Does anyone have a good source for ziploc bags big enough to store a 1kg spool of filament in? Some of my filament came with Ziploc bags, others do not. I like the bags so I can seal them and have some dessicant in with the filament.
Thanks in advance.
I picked this one off of Amazon:
Mainly because it included an electric vacuum pump. Previously I had the hand pump, but then I realized that I could use these types of bags for freezing food (they do come in larger and smaller sizes), I went with the electric pump.
These 1-gallon bags are perfectly sized for all the filaments I have purchased.
30 in a box.
I was buying 2-gallon ones as I thought the 1-gallon version would be too small, I was wrong, they are perfect.
I had been purchasing purpose made ziploc vacuum sealed bags specifically design for filament. I later found a better solution using the same technology buy perfectly sized for 1KG filament. If you do a search for 11.8" x 13.4" Sous Vide bags, you will find plenty of options.
These are the one that worked well.
I know you specifically said “ziplock”- but Ill post these anyway incase it helps someone.
If you have a vacuum sealer, these bags fit filament spools well. I cut them sorta long, so they can be cut open and resealed quite a few times before they are too short.
Do you use a vacuum pump with them or just seal the zip lock?
I have a vacuum pump from the previously purchased purpose-made filament bags, and it works on the Sous Vide bags’ valves. The valves are identical in both bags.
But, truth be told, I sometimes get too lazy to vacuum seal and just rely on the ziploc seal. This is especially true for filament I am just storing for a couple of days as opposed to storing for months.
For short-term storage, I simply throw in two 50g desiccant bags instead of the normal one bag that I use when I vacuum seal the bag. This is to absorb any moisture that the extra volume of air that wasn’t vacuumed out might hold. I have enough hygrometers, so it’s also not a big deal to throw one in with the desiccant bags to monitor the interior moisture. The fact is, two 50g desiccant bags will always bring the RH% down below 10% which is where my hygrometers can no longer measure.
A 1 kg spool will just fit in a regular 1 gallon ZipLoc, but the ends of the seals have to spread nearly flat and they often split.
The vacuum bags suggested by @MrDB42 and @Olias are a longer lasting choice. The plastic is heavier, the opening is a bit bigger, and the U shaped ends of the “zipper” prevent splitting. Whether you search for sous vide or 3D filament storage bags, they are sold in many combinations and quantities, with and without pumps. You want the 11.8x13.4in/30x34cm size. I’ve found prices from $0.75 to $1.80 per bag, but they all seem to be the same product. AliExpress can be a little cheaper, but some Amazon sellers have similar prices.
That’s pretty impressive and seems much simpler than dryers. Do you know which desiccant material is in them?
It’s simple silica gel. They are all pretty much the same with the exception of the colorant indicator that some use.
These are the two brands I purchased within the last year.
But I buy strictly on price because silica gel is silica gel. I test them when I first get them to ensure they’re not counterfeit. I use a mason jar with an inch of water, place the bag on a stand above the water, and keep it warm on a coffee mug warmer. I monitor humidity with a hygrometer to ensure it’s above 70%. I weigh the bag over 24 to 48 hours to see how much moisture it absorbs. Then, I dry it in my oven or filament dryer until it’s back to its original weight. If it passes these tests, I keep it; otherwise, I return it to Amazon.
Wisedry “claims” on their bag that they can absorb 35% by weight. The max I have ever done is 20%.
I should add that I had considered buying the desiccant in bulk bottles but it’s kind of a hassle and the 50g bags are so easy to use. But that is personal preference.
Everything I’ve found on silica gel is it can reach low humidity levels but doesn’t have much water capacity before RH starts climbing. Solution there is just more silica gel. But overall water capacity is pretty good at intermediate RH. Using packs without heat will dehydrate slower but sounds like your method works well. And it’s easy.
Also learned the blue indicator is hazardous since it contains cobalt. The orange indicator isn’t toxic, though.
I found a deal on Amazon for Elegoo filament that included a nice discount on filament storage bges + vacuum pump. Now I need to dry some of my lesser used filament and store it in the vacuum bags.