Choosing the Right Materials

Getting the right materials for 3D printing is just as important as choosing the right printer. Whether you're printing Beyond Space miniatures with resin or creating the game board with FDM, using the right materials can make all the difference in quality and durability. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to get started with confidence.

Choosing the Right Materials

When printing Beyond Space miniatures, choosing the right resin is crucial for achieving both great detail and durability. The right resin will make sure your models not only look impressive but also withstand regular gameplay.

Choosing the Right Resin

You'll often hear people recommend mixing resins to achieve stronger models, but this can be an unnecessary and expensive process. If you choose the right resin from the start, mixing becomes irrelevant (Some may disagree). Investing in good-quality, durable resins ensures your models are strong and reliable without the added cost and hassle of experimentation.

Not all resins are created equal when it comes to tabletop miniatures. It's important to stay away from standard, water-washable, and eco resins, as they often produce brittle or low-quality models that don't hold up to regular handling. While some might offer good detail, their durability is lacking.

For Beyond Space miniatures, you should focus on resins that offer a balance of durability and flexibility. A beautiful model won't mean much if it easily breaks during gameplay. After extensive testing, I've found that ABS-like, and even some engineering-grade resins provide the best combination of strength and detail.

Recommended Resins:

  • ABS-Like Resin: While commonly used, many standard ABS-like resins can still be brittle. It's crucial to choose ones that offer both detail and impact resistance.
  • Engineering Resin: For those looking for extreme durability, these resins provide excellent toughness and are ideal for high-impact pieces while still having great detail.

Essential Supplies for Resin Printing:

  • Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA): Needed to clean your prints and remove excess resin. Ideally 99% but 91% works as well. There are other alternatives to IPA that work well if you do more research.
  • Nitrile Gloves: Always wear gloves when handling resin to protect your skin.
  • Silicone Mats: Helps contain spills and keeps your workspace clean.
  • UV Curing Light: Cures your prints to harden them fully and make them safe to handle. We'll cover this in detail later on.
  • Storage Containers: Keep your resin sealed to prevent contamination and extend shelf life.

Sunlu ABS-Like Resin

Why I Recommend It: The best ABS-like resin I've found. This resin produces tough, durable models with good detail, making it a reliable choice for tabletop gaming. It’s also very affordable, which makes it a great option if you’re looking for a cost-effective resin that still performs well.

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Chitu Systems Conjure Rigid Resin

Why I Recommend It: This is the toughest resin I’ve tested so far, and it delivers exceptional durability while maintaining flexibility. It produces sharp, crisp details that are perfect for miniatures. One important feature is its minimal shrinkage, which is crucial for Beyond Space models, especially if you’re using the magnet system. If you’re looking for a premium resin that can handle heavy use and still print beautifully, look no further.

Another great alternative is Conjure Tough.

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Choosing the right Filament

For printing the Beyond Space hex tile game board, I recommend using Bambu Labs PLA filament. It works exceptionally well and provides reliable results for this purpose. While there are many filament options available, PLA from Bambu Labs is all you need to achieve good results.

Recommended Filaments:

  • Bambu Labs PLA: The recommended choice for printing the hex tile board, providing reliable and consistent results at affordable pricing.
  • PETG Filament: Offers added durability if you want a stronger option.

Essential Supplies for FDM Printing:

  • Print Bed Adhesives: Helps your prints stick properly and prevents warping.
  • Filament Dry Box: Keeps filament dry and prevents moisture-related printing issues.
  • Nozzles and Maintenance Tools: Regular upkeep helps keep your prints consistent.
Bambu labs Filament

Next Step: Preparing your Models for Printing

Learn how to use slicing software to prepare your Beyond Space models for perfect prints.

Preparing your Models for Printing