this post was submitted on 04 Nov 2025
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New to 3D printing (my printer didn't even arrive yet) but I have a few projects I want to start with and I am unsure of the correct or best materials to use for them.

So here are three things I want to print for sure:

  1. Adjustable leg for IKEA BROR. This BROR rack already has a ton of stuff on it, likely in the 20 - 30 KG range so it would need to be a material that can stand that weight. It's also a garage so the expected temperature range is something like 30 to -5C
  2. Some counter top containers to hold things. One of the things I want to hold are laundry detergents. These can be a bit heavy and some detergent can spill, not sure if this can react with the plastic. Indoor use only so the temp range is like 25 to 20C.
  3. Mount plate for a post cap light. I will be screwing these into the post and then the light will lock on to them. The post cap light itself is pretty light however it needs to be able to withstand the elements (snow, rain) and also animals like raccoons and squirrels that might try to pry them off. Temp. range is like 30C to -30C.

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!

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[–] philpo@feddit.org 1 points 3 weeks ago

For a lot of technical things that need to keep stable I use ASA these days. While PETG and PCTG (I mainly use PCTG these days instead of PETG) are cheaper and a little bit easier to print, I have found PETG to be too UV suspectible over time - unless there are additives in it- and I had some parts printed in PETG and exposed to the sun indoors (exposed spot close to the window,but under pressure,like your desk leg) loose strength. While ASA is more expensive and a little bit more difficult to print, but there are versions who are extremely easy to print these days. (But get a proper exhaust / filtering solution) and I simply want things to "work" for a long time. ("Do it right once*-mentality probably) The mixture of the mechanical strain and UV+ temperature seems to be the issue and ASA tolerantes that better.

For laundry detergents PETG should be no issue, wouldn't use PLA,though. DO.NOT.USE.FDM.PRINTED materials for anything that touches your food unless you have done a lot of research. Don't trust the" no issues" fanboys.

  1. That's ASA. Most definitly. If you need more structural strength use something with CF. If that isn't enough maybe PC/PBT CF - but that is overkill..