When comparing Makerbot ABS Filament vs Proto-pasta Original Carbon Fiber Filament, the Slant community recommends Makerbot ABS Filament for most people. In the question“What are the best filaments for 3D printing?” Makerbot ABS Filament is ranked 4th while Proto-pasta Original Carbon Fiber Filament is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose Makerbot ABS Filament is:
Using this filament, it's unlikely you'll run into issues or have inaccurate diameters, given that it's a pretty standard ABS filament, with nothing remarkable or unusual about it.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Unlikely to create issues
Using this filament, it's unlikely you'll run into issues or have inaccurate diameters, given that it's a pretty standard ABS filament, with nothing remarkable or unusual about it.
Pro Supports "post-processing"
The objets printed with this filament can be subjected to some post-processing. For example, acetone can be used to "weld" multiple ABS parts together, for surface smoothing surface or to create a gloss. The process itself is a bit messy, but there are plenty of tutorials available online.
Pro Protective packaging
The filament itself is very precisely reeled around the spool, which is then vacuum-sealed in a film with a silica packet, and all of this is neatly placed inside a rigid cardboard box.
Pro Printed objects are very stiff and strong
This filament's resulting prints are very stiff and can withstand great stresses, perfect for when you need extra strength in your projects. This is due to the carbon fibers used in this filament, which are small enough to make it through the printing nozzle, but long enough to add rigidity.
Pro Allows to 3D print objects that can't usually be 3D printed
The extreme rigidity and stiffness of this material enables the user to print things that normally can't be properly 3D printed. It’s great for printing frames, supports, shells, propellers and even tools. All these applications are interesting for users that are drone builders, RC hobbyists, or similar.
Cons
Con Impossible to be used with a 3.0 mm extruder
If your printer has a 3.0 mm extruder, you won't be able to use this filament, since it only comes in 1.75mm form. For Makerbot, this is justifiable, since all of their hardware uses 1.75 mm.
Con Expensive
You can find equally decent ABS filaments for half the price of this one. However, getting this more expensive premium ABS filament may buy some peace of mind. But it should be noted that, given that these are simple standard ABS filaments, it's unlikely there will be a major difference between the results obtained when using this one and those obtained with most less expensive alternatives.
Con Requires a 3D printer with a heated bed
As is the case with all ABS filaments, you cannot print this filament using a 3D printer that lacks a heated bed. In order for the first layer to adhere properly, the filament requires high temperatures. Otherwise, it may detach from the bed plate. Kapton tape is also recommended, to improve adhesion.
Con Requires some skill to use
Since this filament contains tiny carbon fibers, it’s difficult to print with standard extruders. Adjusting the correct feed rate and printing temperature specifically for your extruder will be necessary. Note that it is also recommended to use stainless steel nozzles while printing this material, since it has been reported that regular brass nozzles may deform while printing this material.
Con Only available in black
Because it contains carbon fibers, the filament is only available in black.
Con Can only be used with 1.75 mm nozzles
The filament is only available in 1.75 mm diameter, meaning it can't be used with printers that have nozzles with different diameters.
Con No available datasheet with mechanical data
The lack of technical documentation makes this product almost unusable for academics and professional engineers, due to the need of having the exact mechanical values in order to justify design decisions.