Dried wet PETG using my print bed + cardboard box. Worked flawlessly for a watertight pool adapter
Had to print a 1.5-inch to 32mm pool adapter for a 320W pump, but my PETG was spitting and bubbling. Since I don't own a dedicated dryer yet, I tried the print bed method. It actually works perfectly if you don't overdo the heat.
The Drying Setup:
- Threw the spool on the bed (propped it up slightly on some cardboard scraps so it wasn't flat on the plate).
- Flipped an Amazon box over it, taped the edges, and poked 4 holes in the top so the trapped moisture could actually escape.
- Ran the bed at 65°C for 6 hours total. Flipped the spool over at the 3-hour mark so both sides dried evenly. No warping, no fused filament.
Slicer settings for maximum strength & watertightness:
- 0.20mm layers: Better than finer layers here. Fewer layer lines mean less chance for water to weep through under pressure.
- 245°C Temp: I'm using a hardened steel nozzle, so I bumped the heat up to get proper layer fusion.
- 30-50% Fan: Kept cooling low so the layers literally weld together.
- Aligned Z-Seam: Kept all start/stop points in one straight line. Super easy to scrape off with a utility knife, meaning the threads screw in perfectly without random pimples blocking them.
- Capped Volumetric Speed: Set to 8 mm³/s to give the steel nozzle enough time to melt the material thoroughly.
Hooked it up to the vibrating pump today under full pressure. Zero leaks, rock solid. If you're hesitant about the cardboard box trick, just make sure to vent the top and flip the spool halfway through. Saved me a chunk of money for a one-off project.
u/Awaycheap — 3 days ago