & tools
Plan a dedicated space for resin printing
Plan the entire resin route, from unopened bottle to finished part and collected waste, before choosing a desk.
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Materials & tools
Choose hand tools for cleaning a filament print
Choose a few tools for accessible cleanup tasks and keep cutting forces away from delicate features.
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Materials & tools
Use a measuring caliper for model dimensions
Measure the feature you need, repeat the reading and keep measurement separate from design clearance.
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Materials & tools
Organise small screws and model hardware
Sort model fasteners by the information needed to select them, not only by appearance.
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Materials & tools
Choose glue by the materials being joined
Match the adhesive to both surfaces and test the complete joint before committing to the model.
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Materials & tools
Plan sanding without losing small details
Preserve deliberate edges while removing only the surface marks that interfere with the finish.
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Materials & tools
Make a small paint mixing station
Give mixing, testing and cleanup separate places so colours remain identifiable through a painting session.
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Materials & tools
Choose a cutting mat for model assembly
Choose a mat that fits the cutting task and leaves enough supported space around the model.
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Materials & tools
Keep a record of paint colours for a terrain set
Keep colour recipes, application order and dried samples together for a terrain set painted over several sessions.
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Materials & tools
Evaluate a filament sample before buying several spools
Use a small material sample to examine the features and finish your project actually needs.
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Materials & tools
Separate wash and cure tasks in a resin workflow
Treat washing, drying and curing as distinct documented stages rather than one generic cleanup step.
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Materials & tools
Plan a workbench around ventilation and cleanup
Lay out printing, dusty work and chemical handling around the controls each task requires.
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Materials & tools
Choose containers for unfinished model parts
Store work in progress so the next session begins with identifiable parts and a clear remaining task.
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Materials & tools
Decide when a replaceable nozzle is worth keeping
Keep a spare nozzle when it matches a documented need and the exact hotend configuration.
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Materials & tools
Design a material label for mixed project boxes
Put identity, process stage and cautions on the box so mixed materials do not become anonymous parts.
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