Technologies

Best 3D Printer Resin

You’ll want a selection of different resins to make the most of your 3D printer.

Resin 3D printing is a little different from what you might think of as normal 3D printing. Most of the best 3D printers use a material called filament to produce prints, but some use reactive resin to create stunningly detailed models.

These printers use a special type of UV resin that comes in a variety of colors and chemical compositions, each of which can create a different type of end result. A lot of them are specialty resins that you aren’t likely to need every day, but it can get complicated when you’re searching for the right material. We’ve put together this helpful list of the best resins for you to choose from. The list will get updated as more resins are tested by our team.

Siraya Tech

Siraya Tech Fast

Best all-around resin you can buy

Siraya Tech Fast is the perfect balance of price per gallon and functionality. There are cheaper resins, but a lot of them tend to split or become sticky if handled improperly. Fast has been my go-to for the last few years and never lets me down when it comes to reliability.

I also use it for all of my resin 3D printer reviews so I know what each printer can handle. The smoky gray color is my favorite, but there are some amazing colors to choose from.

$37 at Amazon

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Anycubic

Anycubic High Clear resin

Almost glass-like quality

The holy grail of clear resin is to stay clear after curing. When you add UV light to clear resin, it tends to turn slightly yellow, making it look more like nicotine-stained glass rather than freshly made. Anycubic’s high clear resin resists the yellowing of other clear resins and, as long as you don’t over-cure it, will maintain the clear look of crystal.

Pro tip: After you’ve cured the model, spray it with several coats of high gloss clear coat to really make it shine.

$40 at Anycubic

Sunlu

Sunlu 3D printer resin (4-pack)

A great bulk buy

When you’re just starting out it’s helpful to buy a bulk batch of inexpensive resins to get your collection started. This four-pack of 500 gram bottles of resin can be mixed and matched so you can have four different colors, perfect for creating different effects on your models.

$49 at Amazon

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Elegoo

Elegoo plant-based resin

A great budget option

While Elegoo touts its plant-based resin as a nonirritant and safe, it is much better than any other resins in that regard. It should still be handled with gloves, respirator and goggles until it is fully cured.

It is, however, cheap, easy to use and gives reliable results for the price. I also like that the smell of resin is almost nonexistent with plant-based resins.

$15 at Amazon

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Anycubic

Anycubic tough resin

Make your models shatter-resistant

Resin can be quite brittle, and if you’re building parts that need to have stress exerted on them, a resin like the tough resin from Anycubic might help with its longevity.

The tough resin works the same as other resins but allows for some flexibility in the final model. This reduces the chances of it shattering into pieces like dry spaghetti.

$56 at Amazon

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Siraya Tech

Siraya Tech Cast

For jewelry-makers

One of the coolest things I’ve ever done with a resin printer is to make a cast for jewelry. I used some of this resin to print a Green Lantern ring, then took it to a friend of mine with a kiln. She wrapped it in plaster and fired it. The resin has a high wax content that helps it melt away, leaving a perfect mold behind for pouring silver.

This resin is not cheap, but if you’re interested in making your own jewelry and have access to a kiln, this may be for you.

$75 at Amazon

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3D printing resin FAQ

Resin 3D printing is a lot different from other types of additive manufacturing. It can be hazardous, but it is incredibly rewarding if you can get it right. Here are some of the frequently asked questions I get asked about the process.

Is 3D printing resin dangerous?

Short answer: Yes. Long answer: Yes, if you’re careful it’s fine. Touching resin with your bare hands can give you chemical burns, and the more you handle it the more likely you are to become allergic to it. I now have to be extra careful, as I get swollen eyes if any liquid resin touches my skin. It’s no joke. Making sure you’re wearing the correct protective equipment is of vital importance when using resin. Minimally you should be using Nitrile gloves any time you’re handling uncured resin, though I would recommend a pair of safety glasses and a respirator to keep the toxins away.

Can I use normal resin from Michaels?

The type of resin you might see at Michaels or other craft stores is not the same as 3D printing resin. Most of those resins are two-part systems that chemically bond when mixed. UV resin cures under, you guessed it, UV light. It only does this under certain wavelengths, though, so not all resins will work. You will need to use resins specially labeled as 3D printing resins.

