Maker's Tool Works filament is made to the highest quality standards in the USA.
PLA, ABS, and PETG filaments extrude extremely easily and consistently in 3D printers, resulting in fantastic quality prints.
PLA, PETG, or ABS?
Pros
ABS
- Somewhat more durable and less brittle than PLA
- More flexible
- More heat resistant
- Can be post-processed with acetone to a extremely smooth finish.
PLA
- Smells nice
- Generally easier to print
- More rigid, and springy in certain applications (can be used to print springs, and related mechanisms)
- Natural and compostable (in the right environment)
- Can be printed without a heated bed (though we recommend a heated bed at 60c with a proper bed surface treatment)
- Available in translucent colors
PETG
- Somewhat more durable than both ABS and PLA
- More heat resistant than PLA, but less than ABS.
- Generally almost as easy to print with as PLA
- Shares the both the rigidity of PLA and the flexibility of ABS and more. Can be used to print springs, and can be bent to extreme repeatedly without snapping.
- Can be printed both with fans for better finish and without for more durability.
- Available in translucent colors
Cons
ABS
- Warps badly without a heated bed, or bed set to less than 100C, and proper bed surface treatment.
- Some brands have a very unpleasant smell when printed (Ours doesn't when printed at proper temperatures)
- Not biodegradable or renewable
- Can have layer adhesion issues when printed in low ambient temperatures, cooled with fans, or exposed to any drafts during print.
- UV unstable
PLA
- More Hygroscopic, so it absorbs moisture (not a big problem, but can cause problems in high humidity areas. ABS can have the same problem, but it is generally less severe.)
- Lower melting point, so not suitable for parts that will be exposed to high heat (140F+/60C+).
- Very thin sections are more brittle (this is not a major factor for most parts)
- Difficult to post-process or glue, as most chemicals and glues do not affect it.
PETG
- Can warp if printed without a heated bed, or bed set to less than 60C, and proper bed surface treatment
- Can require attention during print as the filament can build up on the outside of the nozzle into globs, that need to be removed to prevent them from marring the print finish.
- Difficult to post-process, only affected by Dichloromethane (methylene chloride).
We generally recommend PLA for most users who are just starting out. It is easier to print with and generally more forgiving. If you need more ABS like properties, we recommend trying PETG first, as it is easier to print than ABS due to warping.
Recommended settings
The following are recommendations only, as those settings are based on use on specific hardware, and can differ in other applications.
Filament | Hotend Temp. | Fans | Bed Temp. | Bed Treatment |
PLA |
200-204C Do not exceed 215C under any circumstances. |
On. Max power, or more fans for intricate prints, bridges and overhangs | 60C | 3Deez, PVA/water mix, or glue stick |
ABS |
230C + |
Off. Avoid having any drafts in the print vicinity, or ambient temps below 15 C | 100-110C | 3Deez, for small to medium prints. Hairspray for all sizes. |
PETG |
230-245C |
On for better surface finish, Off for durability. | 60C | 3Deez, PVA/Water mix, glue stick, hairspray. |
Please note: The 3.08 pound weight noted above is the shipping weight including the weight of the spool. The actual amount of filament is 1KG (2.2lb). The color swatches shown are approximate.