Glass Print Bed for Ender 3 Is a Huge Upgrade

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A few months back a good friend of mine and I were talking about 3D printing.

He had been printing parts for his daughter’s Halloween costume. I was telling him about how I had been struggling with getting my prints to come off the bed. It was always a fight.

“You need a glass print bed.”

He told me how it was super easy to get the prints off, especially if you just pop the bed in the freezer for a short time. I filed the knowledge away and continued struggling along with the default bed.

Broken Print Bed Becomes a Blessing

Well it wasn’t too much longer and my print bed actually broke as I tried to remove a print.

While it was initially frustrating and delayed the project I was working on, it was the perfect time (and excuse) to try out a glass bed.

So Much Easier to Remove Prints

Wow! I was so surprised how much better it was. Removing the prints used to take me several minutes. It usually involved banging, scraping, and frustration.

But no more. With the glass bed the prints are usually off in just a few gentle taps. It has been a huge quality of life improvement. And I haven’t even had to try the freezer trick he was talking about.

Which Print Bed I Am Using

I ordered this 2 pack of Comgrow Glass Print Beds from Amazon.

Comgrow Glass Print Bed Pack of 2

Here is my pros and cons.

Pros:

  • Super easy to remove prints. You will save a few minutes on every print
  • Inexpensive upgrade even for a pack of 2
  • 2 Pack in case you have 2 printers or need to stick one in the freezer briefly
  • Lower blood pressure when the print is finished

Cons:

  • The glass is extra thick so you can’t use the small clamps that came with the Ender 3
  • The clamps that easy enough to put on but can be a little difficult to remove by hand (very snug)
  • The thickness makes the first bed leveling you do somewhat difficult as you have to lower the bed significantly

Worth It

If I was to go back, I would buy these print beds with my first printer purchase.

No doubt it has made life easier and printing more enjoyable. Go get you one today if you don’t have one already and see for yourself what I mean.

Have fun creating.