What happens if I don’t cure the model?

There are two main stages of curing for a resin-printed model. The first is the curing that happens inside the printer when the UV light hardens a layer of resin to form the model. The second happens after the model is finished. When you first take the model off the build plate you still need to use gloves to handle it, as the outside will be covered in uncured resin. You will need to wash the model in isopropyl alcohol — 90% or above is best — and then cure it one final time in a UV chamber or out in the sun. This will harden the outer surface and make it safe to handle.

If you don’t do that second cure, the model will stay sticky and be unsafe to handle. Even covering it in paint won’t stop it from being hazardous to you and everything around you, including animals and plants. I would recommend a wash-and-cure system to streamline that process.

Can I 3D print something in resin that is food/body safe?

No. 3D printing resin is never food-safe. While curing makes it safe to handle, it is never 100% and ingesting any amount of resin is a big no-no. The best way to make food-safe products from your resin prints is to make a silicone mold of them and use that to make food-safe resin products instead.

Are there different types of resin?

While all UV resins are essentially the same, some have different properties that help you achieve different results. Standard resin is great for a lot of projects but can be quite brittle. Some have a lot of flexibility but don’t lend themselves to fine detail, making them great for more practical prints. There are even resins that can be used to make denture molds, so the uses are endless.

Siraya Tech Fast — the best overall resin on our list — can be mixed with other types from the brand to create different properties so you can buy the cheaper resin and mix it with a small amount of more expensive resin with different properties.

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for March 29, #552

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for March 29 No. 552.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

I immediately spotted the yellow group answers, but thought, no, that’s too easy. Spoiler: It was just that easy. If you’re struggling with today’s Connections: Sports Edition, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Hitting.

Green group hint: Texas teams.

Blue group hint: Goal!

Purple group hint: Play ball!

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Parts of a cycle.

Green group: Houston sports team, in singular form.

Blue group: Former U.S. women’s national team soccer players.

Purple group: Ends in an MLB team in singular form.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is parts of a cycle. The four answers are double, home run, single and triple.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Houston sports team, in singular form. The four answers are Astro, Cougar, Rocket and Texan.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is former U.S. women’s national team soccer players. The four answers are Foudy, Hamm, Lilly and Solo.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ends in an MLB team in singular form. The four answers are comet (Met), international (National), stranger (Ranger) and stray (Ray).

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Sunday, March 29

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 29.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword was a little tricky. The fishing clue, 6-Across, stumped me for a while, but it eventually made sense. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: Prepare for a weekend getaway
Answer: PACK

5A clue: So-called «king of summer fabrics»
Answer: LINEN

6A clue: Go fishing
Answer: ANGLE

7A clue: «Cut» command, on a keyboard
Answer: CTRLX

8A clue: ___ Ma, 3-Down player who has performed for nine U.S. presidents
Answer: YOYO

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Kind of bean in a burrito
Answer: PINTO

2D clue: More than a little irritated
Answer: ANGRY

3D clue: See 8-Across
Answer: CELLO

4D clue: Building toy brand
Answer: KNEX

5D clue: Like many wedding veils
Answer: LACY

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections Hints, Answers and Help for March 29, #1022

Here are some hints and the answers for the NYT Connections puzzle No. 1,022 for Sunday, March 29.

Looking for the most recent Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands puzzles.

Today’s NYT Connections puzzle is a fun one. You might recognize the four green group words right away. Read on for clues and today’s Connections answers.

The Times has a Connections Bot, like the one for Wordle. Go there after you play to receive a numeric score and to have the program analyze your answers. Players who are registered with the Times Games section can now nerd out by following their progress, including the number of puzzles completed, win rate, number of times they nabbed a perfect score and their win streak.

Read more: Hints, Tips and Strategies to Help You Win at NYT Connections Every Time

Hints for today’s Connections groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: You might spot these while driving around.

Green group hint: Everyone boogie!

Blue group hint: Certain silent letter.

Purple group hint: Zuckerberg is one.