# New Form 1+ owner here. How do I test these printers?

**URL:** <https://forum.formlabs.com/t/new-form-1-owner-here-how-do-i-test-these-printers/25149>\
**Category:** Form 1/1+\
**Created:** [October 28, 2019, 9:26am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/new-form-1-owner-here-how-do-i-test-these-printers/25149 "2019-10-28T09:26:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 2

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**Author:** ![Marshall\_Banana](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/forum.formlabs.com/marshall_banana/32/13856_2.png) [@Marshall\_Banana](https://forum.formlabs.com/u/Marshall_Banana)\
**Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 10:19am UTC](https://forum.formlabs.com/t/new-form-1-owner-here-how-do-i-test-these-printers/25149/2 "2019-10-28T10:19:21Z")

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> [@moredillon](#):
>
> I’m super eager to jump into SLA and do what I have to do to get these printers going! I still have a couple questions I can’t seem to find answers to. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Welcome aboard. Here are some links that you might find useful:  
[Form1 retro guide](http://forum.formlabs.com/t/retro-form-1-guide/16904)  
[openmachines.xyz](http://openmachines.xyz)  
[Unofficial Form1 wiki](http://form1printer.pbworks.com/w/page/73436192/The%20Unofficial%20Form1%20wiki)  
[OpenFL](https://github.com/Formlabs/OpenFL)

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> I am mainly wondering if there’s any standard tests I can run through and benchmarks

You could try the laser spot test, but imo the best way to test a Form1 is to print something. That will tell you if your machine as laser or calibration issues.

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> I got at least 15 liters of resin, but I suspect/know it’s all from 2014 and 2015. A lot are unopened, and some containers are still in sealed black bags.

This resin might still be good, check this [thread](http://forum.formlabs.com/t/stranger-things-figures-from-black-v1-resin-dated-2014-results/25019/8). If you have black resin try that first and shake it before use. With OpenFL you have the option to adjust resin exposure profiles to tune the printing process for older resins.

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> I got 14 resin tanks in their boxes with various leftover resins still in them. Should I even bother cleaning these? Or should I toss them?

Try cleaning with ethanol, you also have the option to renew the PDMS layer yourself.

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> Cure box. Is it worth it to build one?

Yes, but first get something like the finishing kit (2 containers filled with IPA to wash your parts). Post curing isn’t that important with the standard resins, while washing is.

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> Is there any live community beyond this forum for Form 1+ owners?

Not one that i know of. But you can take a look at the [peopoly moai forum](http://forum.peopoly.net), a sla printer very similar to the Form1.

> [@moredillon](#):
>
> Mainly, I’m looking for advise and tips beyond the initial basics that you wish you had known at the start, or techniques you’ve learned and refined over time. Mostly with dealing with the resin.

Printing advice:  
Resin prints best when it is warm (\>=25 °C or 77 °F)  
Resin handling:  
I wear gloves (thick kitchen rubber gloves) and safety glasses when handling the resin to minimize the risk of developing a contact allergy. Also look out for propper ventilation because of IPA fumes and for some people the resin smell is pretty unplesant.  
In my opinion it’s useful to think about waste management a litte. I put wipes that are saturated with resin into sunlight to cure the resin fully before i dispose them.

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