gestalt
10 kW
bee said:I print the pulleys with a handle so I can dip them into acetone for 5-10 seconds which soaks into the tiny holes in the print and melts the plastic, strengthening the inter-layer adhesion, and smoothing the ridges off the outer surface of the part. After removing from the acetone shake off excess acetone, and blow on the pulley to evaporate any excess acetone quickly stop the melting (don't want to warp the print surface!) after a few minutes the pulley surface should be hard and dry enough to put it down. I've found that it can take a few days for the acetone to evaporate completely and for the part to completely harden all the way through.
I found this nifty way of using the acetone to improve the finish of the prints. might even make it stronger, regardless it would make the mold come out a whole lot easier when replicating the printed cogs with casting.

[youtube]Xj53P2YzYGM[/youtube]Their solution involves simply placing an ABS-based printed part in a mason jar with a few ounces of acetone on a hot plate. When heated to 90 degrees Celsius the acetone evaporates, but creates a cloud that is heavier than air. The cloud surrounds the model and melts the surface; after a couple of hours for cooling and solidifying the item has a mirror finish.